There are many different ways to go about finding a second hand vehicle and not all of them are obvious. As a general rule expect to pay higher prices if you are buying during October to December as the southern hemisphere's summer months approach. Prices will fall again from March onwards. This is worth bearing in mind for buying and selling. If you buy during the low season and sell in the high season it is actually possible to make a profit.
Where to Look
The Backpacker's Car Market
This establishment has been running for many years and is specifically aimed at backpackers and travellers wanting to buy and sell cars, vans and camper vans during their New Zealand visit.
On the plus side -
- Camp gear for free - one of the great bonuses of buying from fellow travellers is that you will often inherit lots, if not all, of the camping gear you will need. Vans especially will almost certainly have a mattress, bedding, a cooking stove, pots and pans and crockery. In addition to these basics I have also inherited table, chairs, cool box, maps, books, tent, fishing rods and many more bits and pieces.
- Convenience - another major advantage of the Backpacker's Car Market is that you can do everything in one place – they will do a legal check on the vehicle for you as well as arrange cheap insurance and roadside recovery membership.
- Mechanical checks - the Backpacker's Car Market in Auckland is conveniently situated across the road from a garage too should you wish to get a pre-purchase mechanical inspection on any vehicle (but see also under 'on the minus side').
On the minus side -
- Vehicles are often overpriced and you could get an equivalent vehicle cheaper elsewhere
- Expect to pay over the odds for mechanical checks at the garage across the street
- Limited choice
I have bought 3 out of my four vans from the Car Market and although I know I have paid a little more than if I'd bought somewhere else I have also sold all the vehicles for good prices too. I have normally lost around $500 to $700 dollars on each vehicle - not bad for 9 months worth of accommodation costs. The Backpacker's Car Market is a good choice for the confused first time buyer in New Zealand. They can guide you through the process from beginning to end, on hand with advice through long years of experience.
Where – 20 East Street, Auckland (North Island) and 33 Battersea Street, Christchurch (South Island)
When – 7 days a week, 9.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Website – www.backpackerscarmarket.co.nz
Hostel notice boards
If you do a circuit of the hostels you will always find their notice boards full of vehicles for sale. These are nearly always being sold by fellow travellers at the end of their stay so, as with the Car Market, there is a likelihood you will inherit a lot of camping equipment.
You don't need to be a guest of the hostel to check out their notice boards. Hostels all over New Zealand will have these types of notices but as most visitors fly in and out of Auckland or Christchurch, the majority of vehicles for sale can be found in those cities.
On the plus side -
- Camp gear for free
- Lots of choice
- Sellers will often bring their vehicle to wherever you are to have a look
On the minus side -
- May need a lot of leg work to cover all the hostels
- Not the cheapest option
- Will need to arrange own insurance, Vehicle Inspection Report and change of ownership
Car Fairs
These used to be the haunt of unscrupulous sellers hoping to palm off unfit vehicles on unsuspecting travellers but all this has changed. Auckland's car fairs now offer on-site pre-purchase inspections, Vehicle Inspection Reports and change of ownership facilities which all make buying a vehicle easier and safer.
On the plus side -
- Probably the cheapest option
- Huge range of choice
- Convenient pre-purchase inspections on-site
- On the spot Vehicle Inspection Reports and change of ownership
On the minus side -
- Only once a week
- Usually no camp gear included
Where and when
Auckland Car Market, Saturdays 9.00 am to 1 pm, 72 Hasley Street, Auckland
Auckland Car Fair, Sundays 9.00 am to 12 noon, Ellerslie Racecourse, Greenlane, Auckland
Trade-Me
This is New Zealand's number one on-line auction and classifieds site which works along similar lines to Ebay. One major advantage with this is that you can start looking before you even leave home to get an idea of what is available and prices. If you don't like the idea of bidding, many of the vehicles have a 'buy now price' option.
On the plus side -
- Low prices
- Pre trip window shopping possible
On the minus side -
- May have to do a lot of travelling to see the vehicles you like the look of
- Not always huge choice in budget range
- Most of the vans available will have been used as work vans so you will have to fit your own bed
- Will have to arrange your own legal check (VIR), insurance, change of ownership etc
Other options
Trade & Exchange – another popular classifieds site www.te.co.nz
Adpost – www.adpost.com/nz
Buy, Sell and Exchange – www.buy-sell-exchange.co.nz
One last word of reassurance with regard to buying your own vehicle concerns the generosity and kindness which seems to be inherent in almost every Kiwi you meet. We have spent a total of two years travelling around New Zealand in second hand vans and could make a map entitled 'New Zealand Locations We Have Broken Down In'. I have lost count of the number of garages where we have turned up seeking emergency help, were instantly granted it and then often sent on our way with no charge.
We have found ourselves with a broken down van on many isolated roadsides and always, without exception, there has been a Kiwi to the rescue. On one occasion a garage owner in Taupo suggested we use his workshop and tools to replace our radiator to save ourselves money. The cups of tea and gentle overseeing of our work to make sure we were doing it right were thrown in for free. He also invited us into his home, fed us, supplied beers and gave us a warm soft bed for the night but that's another story.............
Deneice
This is a great post! It brings back memories from when I was traveling around New Zealand in a second hand vehicle. Such a wonderful country and the people are the nicest I've met. Deneice, have you thought of pitching/selling this article to a backpacker's magazine as well? It is really very useful information! Byuing a van is truly the best and cheapest way to see the islands. Unfortunately taking the van onto the ferry between the North and South island is very expensive, so buying two vans on the two islands seperately might be the better option.
Liesbet, thanks for your comments. Am new to XWATERS and finding my feet - never quite sure if I'm getting it right! Do you really think any mags would be interested? Any suggestions who?? You're right about the ferry costs - almost as much as buying the van. Never thought of buying separately North and South Island. Mind you, always find selling vans a little nail biting as tend to leave it until the last minute just so I can ring the last few days out of New Zealand and grab a couple of extra surfs.
Thanks again for taking the time to write something nice to me.