News Next article
Disclose Australian statutory motor vehicle write-offs
Motor Vehicle Traders must disclose if an Australian import was a statutory write-off in their Trade Me listing.
By Trust and Safety 21 January 2025
Motor Vehicle Traders disclosing statutory write offs
If you're selling a used car in New Zealand that was imported from Australia, you need to be upfront about its history. If the car was a statutory write-off in Australia, you must disclose this information in your Trade Me listing.
What's a Statutory Write-Off?
A statutory write-off is a vehicle that insurance companies have declared a total loss. This usually happens after serious damage from an accident, flood, or fire. Once a car is written off in Australia, it can never be registered and driven there again. Some car dealers then export these vehicles to New Zealand.
Disclosing a write-off
Motor Vehicle Traders selling cars on Trade Me must clearly state the following in the listing description:
"This vehicle was imported from Australia as a statutory write-off. Buyers should check the vehicle's history before buying."
You also need to physically attach a Consumer Information Notice to the car.
Why is disclosure important?
Failing to disclose a statutory write-off breaks the Fair Trading Act. This is because you're not giving buyers all the important information about the car.
Our top priority is keeping our members safe. We believe buyers deserve to know a car's complete history. This allows them to have the car checked for any possible damage before they buy it.
Author
