Short answer: yes – but you can’t drive it on public roads until it’s registered and licensed. Below is a plain guide that covers rules, how much to register a deregistered car in NZ (what costs exist and why they vary), and exactly how to sell unregistered car without hassle.
Deregistered vs Unregistered (what do they mean?)
Registered vs licensed (“rego”): Registration puts a vehicle on the Motor Vehicle Register and issues plates (one-off). Licensing (often called “rego”) is the ongoing road-use fee.
Unregistered: never registered, or registration cancelled.
Unlicensed: registered but licence expired (not currently licensed).
You can sell in any of these states – you just shouldn’t drive the vehicle until it meets road-legal requirements.
But can you actually sell in NZ?
Selling a Deregistered Car?
Yes, selling a deregistered car is legal. Standard practice is to tow or trailer it (don’t drive it). Both seller and buyer should complete the change of registered person with the transport agency.
Selling an Unregistered Car
Also yes. The same principles apply. If the car is unregistered or unlicensed, move it by towing/transport, not under its own power.
How much to register a deregistered car in NZ?
There isn’t one fixed price – it depends on your vehicle’s type (e.g., petrol, diesel, electric), engine size, weight, condition, and whether it needs repairs or additional certifications to be road-legal. Costs are set by Waka Kotahi NZTA (as of October 2025) and inspection providers, with variations for location and provider. For many older or damaged cars, these can total $200–$500+ (excluding major repairs), often making selling a more economical option than re-registering.
Here’s a breakdown of typical costs for re-registering a standard private passenger car (light vehicle under 3.5 tonnes). These include GST where applicable; always check the NZTA vehicle fees page for your exact vehicle details.
| Cost Component | Typical Amount (NZD) | Notes |
| Warrant of Fitness (WoF) Inspection | $50–$80 | Required for most light vehicles to confirm roadworthiness. Set by inspection stations (e.g., VTNZ, AA); averages $60–$70 in 2025. Free re-inspection within 28 days if repairs are done. CoF (for commercial/rental vehicles) is $100–$200. |
| Vehicle Licensing (Rego) Fee (12 months) | Petrol: $144.22 Diesel/Electric: $212.84 | Ongoing road-use fee, paid at registration. Shorter durations available (e.g., 6 months: Petrol $76.44; Diesel $110.76). Hybrids follow petrol/diesel rates. |
| Vehicle Registration Fee | $10–$20 (admin included) | One-off fee to re-activate on the Motor Vehicle Register. Often bundled into licensing transaction. |
| Entry/Compliance Certification (if needed) | $37.29 | For modified, imported, or repaired vehicles to verify compliance. Not always required for standard local deregistered cars. |
| Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Levy (if applicable) | $55.90 | For vehicles with certain air conditioning refrigerants (e.g., HFC-134a in older models). |
| Administration & Other Fees | $9.10–$14.92 | NZTA processing fee; plus ~$4 for WoF label. Tyre stewardship fee ($38.24) may apply for first-time registrations. |
| Repairs & Certifications | $0–$2,000+ | Variable based on condition (e.g., brakes, tyres, rust). Common for deregistered cars; get a pre-inspection quote to avoid surprises. |
Total Estimate: For a basic petrol passenger car in good condition, expect $200–$300 (WoF + rego + admin). Add $100–$600 for compliance/repairs on older vehicles. Use NZTA’s online calculator or visit an agent for a personalised quote. If costs seem high, selling as-is (via towing) avoids these entirely – get a free quote from Cash for Car NZ.
Get a free no-obligation quote now
How to sell unregistered car (simple 3-step process)
- Get a quote: share plate/VIN, make/model/year, overall condition, and pickup location/access.
- Confirm & book pickup: choose a time; use towing/transport (no road driving).
- Hand-over & notify: show ID, complete the change of registered person; get a receipt. Payment method is typically instant transfer (or as agreed).
Selling a deregistered car vs re-registering: quick decision lens
- Time: Re-registration can take days–weeks (inspection, repairs, re-checks). Selling is typically same-day/next-day pickup once an offer is accepted.
- Cash outlay: Re-registering requires up-front inspection/repair costs; selling doesn’t.
- Risk: Re-reg can uncover hidden issues; selling eliminates that repair risk.
- Goal: If your goal is to use the car again, re-register. If you want a fast exit or repairs look uneconomic, sell.
Paperwork needed in NZ
▶ ID: valid photo ID for the seller.
▶ Change of registered person: both parties notify the transport agency at time of sale.
▶ Plates & “personalised” plates:
▶ If you’re cancelling rego because the car won’t return to the road, hand in standard plates.
▶ Personalised plates can be kept or transferred — handle this before pickup.
Vehicles with finance owing (PPSR)
You can sell, but any registered security interest must be cleared. Typical flow: request a payout letter from the lender; with the seller’s consent the buyer can pay the lender directly and remit any remainder to the seller.
Moving an unregistered/deregistered vehicle legally
Don’t drive it on public roads. Use a tow truck or trailer. (Licensed traders have limited use of trade plates, but private sellers should rely on transport.)
FAQs About Selling Deregistered or Unregistered Cars in NZ
1. What is the difference between a deregistered and an unregistered car in New Zealand?
An unregistered car is still on the NZTA register but its rego or licence has expired.
A deregistered car has been officially removed from the register, often because it was written off, abandoned, or considered unsafe.
Re-registering a deregistered vehicle requires a full compliance inspection, while renewing an unregistered one usually only needs a WOF and licence.
2. Can you legally sell a deregistered or unregistered car in NZ?
Yes. It’s completely legal to sell a vehicle even if it has no current registration or Warrant of Fitness, as long as you clearly tell the buyer its status and both parties complete a Change of Registered Person with Waka Kotahi.
You can sell it privately or to a professional cash-for-cars company that buys unregistered or deregistered vehicles.
3. What paperwork or steps are required to sell a deregistered or unregistered vehicle?
You’ll need:
- Proof of ID and a simple sale agreement/receipt
- A Notice of Change of Registered Person filed online or at an NZ Post office
- Number plates if they’re still attached (otherwise note that they’ve been surrendered)
- If finance is owing, you must clear it or inform the buyer before ownership transfers.
4. Can you drive a deregistered or unregistered car to a buyer or wrecker?
No, you can’t drive a deregistered or unregistered car on public roads.
It must be towed or transported to its destination, unless you’ve re-registered it and it has a valid WoF.
Car-removal companies normally provide free towing for these vehicles.
5. How much does it cost to re-register a deregistered vehicle in NZ?
Re-registration typically costs $200–$500 +, depending on the vehicle’s type, inspection results, and repairs required.
Extra costs apply for compliance, WOF, and road-use licence fees.
For older or damaged cars, re-registration may cost more than the vehicle’s value.
6. What’s the best way to sell or dispose of a deregistered or unregistered car quickly?
If your vehicle doesn’t run, is damaged, or isn’t worth re-registering, the easiest option is to sell it to a cash-for-cars or car-removal service.
They’ll buy it as-is, handle the paperwork, and tow it for free – usually paying instant cash the same day.
This is faster and simpler than trying to re-register or sell privately.
