Safe buying
Practical protection at every step.
ID-checked viewings, documented offers and independent escrow help buyers and sellers know who they are dealing with, what was agreed and where the money is.
In 15 seconds
Verified, signed, held, released.
Who you are dealing with, what was agreed and where the money is, from the first viewing to the payout.
Three layers of support
Who, what and where the money is.
ID-checked viewings
Documented offers and agreements
Independent escrow
Independent escrow with iPromise
See where the money is. Know what happens next.
Purchase money goes to iPromise, not to Motor Match.
iPromise is an independent New Zealand escrow provider. iPromise states that funds transacted through its escrow service are held in a BNZ trust account. Motor Match never receives, holds or releases the purchase price.
Funding confirmed
The deal shows as funded only when iPromise confirms the money has been received.
Terms and conditions visible
Both sides can see the signed agreement, the conditions and what must happen before release.
Release tracked
Follow the required confirmations through to the payout update. Release is never triggered just because time has passed.
The trust account is part of iPromise's service. It does not imply a BNZ partnership with Motor Match or a bank guarantee of the vehicle. Escrow does not check the car's condition or title.
How escrow works
How funds are held and released.
iPromise holds the money between payment and release. Motor Match shows both parties the status as iPromise reports it.
- 1
Agreement signed
Buyer and seller both sign the same agreement in their portals. It sets out the price, deposit, conditions and handover arrangements. - 2
Seller identity verified
The seller completes iPromise's identity verification. Funds cannot be released to a seller who has not passed it. - 3
Buyer pays iPromise
The buyer receives a secure iPromise payment link in their portal and pays the agreed amount to iPromise. The deal shows as funded only when iPromise confirms receipt. - 4
Conditions and handover
Conditions such as finance or an inspection are completed or waived by the person they protect. At handover, both parties work through a checklist covering the car, keys, documents and kilometres. - 5
Release
When the checklist is complete and the required confirmations are recorded, release is requested under iPromise's process and the funds go to the seller, or to the seller's lender where agreed.
Honest limits
What these steps do not do.
An ID check confirms identity, not intentions
It shows a person is who they say they are. It does not confirm their finances or that they will complete a purchase.Escrow protects the payment, not the car
iPromise holds and releases funds under the agreed process. It does not inspect the car, confirm its condition or confirm who owns it.Our checks are basic
We run a registration lookup and the checks shown on the listing, with their source and date. They are not a full history, finance, mechanical or title check.Your rights are unchanged
Nothing on Motor Match limits any rights you have under New Zealand consumer law. Which laws apply depends on whether the seller is a private owner or in trade.Good habits
Stay safe when buying or selling.
- Only pay the purchase price through the iPromise link in your Motor Match portal.
- Be wary of anyone asking you to pay a deposit or the price by another method, or to change bank details by email.
- Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection, and check the car's history with the providers you trust.
- Check the car matches the agreement at handover: VIN, plates, kilometres, keys and documents.
- Sellers: do not hand over keys or ownership papers until iPromise confirms the funds are held.
- Do not sign a clean handover receipt if something is wrong. Record it in your portal.
- Both parties complete the NZTA change of ownership steps that apply to them.
Something does not look right? Contact us before you act.
