Buying rules

You must be at least 18 and hold a 21ST AURA account to message a seller, save favourites or make an offer. Browsing published listings does not require an account.

An offer is a genuine expression of interest at a stated price in NZD. Only make an offer you are prepared to honour. Sellers can accept or decline, and you can withdraw an offer before it is accepted.

An accepted offer is not a binding contract of sale created by 21ST AURA. Whether a contract exists, and on what terms, is between you and the seller.

Keep your conversation on the platform. Sellers' personal contact details are never published, and we do not pass yours on. Do not send identity documents, bank details or copies of your licence through messaging.

Only you and the seller can read your conversation. Authorised moderation staff may access it when investigating a report, and that access is logged.

Every listing is badged. Buying from a registered motor vehicle trader gives you rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 — the vehicle must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match its description — and the trader must supply a Consumer Information Notice.

Buying privately is largely 'as is, where is'. The Consumer Guarantees Act generally does not apply, although the Fair Trading Act 1986 still prohibits misleading conduct by anyone, and a private seller must not lie about the vehicle.

If a seller looks like a business but is badged as private, report the listing.

• View the vehicle in person, in daylight, at a public or business address.
• Check the plate, VIN and odometer against the listing and the paperwork.
• Confirm the WOF and registration status yourself.
• Run your own security interest check on the Personal Property Securities Register to see whether money is owed.
• Consider an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report.
• Confirm the seller's identity matches the ownership papers.

21ST AURA does not run these checks for you and does not verify anything a seller tells you.

21ST AURA does not hold, receive, transfer or release money. There is no escrow, deposit holding or payment processing. All payment happens directly between you and the seller.

The deal steps you can tick off in your account are a shared record you and the seller keep for your own reference. A ticked step is not proof that money moved and is not verified by us.

Never pay a deposit before viewing a vehicle, and never pay someone who refuses an in-person meeting.

Complete the change of ownership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency so the vehicle is registered to you. Keep the listing, messages and receipts as your record of what was agreed.

Problems with a trader can be raised with the trader first, then the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal or the Commerce Commission. Private disputes are a civil matter between you and the seller, and may go to the Disputes Tribunal.

We do not inspect vehicles, verify ownership, odometer readings, damage history or finance status, and we give no legal, mechanical, finance or valuation advice. Listing content is supplied by sellers.