FAQs
Who are you guys?
We’re proud to say that we helped change an industry by being one of the first companies to advertise cars on the internet. Our previous company was Autobase (which is now owned by Trade Me). We helped create Trade Me Motors by being the exclusive partner who managed the industry side of the business and we’re very proud of that. Autoport is all about making car buying more transparent and direct by using the internet to create a risk-free, hassle-free environment while providing standard protection through the Consumer Guarantees Act, the Fair Trading Act and our 5 day no questions asked money back guarantee (for cars with Buy Now under $50,000 - excluding electric cars or EVs).
What is included in the price?
For cars that are showing a Drive Away price from sellers in Japan or the UK, the price displayed is the cost to drive the vehicle away from the pickup point in NZ and includes the cost of the car, transport to the wharf, deregistration, export certification, inspection, NZTA check, shipping, marine insurance, customs, port clearance, GST, compliance, touch-ups, 12 months registration, 12 months mechanical breakdown insurance, $100 fuel, valet and hand over. All on road costs are included for you to legally drive away. However it does not include the NZ Clean Vehicle Standard charge if applicable (we will advise you of this amount prior to you committing to the purchase). The price will fluctuate with changes in the exchange rate up until the point you click the Buy Now button. Once Buy Now has been clicked the price is locked in and will not change for you. For vehicles being sold from sellers in NZ, you will need to contact them directly to find out what is included in the price if it is not explicitly stated. For cars that are showing a CIF price the explanation of what is included is displayed in the panel below the price.
What other costs are there?
For cars that are showing a Drive Away price from Japan or the UK the only additional cost may be the NZ Clean Vehicle Standard charge if applicable. The Clean Vehicle Standard is a fee that is charged by the NZ Govt. based on the emissions of the vehicle when it is imported. You will be advised of the likely amount of this fee, if applicable, prior to you committing to the purchase.
Can I negotiate the price?
For cars that are listed from sellers in NZ, the normal rules of buying and selling apply so negotiation, as always, can occur. For cars that are listed from overseas suppliers, the vehicle prices have been set based on the local value of the car in the seller's local market. When they sell a vehicle for export, they do not have the opportunity to make additional revenue on things like warranty and finance commission that they would normally make when selling to a local buyer and so will not discount their sale price at all if the vehicle is sold for export.
Are imported cars cheaper?
Whether imported cars are cheaper or not can depend on several factors, including the make and model of the car, the country of origin, exchange rates, local taxes and duties, shipping costs, and the condition of the vehicle. Some models aren’t available in a domestic market and therefore are only attainable through importation.
How long does the whole importing process take?
From Japan it usually takes 6 - 8 weeks to arrive in NZ. After that there’s about 1 - 2 weeks for us to get it through Customs, have it complied, registered, valeted and ready for collection or delivery. From the UK cars usually arrive in NZ after 10-12 weeks after inital purchase.
I have found a car overseas. Can you import it for me?
If the car you have found is located in Japan or the UK then absolutely we can yes and have done for many clients. We would load the car into our system and give you a Drive Away price so you know exactly how much the car will cost you before purchasing it. The car will then go through our normal importing process including being checked for quality in the country of origin so any issues can be highlighted. You will only need to pay the deposit to secure the car with the balance due before the car is picked up in NZ. Having offices in the UK and Japan, the Autoport process provides you with the security of importing your own vehicle without the risks of doing it through a broker who normally requires 100% of the purchase price up front and will have no security over the vehicle should anything go wrong!
Why would I import a car through you and not use a broker?
Simple answer - security, the price is the price and we do everything! Our process provides absolute security of your money and the car being purchased as well as providing quality checks of the car. The Drive Away price is the total amount you will pay. We only ask for a deposit to secure the car for you with the balance being due just before handover. All aspects of getting the vehicle from its point of origin, making it roadworthy, legally able to be driven on NZ roads and into your posession, are handled by us. Most brokers require you to pay 100% of the price of the car up front and then send your money to a seller in Japan or the UK. This means at some point both your money and the car you are purchasing are in another country with very little a broker can do if it all goes wrong. Hopefully one of those two things makes it back to NZ and if it is the car, that it is the actual car you thought you were buying!
How can I pay?
Once the price is agreed and you hit the Buy Now button we’ll invoice you for the total cost. To make it all happen we’ll ask you to pay required deposit. You can pay that by bank deposit or credit card or a mix of the 2. We can help you with finance if required.
Is my deposit safe with you?
Your deposit is paid into our bank account with our bank ASB. If you prefer to use an escrow service please let us know however it’s likely there will be a fee to pay.
Are my credit card details safe?
All credit card transactions we take are done through a specific credit card processing gateway in alliance with ASB. We never hold the details and we don’t see the details if you transact through the site once we have that technology loaded onto our site (phase 2).
Where do I collect my car from?
You can collect your car at a date/time pre-arranged with us from our base at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.
Or, if you prefer, we can deliver for just $75 within the greater Auckland metro district – that’s 30kms from CDB excludes RD addresses and islands.
Delivery can happen between the hours of 10:00am and 3:30pm Monday to Friday. We will meet you and give you a proper hand-over of your car. If you would like us to transport it to you, let us know where and we’ll work out a great price.
Or, if you prefer, we can deliver for just $75 within the greater Auckland metro district – that’s 30kms from CDB excludes RD addresses and islands.
Delivery can happen between the hours of 10:00am and 3:30pm Monday to Friday. We will meet you and give you a proper hand-over of your car. If you would like us to transport it to you, let us know where and we’ll work out a great price.
How can I be sure that I’m getting a quality car?
All cars advertised on Autoport.nz are from sellers in Japan and the UK, the exact same sources that NZ dealers import the cars they sell to you from.
The only difference being that you will be buying directly from the source, rather than through middlemen and other ticket clippers on the way through, saving you $$$’s.
On top of that, all of these sellers have signed agreements with us and are obliged to disclose any and all problems a car has, including whether a car has received structural damage in the past due to an accident, and been repaired.
If a car has accident history, it won’t be advertised on Autoport.nz. Therefore, we are super confident in quality of the cars advertised on Autoport.nz.
The only difference being that you will be buying directly from the source, rather than through middlemen and other ticket clippers on the way through, saving you $$$’s.
On top of that, all of these sellers have signed agreements with us and are obliged to disclose any and all problems a car has, including whether a car has received structural damage in the past due to an accident, and been repaired.
If a car has accident history, it won’t be advertised on Autoport.nz. Therefore, we are super confident in quality of the cars advertised on Autoport.nz.
Can I increase the warranty period?
Of course, as long as a warranty is available. You’ll have the option to increase the included Mechanical Breakdown Insurance to 24 or 36 months depending on the car and the insurance.
What guarantees do I get?
Autoport is a Registered Motor Vehicle Trader. As such we have to abide by the Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Motor Vehicle Sales Act. We automatically provide consumers with certain guarantees for cars purchased for personal use (not business use). We have to disclose information about each car and meet administrative requirements. But we go further by including a 12 month mechanical warranty on most cars and an internal policy to always provide the best possible outcome based on the age, condition and distance the car has travelled.
What is your money back guarantee?
We offer a 5 day money-back guarantee to all buyers of cars with Buy Now under $50,000 - excluding electric cars or EVs. This is great stuff, share it!
5 magic days to fall in love! Drive it as much as you want as long as it’s no more than 500km’s. But if the car is not as described, we’ll take it back as long as it’s in the same condition as when sold.
You’ll arrange to return the vehicle to our premises and one of our mechanics will inspect it. The inspection will be a full audit and test drive as it needs to come back to us in exactly the same condition it was in, when we delivered it – no “ifs” and no “buts”.
5 magic days to fall in love! Drive it as much as you want as long as it’s no more than 500km’s. But if the car is not as described, we’ll take it back as long as it’s in the same condition as when sold.
You’ll arrange to return the vehicle to our premises and one of our mechanics will inspect it. The inspection will be a full audit and test drive as it needs to come back to us in exactly the same condition it was in, when we delivered it – no “ifs” and no “buts”.
Can Autoport sell my existing car?
Simple answer is yes.
If you want to use your car as the deposit and pay against the balance of the new car, please contact us prior to buying. Once you have confirmed your purchase with us and want us to sell your existing car, you have a few options.
First option is that we can help you sell your existing car into the retail market, or even the wholesale market, while your new car is being shipped so you can get the maximum value for it.
Second option is for us to sell your car against the new purchase, but you will want to think about when that should happen. If you need your car until the new one arrives, you’ll want to receive your existing car when you can pick up your new car.
We are usually able to arrange a small personal loan against your existing car for the deposit so we can cover that off too.
As for value, we will give you an estimated value but can only commit to an actual value/sale when you’re ready for us to sell it for you. That is usually just before you collect your new car. We will manage the entire process to include the new car purchase, the deposit, the Sell a Car service value and the balance of the finance required. We will make it as easy and quick as possible.
If you want to use your car as the deposit and pay against the balance of the new car, please contact us prior to buying. Once you have confirmed your purchase with us and want us to sell your existing car, you have a few options.
First option is that we can help you sell your existing car into the retail market, or even the wholesale market, while your new car is being shipped so you can get the maximum value for it.
Second option is for us to sell your car against the new purchase, but you will want to think about when that should happen. If you need your car until the new one arrives, you’ll want to receive your existing car when you can pick up your new car.
We are usually able to arrange a small personal loan against your existing car for the deposit so we can cover that off too.
As for value, we will give you an estimated value but can only commit to an actual value/sale when you’re ready for us to sell it for you. That is usually just before you collect your new car. We will manage the entire process to include the new car purchase, the deposit, the Sell a Car service value and the balance of the finance required. We will make it as easy and quick as possible.
Can I get finance?
Of course.
We have partnered with several of the most progressive and trusted finance companies in New Zealand. We can offer personal loans and car finance to suit all types of credit situations. Rates start at just 9.95%! Beat that for car finance.
We have partnered with several of the most progressive and trusted finance companies in New Zealand. We can offer personal loans and car finance to suit all types of credit situations. Rates start at just 9.95%! Beat that for car finance.
I’m in business so does that change anything?
Sure, but you do have to be a registered business in New Zealand and prove that to us. Register with us as a business and accept our business contract (basically that you are buying for business use and therefore the standard consumer guarantees do not apply to the sale). Once done we’ll provide you with a username and login to our business wholesale site www.autoport.net.
Can I get GST back?
If you are GST registered you can claim the GST back in your next return.