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By MAS Team
Whether it’s your first car or you’re getting back behind the wheel after a stint on public transport, owning a car is exciting and a little daunting. If you’re still searching for the right vehicle, our essential guide to buying a car has you covered. But once the purchase is done, a whole new chapter begins.
The thing nobody hands you with the keys is a guide to actually owning the car. Regular attention, a basic understanding of how things work and knowing when to act on something unusual can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress. This guide covers everything from simple monthly checks and WOF preparation to servicing, warranties, insurance and roadside assistance.
Your owner’s manual is the most underrated document in your glovebox. It tells you the correct oil grade, the right tyre pressure for your specific model, your service intervals and what every warning light means. If your car didn’t come with one, search the model and year on the manufacturer’s website – most are available as free PDF downloads.
A couple things worth committing to memory the moment you take ownership:
You don’t need to be a mechanic to keep your car in good shape. A quick walk-around once a month catches most issues before they become expensive ones.
Tread depth: The legal minimum in New Zealand is 1.5mm. An easy check is to place a 20-cent coin in the groove with the ‘20’ facing down. If you can see the top of the number, it’s time for new tyres.
Pressure: Always check when the tyres are cold, before driving more than a couple of kilometres. Your correct PSI is on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb or in your manual. Most petrol stations have free air pumps.
Low oil is one of the fastest ways to cause serious engine damage. Check it monthly: park on a flat surface, let the engine cool for 10 minutes, pull the dipstick (usually yellow or orange), wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it out again. The level should sit between the min and max marks. Fresh oil is amber, very dark oil is overdue for a change and milky or frothy oil could mean coolant is leaking into the engine – get that checked urgently. Always use the grade specified in your manual.
Coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid all have clearly labelled reservoirs under the bonnet – your manual shows exactly where. Coolant and brake fluid should sit between min and max marks. A consistently low coolant level can mean a leak, a sudden drop in brake fluid is urgent. Use proper washer fluid, not plain water.
Check all your lights monthly: headlights (low and high beam), indicators, brake lights and reverse lights. A blown bulb is a WOF fail and potentially a fine. Replace them promptly, most are easy and inexpensive to do yourself.
Signs they need replacing are streaking, squeaking or chattering. Wipers typically last 6–12 months in NZ conditions. Replacing them takes about five minutes: buy the correct blades for your make and model, lift the arm, press the release tab, slide the old blade off and click the new one in. Lower the arm gently — don’t let it snap back, as it can crack the glass.
A Warrant of Fitness (WOF) confirms your vehicle meets minimum road safety standards, as required by Waka Kotahi NZTA. It’s your legal responsibility to always have a valid WOF, driving without one can result in a $200 fine.
How often you need one depends on the vehicle’s age:
A basic WOF costs $50–$100. If you fail, you can’t drive until repairs are done – most providers offer a free re-check within 28 days if repairs are completed with them. The inspection covers tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen, steering, suspension, seatbelts, body condition, exhaust and speedometer. It’s a safety check only so it doesn’t assess your engine, gearbox or clutch.
Most new cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty covering mechanical and electrical defects – typically 3 years or 100,000km, whichever comes first, though this varies by brand. To keep it valid, service at the intervals in your manual, use the correct oil grade and keep all invoices. Using an independent mechanic won’t automatically void your warranty under NZ law, but check your specific terms.
If you bought a used car from a dealer, you’re protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) regardless of any written warranty. Under the CGA, Consumer Protection NZ confirms there are no fixed time limits. Dealers can’t limit your right to seek a remedy and ‘as is where is’ doesn’t remove your rights when buying from a registered dealer. If you bought privately, the CGA doesn’t apply – one reason private sales carry more risk.
Many dealers offer extended warranties at the point of sale. Consumer Protection NZ says these are usually not worth it when buying from a dealer, because you’re already covered by the CGA. If you do consider one, read the exclusions carefully. Either way, keep a full service history – it supports warranty claims and adds real resale value.
A minor service covers an oil and filter change, fluid checks, a tyre inspection and a general safety check. A major service goes further including air filter, spark plugs (if applicable), brake inspection and a more thorough system check. Your manual will specify the schedule, typically every 10,000–15,000km or annually, whichever comes first. Even if you do low mileage, annual servicing matters because fluids and seals degrade over time regardless of distance.
Build a relationship with a good mechanic before you urgently need one. Look for mechanics registered with the Motor Trade Association (MTA), this is a sign of accountability to a professional code of conduct. A trustworthy mechanic gives you a written quote before starting work and won’t pressure you into non-urgent repairs. If you’re unsure about a quote, get a second opinion.
Keeping your car clean isn’t just cosmetic. It protects the paint, slows rust and maintains resale value – especially in New Zealand’s coastal and high-UV environment.
Use car shampoo and the two-bucket method (one soapy, one clean rinse) to avoid scrubbing grit back into the paint. Never use dish soap, it strips wax and damages the clear coat. Dry with a microfibre cloth to prevent water spots. Coastal and gravel road drivers should wash more frequently and always hose down the undercarriage, salt spray and road grit accelerate rust fast.
Inside, vacuum and wipe down every few weeks. Apply UV protectant spray to the dashboard every couple of months, New Zealand has one of the highest UV indexes in the world and it causes dashboards to crack and fade over time. Clean the inside of your windows too, interior grime reduces visibility more than you’d expect – especially at night.
If you drive an EV or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), road user charges (RUC) are a running cost that catches a lot of new owners off guard. Petrol vehicles pay road funding through fuel excise duty at the pump. EVs and PHEVs don’t use petrol, so they pay separately through RUC instead. You pre-pay in blocks of 1,000km via the NZTA website or at an NZTA agent, and display the licence sticker on your windscreen. Your odometer is checked at every WOF, so driving without a current RUC licence is an offence.
Current rates confirmed by NZTA:
Always stay ahead of your odometer – running out is an offence, not just an admin issue. If you’re buying a used EV, confirm the seller has a valid RUC licence in place. Any unpaid RUC transfers to your name once the car is yours.
In New Zealand, car insurance isn't compulsory, but driving without it is a real financial risk. If you cause an accident uninsured, you could be personally liable for the full cost of repairing someone else’s vehicle or property.
Premiums can be affected by the age and value of your vehicle, your driving history, where the car is parked overnight and whether young drivers are on the policy.
Even the most well-maintained car can leave you stranded. A flat battery, a puncture in the rain, keys locked inside – these things happen to everyone eventually. A good roadside assistance service covers battery jump-starts, tyre changes, fuel delivery, lockout help, towing to the nearest repairer, EV charging assistance and wrong fuel recovery.
From 1 April 2026, MAS Motor Vehicle Insurance policyholders with an eligible vehicle insured under comprehensive cover automatically have MAS Roadside Assistance, provided by AA Roadservice built into their policy at no extra cost, with nothing to sign up for. Save 0800 800 627 in your phone now, before you need it. For a full guide on handling specific breakdown scenarios, read our guide to what to do when your car breaks down – worth bookmarking before something goes wrong.
Eligibility criteria apply to MAS Roadside Assistance provided by AA Roadservice, see terms and conditions for more information. There is no applicable excess to use any standard AA Services. However, some of the services that require additional support or technical assistance outside of the standard AA Services may require an up-front cost to be covered by the Driver.
This article provides general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice. Before taking out any insurance product, you should carefully consider the terms and specific policy wording. Underwriting criteria will apply.
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