The verification checklist every buyer should run, plus the scams we see and how to spot them.
Last updated 17 September 2026
Before you hand over any money
Inspect the car in person. Never buy sight-unseen from someone who won't meet you.
Check the seller's driver licence matches the registered owner of the vehicle.
Check the PPSR for money owing — a car bought with a registered security interest can be repossessed, even from an innocent buyer (Personal Property Securities Act 1999, Part 5).
Ensure it has a current WOF and the rego is active.
Take it for a test drive, and get an independent mechanical inspection if possible.
Keep all communication inside NewRide, where scam screening and records apply.
Never pay a deposit before you inspect
NewRide never handles vehicle payments — no deposits, no escrow, no shipping fees. We will never ask you to pay for a vehicle, and there is no NewRide payment-protection or refund scheme. Payment is arranged directly with the seller, which is why the checklist above is essential.
Know the scams
Freight-forwarding scam (targets sellers): a keen 'buyer' arranges shipping and points you to a freight company that you pay upfront by bank transfer or Western Union. The buyer and the freight company are the same scammer.
Vehicle-history-report scam (targets sellers): a 'buyer' insists you buy a specific history report through their link before they'll proceed. The link is a phishing attempt and the report site is fake.
Post-sale phishing (targets buyers and sellers): after a genuine sale, an email that looks like NewRide asks for payment or account details. Real NewRide email only ever comes from addresses ending in @newride.co.nz — and we will never email you asking to pay for a vehicle.
Deposit scams (target buyers): anyone demanding a holding deposit before you've seen the car — by bank transfer, gift cards or crypto — is highly likely to be a scam.
If something feels wrong
Walk away — another car is always cheaper than a bad one. Report suspicious listings or members through our disputes and reports page, and report scams to Netsafe, Cert NZ or the Police.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a car for money owing before I buy?
Search the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) before you hand over any money. A car bought with a registered security interest can be repossessed even from an innocent buyer. Keep a copy of the search dated on or before the day of purchase as evidence.
Should I pay a deposit to hold a car before I've seen it?
No. Anyone demanding a holding deposit before you've inspected the car — by bank transfer, gift cards or crypto — is highly likely to be a scammer. NewRide never asks for deposits and never handles vehicle payments.
Does NewRide handle payment or escrow for vehicles?
No. NewRide never handles vehicle payments — no deposits, no escrow, no shipping fees — and there is no NewRide payment-protection or refund scheme. Payment is arranged directly with the seller, which is why the verification checklist matters.
How do I spot a vehicle-history-report scam?
A 'buyer' who insists you buy a specific history report through their link before they'll proceed is phishing you — the report site is fake. Run history checks through official sources, never a link a stranger sends you.