Quick Guide To Looking After Your Car In NZ

Your car gets you to work, the school run, weekend adventures,and everything in between, so don’t you think it deserves a bit of love inreturn? The good news? Looking after your vehicle doesn’t need to becomplicated, expensive, or something to dread. A few simple habits doneregularly can save you thousands of dollars and a whole lot of stress down theroad.

At CarMoney, we help Kiwis get into the right vehicle withstraightforward finance options. We also want to make sure you can keep thatvehicle running well for years to come. So here’s your friendly, no-jargonguide to basic car care in New Zealand.

Why Car Maintenance Matters More Here Than You Might Think

New Zealand has one of the oldest vehicle fleets in thedeveloped world. According to the Automobile Association (AA), the average age ofa car on our roads is around 12 years, and that number has been creeping upsteadily. Data from the Ministry of Transport, analysed by Environmental HealthIndicators NZ, shows that in 2022, 43%of light vehicles in New Zealand were at least 15 years old, and nearly onein five was over 20 years old.

What does that mean for car buyers and owners? Oldervehicles need more attention. They’re more likely to require repairs, morelikely to fail a Warrant of Fitness (WoF), and more likely to cost you moneyunexpectedly if small issues are left unchecked. But here’s the silver lining:a well-maintained older car can be perfectly reliable and economical, andkeeping on top of the basics is far less painful than dealing with a surpriserepair bill!

The Real Cost Of Ignoring Vehicle Maintenance

Let’s talk numbers briefly, because they do tell acompelling story. According to a local cost-of-ownership guide carried out in2024, the totalannual cost of owning a car in New Zealand can easily exceed $10,000 whenyou factor in fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres, WoF, registration, andunexpected repairs. That’s already a significant chunk of most householdbudgets.

The sting usually comes from unplanned repairs, a basic servicewill cost you around $250–$350 and a full service between $300–$500+, which ismanageable. But when something major goes wrong, like a transmission issue, forexample, costs can run into the thousands.

The takeaway here isn’t to alarm you in fact, it is theopposite! If you can’t quite stretch the budget to purchase a newer vehicle, regular,low-cost maintenance is your best defence against hefty vehicle repair costs. A$150 service can find a small issue before it turns into a $3,000 one.

The WoF - Your Car’s Health Check

If you own a vehicle in New Zealand, the Warrant of Fitnessis part of life. You could think of it as your car’s regular health check, andit’s worth taking seriously.

A helpful breakdown of what inspectors regularly checkincludes tyres, brakes, steering, exhaust, seat belts, indicators, andheadlights, among other things. How often you need one depends on your vehicle’sage. Cars first registered on or after 1 January 2000 need an annual WoF, whileolder vehicles require one every six months.

Here’s a surprising stat though - according to AA sourced datanearly40% of vehicles in New Zealand fail their WoF on the first attempt. That’sa lot of Kiwis sitting in waiting rooms only to drive away with a repair list. Thegood news? Many of the most common failure reasons are entirely preventablewith a bit of regular attention.

Tyres are thebiggest culprit. Most vehicles tend to fail their WoF due totyre-related issues. The most common reasons include insufficient tread depth,tyre damage, and uneven wear. The legal minimum tread depth in New Zealand is1.5mm - but the AA recommends aiming for more, as grip and stopping distancesare seriously compromised below that level, especially in wet conditions.

Windscreen wipersare another common fail point, especially due to glazing andwiper-related problems. Given New Zealand’s rainy climate, this is notsomething to leave until the last minute.

Your Simple Monthly Car Care Routine

The good news is you don’t need to be mechanically minded tokeep your car in good shape. The government’s Drive.govt.nz resource recommendsusing the word TWIRL as a monthly reminder of what to check:

• T – Tyres: Check tread depth and look forany cracks, bulges, or unusual wear.
• W – Windscreen: Look for chips or cracksthat could spread, and check that your wipers clear the screen properly.
• I – Indicators: Walk around the car andcheck all indicators are working.
• R – Rust: Look underneath the doors,wheel arches, and anywhere else water collects for early signs of rust.
• L – Lights: Test headlights, tail lights,brake lights, and reversing lights.

These checks take about five minutes and cost nothing. They’llhelp you catch small things before they become WoF failures, or worse, safetyhazards!

Beyond The Basics  - ImportantVehicle Maintenance Tasks

Beyond your basicTWIRL checks, there are some slightly more complex things you need to keep aneye on when keeping up with vehicle maintenance.

1. Oil: Check your oil level at least once a month usingthe dipstick. It’s simple: with the engine off and on level ground, pull outthe dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check where the oil sits betweenthe minimum and maximum markers. As for oil changes, most mechanics recommendone every 10,000km or six months for standard petrol vehicles, though this canvary by car and oil type. Your owner’s manual will have the manufacturer’srecommendation. Following it is one of the best things you can do for yourengine’s long-term health.

2. Tyres: Your tyres are the only part of your car thatactually touches the road. They affect how quickly you can stop, how your carhandles in the wet, and ultimately, your safety. Yet they’re often overlookeduntil something goes wrong. Aside from tread depth mentioned above, tyrepressure is something every driver should be checking regularly. You’ll findthe correct pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in yourowner’s manual. Under-inflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency, wear unevenly, andhandle poorly. Over-inflated tyres reduce grip and can be more vulnerable todamage. Tyres typically need replacing every 40,000 to 50,000km, though thisvaries with driving style and road conditions.

3. Brakes: Yourbrakes are one of the most important safety systems in your car, and brake padsare the part that wears out first. The good news is, your car usually gives youplenty of warning signs before things become dangerous or expensive, such as squeakingor squealing, a grinding sound, vibration when braking, longer stopping distancesand of course, the good old brake warning light. As a general rule, more than5mm = good, 3–4mm = getting a bit low and under 3mm = replace soon! If you’reunsure, get a mechanic to check them quickly during a WOF or service.

• Don’t Forget The Fluids! Oil gets most of theattention, but there are several other fluids your car depends on including:
• Coolant: Which keeps your engine fromoverheating and protects it during cold snaps. Check the level in the reservoirwhen the engine is cold, and top up with the correct coolant mix if needed.
• Brake Fluid: Brake fluids arehygroscopic, meaning ithey absorb moisture over time, which can reduce brakingperformance. Brake fluid is typically replaced during a full service, but ifyour brake pedal feels soft or spongy, get it checked sooner.
• Power Steering Fluid: (if your car hasit) This needs to be checked periodically. Low levels can cause steering tofeel stiff or make unusual noises when turning.
• Windscreen Washer Fluid: In New Zealand wheredust and high pollen levels are a reality, running out of windscreen washerfluid at the wrong moment can be a genuine visibility hazard. It costs almostnothing to keep topped up.

Why Regular Servicing Matters

While DIY checks are useful, getting your car servicedregularly is the single most effective way to protect your investment and avoidnasty surprises. A service involves a qualified mechanic going through yourvehicle systematically and checking fluid levels, filters, brakes, belts, lights,and dozens of other components.

The usual service checklist includes inspecting the gearboxand differential fluid, checking tyre condition and pressure, testing alllights, and topping up the windscreen washer fluid, among many other items. It’sfar more comprehensive than the checks you can do yourself at home.

If you’ve recently purchased a used vehicle, it’s worthunderstanding your car’s service history. A vehicle with a documented servicehistory and consistent maintenance is not only more reliable but also holds itsvalue better and is less likely to spring nasty surprises. Once you own thecar, keep a service log and record every oil change, tyre rotation, and servicevisit. This helps you keep track of what’s been done, flag when things are due,and adds value if you sell.

Looking after your car is really about looking afteryourself, your budget, your time, and most importantly, your safety on theroad. At CarMoney, we believe that good vehicle finance is just the start of a good ownership experience. Whether you’re financing a first car, upgrading tosomething newer, or replacing a vehicle that’s finally reached the end of itsroad, we’re here to help you make a confident decision. Ready to explore your vehicle finance options? Visit CarMoneyto find out how we can help you get into the right car and keep it runningwell!

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