Buyer terms

These buyer terms apply between you and [Motor Match legal entity name, company number and NZBN] (Motor Match) when you enquire about, view, make an offer on or buy a car through Motor Match. They sit alongside the website terms of use and the privacy policy.

Every car on Motor Match is offered for sale by its owner. When you buy a car, your agreement is made directly with the seller. Motor Match is not a party to that agreement and does not own, sell or take possession of the car.

Motor Match is not the seller's agent and is not your agent. We do not negotiate for either party. Your offers are your own, and replies come from the seller.

Each listing shows whether the seller has told us they are selling privately or in trade.

Nothing in these terms, in the sale agreement template or anywhere on Motor Match removes, limits or modifies any right or remedy you have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the Fair Trading Act 1986, the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 or any other law.

Which of those laws apply to a particular sale depends on the seller. A seller in trade has obligations that a private seller does not, including providing a Consumer Information Notice. If you are unsure, ask the seller and seek independent advice.

Motor Match's own services to you come with the guarantees the law provides, including that they will be carried out with reasonable care and skill.

Listings are approved by the owner. Descriptions may be prepared by Motor Match from facts the owner supplied, and we take reasonable care with what we prepare. Motor Match is responsible for its own conduct and the content it prepares.

Checks shown on a listing are shown with their source and date. A registration lookup or basic check is not a full history, finance, mechanical or title check. We encourage you to arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection and your own checks before you commit, or to make your offer conditional on them.

Before a viewing at an owner's home is confirmed, you complete an identity check with our verification provider and a short introductory call with our team. The owner sees that you are verified, not your ID images.

You book from times the owner has made available. Please arrive on time, respect the owner's home and follow any test drive conditions, including holding a full licence and following the owner's supervision and insurance requirements.

You set your own price, deposit, conditions (for example finance, inspection or trade-in) and dates. The seller can accept, decline or reply with their own terms. Every version must be approved by the party it belongs to, and silence never counts as acceptance.

When terms are agreed, both parties sign the same sale agreement electronically in Motor Match. [The point at which the sale agreement becomes binding, cooling-off or withdrawal rules if any, and the standard terms of the agreement template: for the lawyer to finalise.]

Conditions you include are tracked with their deadlines. A condition can only be satisfied or waived by the party it protects.

You pay the purchase price to iPromise, an independent escrow provider, using the secure payment link in your portal. Motor Match never receives, holds or releases purchase money. iPromise's own terms apply to its service.

Funds are released to the seller (or the seller's lender, where agreed) only after the agreed conditions and handover checklist are complete and the required confirmations are recorded. If the sale does not proceed, funds are dealt with under the sale agreement and iPromise's process.

[Deposit rules, who pays escrow fees, and how finance company or trade-in proceeds are paid into escrow: to be confirmed with iPromise and the lawyer.]

Never pay any other way. If anyone asks you to pay a deposit or the price outside your portal, or sends new bank details, do not pay and contact us.

Handover happens as set out in the agreement. Both parties work through a checklist covering identities, the car, kilometres, keys and documents.

If the car is not as agreed, do not sign a clean receipt. Record the problem in your portal and it follows the agreed dispute route with the escrow provider. Nobody is required to sign a receipt they disagree with.

Both parties must complete the NZTA change of ownership steps that apply to them. Registration records do not by themselves prove legal ownership.

If you ask, and with your consent, we introduce you to independent partners for finance, trade-in, shipping, inspection, insurance or warranty. Each partner deals with you directly under its own terms and prices, which are shown separately from any Motor Match fee.

Motor Match does not give financial or insurance advice and does not make lending decisions. No partner product is required to buy a car on Motor Match. A product is only active once the provider confirms it.

Motor Match does not charge buyers a fee to browse, join, enquire, book a viewing or make an offer. [Confirm whether any buyer fees will apply, for example for optional services.]

A problem with the car is a matter between you and the seller under your agreement and the law. We will provide the records we hold about the transaction, such as the listing as approved, messages, the signed agreement and the handover record, to help you and the seller resolve it.

If you are unhappy with Motor Match's own service, please follow our complaints process, which also explains external options such as the Disputes Tribunal.

We may update these terms. Changes do not affect an offer or agreement already made. These terms are governed by New Zealand law.