Media statement | 10 March 2005

Don’t get stung! Notify your change of ownership

If you're selling a car, make sure you don't get taken for a ride. Don't get caught with unpaid licence fees, road user charges or other people's fines!

Selling a vehicle privately can mean more money in your pocket, but you need to follow a few simple steps:

• Make sure that you and the new owner complete change of ownership forms within seven days of the sale. If you don’t, you could be ‘stung’ with other people’s speed camera fines, parking tickets, licensing fees and fines for not displaying a current warrant of fitness or licence.
• Don’t let your vehicle out of your sight until the new owner has produced proof that he or she has put the vehicle into their own name.
• You and the new owner need to fill out separate sections of the vehicle’s Certificate of Registration to complete change of ownership.
• Send the seller’s section to the Transport Registry Centre; the new owner will need to take the buyer’s section to a Land Transport New Zealand agent. These agents are the Automobile Association (AA), NZ Post, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ), Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) and On Road New Zealand.
• If you can’t find the vehicle’s Certificate of Registration, you can get a change of ownership form (MR 13A) from a Land Transport NZ agent. The buyer can get a buyer’s change of ownership form (MR 13B) from these agents as well. Alternatively you can simply notify the change on the internet www.ltsatransact.govt.nz.
• You don’t need to pay for a change of ownership as the seller. The new owner, however, will need to show identification and pay a $9.20 fee. This will give them a new Certificate of Registration. The Certificate is not a legal title for the car – it is a record of who is responsible for the car and who is liable for licensing fees. Without it the new owner may not be able to get vehicle insurance or a parking permit.
• Once you have proof the buyer has completed their part of the change of ownership you can hand the vehicle over.

Note: If you sell your car through a licensed vehicle dealer or trader, they should notify change of ownership for you. Don’t assume this will happen, however; it is wise to check that they have done so.

For more information, visit the don’t get stung website http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/dont-get-stung.html or call 0800 108 809.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8822 or 0212 763 222