A series of fines have been handed out to people selling vehicles while unregistered amid a crackdown on "rogue traders".
A convicted scammer who engaged in fraudulent vehicle sales has also had a ban extended.
Three traders, Kahn David Ratcliffe, Kenneth James Cumming, and Richard Mark Wallace, were prosecuted by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment following a District Court ruling.
According to the ruling, a vehicle advertised for sale online – known as 'display for sale' – counted as a sale under the law. Anyone selling more than six vehicles in a year, whether online or in person, must register as a vehicle trader or face fines of up to $50,000 or a court-imposed ban.
Ratcliffe was fined $29,700 for selling 88 vehicles while unregistered, despite a previous conviction. In December 2022, he was fined $8000 for illegally selling 44 vehicles.
Cumming was fined $10,000 for selling 40 vehicles while banned. He was initially banned in 2021 after being convicted of selling 38 cars between 2017 and 2020.
His recent conviction was for sales between 2022 and 2024. MBIE said his fine was limited by his "personal circumstances".
Meanwhile, Wallace – a previously jailed scammer – was slapped with his second five-year ban after the court ruled he was not a fit and proper person to be trading vehicles.
He had previously served two prison terms after swindling around $230,000 through fraudulent vehicle sales, using aliases on Trade Me Motors. MBIE said his offending spanned "decades".
His ban runs until 26 July 2030.
Registrar of Motor Vehicle Traders Duncan Connor said: "Buyers are at greater risk purchasing from unregistered traders.
"If issues arise, they cannot seek resolution through the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal unless the seller meets the criteria as a registered trader."
He said traders who broke the law could expect to see action, and urged anyone involved in unregistered trading to stop immediately.
"We now have stronger legal backing to do so thanks to the recent ‘display for sale’ decision,” Connor said.
“Our priority is consumer protection and maintaining trust in the motor vehicle sales industry.
“These enforcement actions show our commitment to cracking down on unlawful trading.
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