Driving
Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 09:27
Advice - New Zealand Backpacking Advice
Backpacker Car buying Advice
- Shop around, haggle and remember you get what you pay for.
- Make sure all warranties and guarantees etc are in writing and except nothing less.
- Make sure you get your car or van independently tested. NZBPI would only recommend the AA as a independent tester. There are no guarantees but a car or van that has passed a AA vehicle inspection test will give you a better chance of trouble free motoring around New Zealand.
- Ask to see any receipts for work done on the car. Assume nothing has been done to the car unless you see receipts.
- Ask if the cam belt has been changed. Cars normally require a cam belt change about every 100,000 km's. If the cam belt brakes you can do expensive serious damage to the internal workings of the motor.
- Before you start the car see if the motor is warm. If its warm it will start alot easier than a cold motor.
- Let the car idle and open the bonnet / hood and listen to the motor for a while. If you hear any knocking etc don't buy it.
- Check the oil. Make sure its clean and fluid. If it's thick and sludgy they could be hiding a noisy engine with a additive. If the oil is a cream colour defiantly don't buy it as its has water in the oil.
- Check the water. green is better, clear is good, Rusty is bad.
- Make sure you have a new warrant of fitness with 6 months until it expires. You will require a warrant every 6 months. Ask who issued the warrant, it is also written on the sticker. Warrants issued by the AA or On road New Zealand are better.
- Make sure your new car or van has no rust on any of the panels or underneath, mild surface rust is ok. New Zealand warrant
- Take a magnet, Place it on the various parts of the car. Any where it does not stick means it has been repaired with filler. It may have been in a big crash or rust repaired.
- Look in the bonnet / hood and check for any welding marks around the engine bay. Welding marks in here is not good.
- Check that the car has a good spare tyre and jack to change the tyre.
- Models like the Toyota Corolla petrol motors have a good name in NZ . For vans recommended are Toyota Diesel 2.7 litre and above and under 250,000 Km's. Stay away from small diesel motors. 2.5 litre and above. Remember also that dieses are more expensive to fix than petrol motors if some thing should go wrong.
New Zealand Drivers Licenses
Driving Licenses in New Zealand are issued and controlled by the Land Transport Authority (LTSA). For information about New Zealand Drivers Licenses visit their web site Here. You can start to drive in New Zealand at the age of 15 when after passing a practical and theory test you will be issued a learners license.
New Zealand Road Rules and Laws
All current New Zealand road rules and laws can be viewed Here. New Zealand's road laws are very simi liar to other countries except we drive on the left hand side of the road and few give way rules.
New Zealand Car Insurance
- Motor vehicle insurance is cheap compared to most other countries. In New Zealand it is not compulsory to insure a motor vehicle unlike other countries e.g. England and Ireland. It is advisable however if you are even driving a beat up old car to insure your vehicle for at least Third Party Cover. Some New Zealand Insurance options are listed below.
- Private Motor Vehicle Third Party, Fire and Theft cover suits people who only need limited cover for their private car but want to be covered for damage they may do to other people’s cars or property.
- Private Motor Vehicle Third Party cover suits people who only want to be covered for damage they cause to someone else or their property.
- Private Motor Vehicle Full Comprehensive insurance covers you for Third Party, Fire, Theft, and loss or damage to your vehicle.
Vehicle Licensing
- When purchasing a vehicle in New Zealand. Make sure that the Motor Vehicle Registration is up to date as you will be required to pay for any arrears on the vehicle, unless it has been de registered.
Buying A Used Car in New Zealand
If you are intending to buy a car in New Zealand be warned that you get what you pay for. We are aware of too many reports from backpackers about cars that just don't last the distance.
