Owning a car in New Zealand comes with legal responsibilities and ongoing costs. This guide breaks down what you need to know in simple terms, including vehicle registration (Rego), Warrant of Fitness (WoF) rules, insurance, and maintenance.
By being aware, following these regulations, adopting proactive vehicle maintenance practices, car owners can minimise costs, avoid fines, and extend your vehicle’s lifespan.
1. Vehicle Registration
All cars driven on NZ roads must be registered with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). This can be done at AA, VINZ or VTNZ. This is a one-off exercise and cost to get your vehicle’s details on the Motor Vehicle Register. This is when your number plates are issued. After which, it needs to be licensed to remain on the road. The cost depends on the type of car and its CC rating. At the point of registering your vehicle you will also need to pay for 6 or 12 months of licensing at the same time.
Petrol vehicles have the lowest fees which range from $181.33 (6 months for vehicles less than 1,300cc) to $426.61 (12 months for vehicles above 4,001cc) while diesel vehicles have higher fees which range from $215.24 (6 months for vehicles less than 1,300cc) to $494.44 (12 months for vehicles above 4,001cc). Electric vehicles fall somewhere in between at $202.03 for 6 months and $265.61 for 12 months.
What you need to do:
Register your vehicle if it has not been registered before or it had been cancelled
Pay your licensing fees for 6 months or 12 months
Notify NZTA within 7 days if you change your address or sell the car
How to save on your car registration costs:
Avoid a $200 fine for failing to have a valid vehicle registration. This can be issued by the police and also by your local parking wardens when parked on public roads.
Owning and registering a petrol vehicle that has a lower cc rating will result in cheaper registration fees.
2. Vehicle Licensing
Your regular vehicle licensing also known as getting your “rego” is usually a quarterly, half yearly or yearly exercise for most car owners. This can be done online via NZTA or at your local NZ Post shop. To find out when your vehicle license/rego expires, you can use Rightcar.
How to save on car licensing (rego) costs:
Paying your rego yearly can save you roughly 20% compared to paying quarterly.
Setting a reminder to avoid forgetting to keep your rego up to date. Use an app such as NZTA Waka Kotahi app or Gaspy to make it easy for you.
Avoid a $200 fine for not having a valid rego. This can be issued by the police and also by your local parking wardens when parked on public roads.
Owning a petrol or electric vehicle incurs a lower rego fee (diesels cost 50% more).
3. Warrant of Fitness (WoF)
A valid and up-to-date Warrant of Fitness confirms your car is safe to drive. This is an inspection carried out by a certified mechanic. It is not only a legal requirement but it also gives the car owners and passengers a peace of mind knowing the vehicle is safe to drive.
The cost of a WoF varies but is typically between $40 and $100. At the time of writing this article, AA has it priced at $76 for members and $85 for non-members which is the same as VTNZ. Tony’s Tyre has it priced at $39 currently.
If your car fails the WoF inspection, it will need repair work to be done in order for it to be re-assessed and passed. You will be told what the issue is and you will need to fix it before getting a valid WoF.
What you need to do:
If your car was first registered after 2000, get a WoF inspection every year.
If your car was first registered pre-2000, get a WoF every 6 months.
For newly registered cars, it is issued with a 3-year initial WoF.
How to save on Warrant of Fitness costs:
Setting a reminder to avoid forgetting to keep your WoF up to date. Use an app such as NZTA Waka Kotahi or Gaspy to make it easy for you.
Avoid a $200 fine for failing to have a valid WoF. This can be issued by the police and also by your local parking wardens when parked on public roads.
Shop around for a deal on your WoF. Look out for offers from your local mechanic, car dealership or even AA. Deal websites or Entertainment Book may have WoF offers.
4. Car Insurance in NZ
While car insurance is not legally required in New Zealand, it has been reported that 90% or more of car owners have some form of insurance. Comprehensive insurance is still the most popular form of car insurance in New Zealand.
The average cost of car insurance in New Zealand is $1,325 (based on Q4 2024 data from Quashed). Depending on where you are in New Zealand, your car insurance costs can vary. Across the major regions, Auckland ranks as the most expensive at an average cost of $1,600 while Wellington the least at $1,155. Canterbury sits in the middle at $1,230.
Not having a valid Vehicle Registration (rego) and/or Warrant of Fitness (WoF) can render your insurance invalid. This means that if you are in an accident or are trying to make a claim, your insurer could deny the claim if you don’t have an up-to-date registration or WoF.
What you need to do:
Consider if you can afford to repair or replace your vehicle in the event it is damaged in a car accident or if it was stolen (if not, consider comprehensive car insurance)
Consider if you want to take the risk of repairing or replacing a third party’s car in the event you were at fault in an accident (if not, consider third party insurance at a minimum)
How to save on car insurance:
Shop your insurance with Quashed.co.nz (could save on average $460).
Increasing your excess from $500 to $1,000 could reduce your premiums by 10-15%.
Adjusting your sum insured to reflect current market value could reduce your premiums significantly.
Consider a lower tier of insurance e.g. 3rd party, fire & theft instead of comprehensive.
5. Car Maintenance and Servicing
While not a legal requirement, ongoing car servicing and maintenance is a crucial part of car ownership. Regular servicing and maintenance helps to extend the life of the car – which is often one of the most expensive things most Kiwis will own.
The cost of servicing your vehicle will vary based on the year, make and model and also where you can get your car serviced. Basic servicing for a car covering oil changes, fluid top-ups and safety checks average $200 while more comprehensive servicing can cost upwards of $500.
What you need to do:
Check when was the last time you had your car serviced
Shop around and complete a service for your vehicle
How to save on car maintenance and servicing:
Regularly service your vehicle (once a year) instead of waiting till something breaks.
Shop around for a deal on your servicing. Look out for offers from your local mechanic, car dealership or even AA. Deal websites or Entertainment Book may have WoF offers.
Here is a breakdown of the costs for a 2020 Toyota Corolla car owner
Here’s what you can expect to pay annually for owning a 2020 Toyota Corolla in Auckland
Car Ownership Expense | Cost (2025) | Notes |
Licensing (rego) | $135.84 | Includes ACC levy |
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) | $70 | Average cost in Auckland |
Car insurance (comprehensive) | $1,600 | Average cost in Auckland |
Basic service | $250 | Oil change, fluids & safety check |
Fuel | $1,800 | Based on 12,000 km/year @ $2.50/l |
Miscellaneous | $500 | Parking, tolls, car washes, etc. |
Yearly cost of car ownership | $4,355.84 |
By considering and following the steps above, you’ll avoid fines, keep your car running smoothly and save you money over time. On top of that, you’ll get a peace of mind.
Shopping for car insurance with Quashed.co.nz
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Further Reading
Check out these related articles:
Motor Insurance NZ Guide – A complete overview of car insurance in NZ.
What Car Insurance Covers – Explains what’s included and excluded in policies.
Debunking Car Insurance Myths – Busting common car insurance misconceptions.
Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive? – Factors that drive up car insurance costs.
The Average Cost of Insurance in NZ – Breakdown of insurance costs across NZ.
FAQs
How much does a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) cost in NZ?
On average, WoF costs between $50 and $100. In March 2025, a WoF costs $85 at AA (for non-members) and VTNZ. Tony's Tyres are advertising a $39 special.
Where can I get a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) done?
There are over 3,000 WoF agents across the country in New Zealand. Common places to get it done includes AA service centres, VTNZ, VINZ, Pit Stop and more. There are also mobile WoF service providers that will come to you.
Can I drive without a valid WoF?
A Warrant of Fitness tells you that your car is still roadworthy and safe to drive. Driving without a valid WoF not only subjects you to a fine of $200, but also puts you and those in your vehicle at greater risk if your vehicle is unsafe. Your insurance policy may also not be valid (i.e. you cannot claim) in the case of an accident.
How often do I need to get a WoF done?
For most light passenger vehicles in New Zealand, this is once a year (if your vehicle was first registered after 2000). If your vehicle is older (i.e. pre 2000), you will need a WoF done every 6 months. For brand new vehicles, your WoF should be valid for 3 years.
How often do I need to renew my rego (vehicle licensing)?
This is commonly renewed for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months although it can be done in months. Purchasing your rego for 12 months will save you roughly 20% compared to renewing it for 3 months.
How do I check when my rego is renewing?
You can do this via NZTA's online "Check expiry query" service or via Rightcar. If you have the NZTA Waka Kotahi app, it will also tell you this information and keep you updated on when you have an upcoming expiry for your vehicle.
Where can I renew my rego?
This can be done online via NZTA's online "Renewal of vehicle licence (rego)" service or at your local NZ Post shop.
How much does renewing my vehicle license (rego) cost?
It ranges from $40.47 (3 months) to $203.67 (12 months) for a common passenger vehicle and it depends on whether your vehicle is petrol, diesel or electric. For a full breakdown, check out NZTA's website.
This article by Quashed provides general information only. It does not constitute insurance or financial advice. For full details, refer to Quashed’s terms and conditions.
