# Covered by law: used car warranty and your rights

Every vehicle Motor Traders sells to a consumer is covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act: it must be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time for its age and price. If it does not, the yard must repair it, replace it or refund you, at no charge and within a reasonable time. That right applies whether or not you buy any optional cover.

Canonical URL: https://motortraders.co.nz/warranty

## If something goes wrong

1. **Tell us first.** Contact the yard as soon as you notice a fault, with the stock number or your purchase date. The business that sold you the vehicle is the one responsible for putting it right.
2. **It gets put right.** The remedy is a repair, a replacement or a refund, at no charge and within a reasonable time. If that does not happen, you can have it repaired elsewhere and claim the reasonable cost, or return the vehicle.
3. **A serious fault is your call.** If the fault is substantial — one a reasonable buyer would not have accepted, or one that makes the car unsafe — you can return it for a refund or replacement, or keep it and claim compensation for the drop in value.
4. **If you cannot agree.** A dispute about a vehicle bought from a motor vehicle trader can go to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.

A plain-English summary of the Consumer Guarantees Act, not legal advice. The Act does not cover a fault you were told about before buying, or damage caused by misuse after delivery.

- [Consumer Protection — the Consumer Guarantees Act](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/consumer-laws/consumer-guarantees-act)
- [Consumer Protection — buying a car from a dealer](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/finding-the-right-car/buying-car-from-dealer)
- [Ministry of Justice — Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal](https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/motor-vehicle-disputes-tribunal/)

## Warranty questions

### Do your vehicles come with a warranty?

Every car comes with your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act: it must be of acceptable quality for its age and price, and a fault that breaks that guarantee is the yard's to repair, replace or refund. Optional cover, where offered, is a separate product with its own policy wording.

### What does mechanical breakdown insurance actually cover?

The covered parts, limits, excess and exclusions depend on the policy offered. Ask for the actual policy wording before buying, and compare it with the Consumer Guarantees Act rights you already have.

### What are my rights if something goes wrong?

The Consumer Guarantees Act requires a vehicle sold in trade to be of acceptable quality and to last a reasonable time given its age and price. That right exists whether or not you buy mechanical breakdown insurance, and it cannot be contracted out of on a consumer sale.

### Does the cover transfer if I sell the car?

Transferability depends on the policy. Check its terms and ask the provider before relying on a future transfer.

## Contact

- **Address:** 35 Noel Burnside Road, Wiri, Auckland 2025, New Zealand
- **Phone:** 027 252 4968 or 09 302 1668
- **Hours:** Open 7 days · 9:30am–5:30pm
- **Web:** https://motortraders.co.nz

> Cover, exclusions and excess are set out in the policy document. Mechanical breakdown insurance is optional and is not a substitute for your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act.