Guide
How The Wreck Auctions works
New Zealand's online vehicle auction marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers with transparent, real-time bidding.
What is The Wreck Auctions?
The Wreck Auctions is a technology platform and online marketplace — not an auctioneer, dealer, or agent. We provide the software and tools for sellers to list vehicles and buyers to bid on them. All listings are placed by independent sellers. The Wreck Auctions does not own any vehicles on the platform, except a car we bought through Wreck Cash: if we sell one, its listing says so (Terms section 10).
When an auction concludes successfully, the buyer and seller deal directly with each other to arrange payment, inspection, and transfer of ownership through NZTA. The Wreck Auctions charges the seller a listing fee to publish the auction, and a success fee when it sells where the listing form shows one — we do not charge the buyer at any point.
Sellers list vehicles
Pay a listing fee to publish
Buyers bid in real-time
Highest bid wins
Parties deal directly
Payment & handover off-platform
For buyers
Create a free account
Sign up with your email. Browsing and watchlisting are always free.
Browse & research
View listings, photos, specs, odometer history via CarJam report, and the seller's public profile with reviews.
Place a bid
Enter your bid amount. Our proxy auto-bid system competes on your behalf up to your maximum — you only pay what's needed to stay in the lead. Bids are legally binding.
Win the auction
If you hold the highest bid when the clock runs out (and the reserve is met), you win. Contact details for the seller will appear immediately in your Transactions dashboard.
Arrange the deal
Contact the seller directly to inspect, arrange payment (bank transfer), and collect the vehicle. Submit an ownership transfer with NZTA.
Leave a review
Rate your experience with the seller. Your feedback helps keep the community trustworthy.
Buyer responsibilities
• Bids are legally binding commitments to purchase. Do not bid unless you intend to buy.
• If the reserve isn't met, the top bidder has 24 hours to buy at the seller's asking price or make one offer; then any member can buy at that price for 3 more days. These purchases are binding too.
• Inspect the vehicle (arrange with seller before bidding where possible).
• If the seller is a private person, the Consumer Guarantees Act does not apply — you accept the vehicle "as is".
• Arrange your own financing before bidding.
For sellers
Create a free account
Register and complete your seller profile including bank account details for buyer payment.
List your vehicle
Fill in the vehicle details, upload photos, set your start price, optional reserve, and auction duration. A listing fee applies before going live.
Pay the listing fee
Listing fees are charged per auction. Promotions may waive or discount this fee. Fees are non-refundable once the auction goes live.
Auction runs live
Buyers bid on your vehicle in real-time. You'll receive notifications for activity. Buyers' questions come to us, and we pass on any that need your answer.
Auction closes
If the reserve is met, the highest bidder wins and is legally obligated to complete the purchase. The buyer's contact details appear in your Transactions dashboard.
Complete the sale
Arrange payment directly with the buyer (bank transfer recommended). Hand over the vehicle and submit the Transfer of Vehicle Ownership form with NZTA.
Seller responsibilities
• You must be the legal owner of the vehicle and have the right to sell it.
• Disclose any finance owing, write-offs, odometer discrepancies, or known defects.
• If you are a registered Motor Vehicle Trader, provide a Consumer Information Notice (CIN) as required by the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003.
• Do not accept a bid from yourself or associates (bid manipulation is illegal).
Fees & costs
The Wreck Auctions only charges sellers. Buying is always free.
| Fee | Who pays | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | Seller | Paid upfront to publish the auction. Amount shown during listing creation. Promotions may waive this fee. Non-refundable once live. |
| Extension fee | Seller | Optional. If your auction ends without a sale, or you withdraw it, extend it by 7, 14 or 30 days from My listings (not one we've taken down); if it had bids, it starts again as a fresh auction. Amount shown before you pay. Promotions may waive this fee. Non-refundable once live. |
| Success fee | Seller | When the vehicle sells on the site, if the listing form showed one when you listed, at the rate it showed: a percentage of the sale price, with a minimum and a maximum, never more than the sale price, GST included. Emailed as a tax invoice; pay it by bank transfer within 7 days. |
| Buyer fee | None | The Wreck Auctions does not charge buyers any fee to bid or win. |
| Vehicle purchase price | Buyer → seller | Paid directly from buyer to seller via bank transfer. The Wreck Auctions is not involved in this payment. |
Staying safe
Check the vehicle report
Where a listing has a CarJam report, check the odometer history and registration status. Search the PPSR yourself for finance owing.
Use bank transfer
Pay directly via internet banking. Never use cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash for unknown sellers.
Inspect before paying
Arrange to see and test drive the vehicle before handing over money. Don't pay sight unseen.
Check for finance
Use the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) to check if finance is owing on the vehicle before purchase.
Transfer NZTA ownership
Both parties must complete the NZTA transfer of vehicle ownership online at nzta.govt.nz.
Check seller reviews
View the seller's public profile and feedback ratings before placing a bid.
Ready to get started?
Create a free account and start buying or selling today.
Questions? Read the FAQ · Terms & conditions · Privacy policy