Disputes when buying a car
If you've bought a vehicle and something goes wrong, your rights depend on if you bought it from a motor vehicle trader or privately.
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Buying from a trader
You’re covered if you buy a vehicle from a trader, even if you’ve bought from an auction or online. Dealers must identify themselves as traders online.
Find out about common problems, your rights and what to do:
Solving issues with your car dealer
You can complain to the Commerce Commission if you think the trader has misled you or their adverts made false claims — but you cannot complain to them about faulty vehicles.
Complain to the Commerce Commission
Buying a car privately
If you buy a car from a private person, you’re not covered by the same laws that cover buying from traders.
Solving issues with your private seller
Utility links and page information
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