When I first made plans to move to New Zealand, buying a campervan was never something I imagined myself doing. While I am here on a working holiday, I didn’t suspect I’d want to invest in a vehicle. I have never owned a car in the US, and I certainly didn’t think I would buy my first vehicle as a backpacker in New Zealand.
I thought wrong. Shortly after arriving in Auckland, Nicole and I began to realize that traveling in a campervan was the ideal way to get around the country. We didn’t want to be committed to the schedules and routes of an InterCity bus. We didn’t want to be trapped in a Kiwi Experience bus with loud, 18 year old, gap year drunks. And we absolutely didn’t want a Kiwi Experience bus driver deciding what corners of New Zealand we would get to see.
We wanted the flexibility of going where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go there. Having your own car or van allows you to see more of New Zealand than you would if you traveling by bus. Also, we decided to buy a van on the assumption we’d save money in the long run. Instead of paying $25-30 a night for a hostel, we often stay for free in the van.
View of the Tasman Sea
We bought our campervan, Max, in Auckland. Here’s how you can do it too:
Buying a campervan (or car) is a very realistic option for the working holiday maker or backpacker who is traveling to New Zealand for more than a couple weeks time. If you’re here for much less than two months, I wouldn’t suggest buying a car. While it’s an easy process, you run the risk of spending too much time looking for and then attempting to sell your vehicle.
Where to look …
There are plenty of older, affordable cars and vans throughout New Zealand. Many of these have been passed down from backpacker to backpacker. These are your best bet and you’ll have the most luck looking for your van in one of New Zealand’s population centers: Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Chances are, they’ll be cheaper in a city where there are more options.
Hostels will have notice boards listing various backpacker related items for sale. These items will very often include backpacker cars and vans. Spend an afternoon looking around the hostels in one of New Zealand’s cities. In Auckland, I stayed at Base ACB (a terrible hostel which I don’t recommend). They actually had an entire notebook with various backpacker cars and vans for sale. It was a terrific resource.
I also recommend you check out Backpackerboard.co.nz’s online listings. This is where I found Max, and it includes a constantly updated list of backpackers’ vehicles for sale. There is no middleman involved, so you’ll get what the seller thinks the car or van is actually worth. If you’re unable to find a van using hostel noticeboards or online listings, your next best bet is to look at a Backpackers Car Market.
Max
You’ll find a Backpackers Car Market in both Auckland and Christchurch. Often, these are where backpackers end up selling their cars or vans if they wait to long to do it on their own. These companies buy cars and vans from backpackers, and sell them back to backpackers. Expect the prices here to be significantly higher than they would be if you find a personal sale elsewhere. Nonetheless, the car markets often have good, quality vans. Before they can be sold, they are required to have a mechanical check. Chances are, you won’t get stuck with a lemon as the Car Market wouldn’t want to buy a lemon.
Lastly, you can check out Car Fairs in many of New Zealand’s larger cities. These will have a much wider selection of cars, trucks, and vans, which aren’t going to be specifically geared towards the backpacker. If you find a van at a Backpackers Car Market, or on a hostel notice board, or on Backpackerboard, chances are these will be converted with sleeping facilities, cooking supplies, maps, guidebooks, and anything else you might need on the road.
Things to consider before you buy …
Warrant of Fitness (Wof): All vehicles on New Zealand’s roads must undergo a test to ensure they’re safe for the road. A Warrant of Fitness essentially says that your van is roadworthy and safe. Older vehicles must undergo a WoF inspection every six months.
Considering this, I recommend you look for a van that has been recently WoFed. You’ll be guaranteed no immediate expenses – baring something doesn’t go wrong mechanically. If you buy a van which has to have its WoF inspection in three weeks, you run the risk of a garage bill of hundreds of dollars.
You might also consider arranging to take the vehicle you’re interested in to a mechanic to have a general inspection of the vehicles’ health. This shouldn’t cost you over $100.
Registration (ReGo): Similar to the WoF, all cars on New Zealand roads are required to be registered. While not a huge expense, it will cost you about $100 for every three months of registration. Check to see how long the car or van you’re buying is registered for. All registration labels are found on the top, left hand corner of the windshield.
Gas or Diesel: One of the first things you’ll notice about fuel prices in New Zealand is the stark difference between the price of diesel and gas. Diesel is significantly cheaper – at the moment, about seventy cents cheaper per liter. On the surface, you’d expect to save heaps of money with a diesel van. In reality, you don’t end up saving any money. In addition to a Registration fee, you’re required to pay road user charges for each 1,000 kms you drive.
Supplies: Does your van come with a New Zealand atlas? What about a gas cooker? Or pots and pans? These items add up quick quickly in New Zealand. Consider what things are or are not included when looking for a van.
After you find your van …
I was shocked by how easy it was to complete the purchase of my van. After you’ve paid for your new ride, a quick trip to any Post Shop will allow you to finish the deal. You’ll need to file for a change of ownership which will cost you about $10. You’ll need to list an address on this form, but the address of the hostel where you’re staying will do.
Believe it or not, insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand – not even Third Party Insurance. This actually makes buying insurance a pretty good idea in my mind. I was surprised to find the process of insuring my van cheap and easy.
BBH (Budget Backpackers Hostels) offer third party insurance packages specifically geared for backpackers. They can be purchased online. It’s quick and easy, but it’s also overpriced. If you’ll be in New Zealand for a short period of time, it’s arguably the way to go. Policies for as little as three months can be purchased and would cost you $180 if you were over 25. The longer your policy, the cheaper the cost.
I opted to go with Kiwi Bank Auto Insurance. You can find details at the Post Shop when you’re transferring ownership of your new vehicle. This option is significantly cheaper. I pay just about $30 a month to insure my van with Kiwi bank – and, in addition to third party insurance, I get full coverage plus fire and theft.
How much?
How much you spend will depend on a number of factors. If you’re buying at the start of the summer, you’ll pay significantly more than you would in the middle of the winter. Either way, you can expect to pay $3000 or more for an adequate campervan with sleeping facilities. You could get away spending less than $2000 if you went the car route.
This is certainly easier to stomach if you’re traveling with a friend. Also, you can plan on getting all or a good portion of the cost back when you decide to sell. Do realize if you’re buying in the summer, and selling in the winter, you may inevitable lose some of what you paid.
Buying a van in New Zealand is a straightforward process. It’s so easy, a backpacker can do it. And you should.
Are you considering buying a car or van in New Zealand? While I hope this post was hopeful, I trust it didn’t answer all of your questions. Send any questions you have my way. Use the contact form or email at (matt) at (backpackingmatt) dot (com)
14 March 2010 at 8:35 pm
surely traveling on your own car gives you completely flexibility on the trip given you the opportunity to visit also the hidden gems of a country at your own peace but if you are on a short stay it might worth to rent it out. we only had 6weeks in New Zealand and although we were tempted to buy one at the end we rented a station wagon from Jucy.
in australia instead we bought one of this backpacker van http://www.atravelaroundtheworld.com/2010/01/australia-backpacker-travel-tips-all.html
15 March 2010 at 3:53 pm
Great post. Full of good info. I’d also recommend TradeMe.co.nz and Gumtree.co.nz (pref the former) for places to look for the campervan.
15 March 2010 at 4:14 pm
@marta I noticed your van on your website the other day – it looks class! I think six weeks is right about on the border of whether you should rent or buy. A lot of it depends on the season. I’d feel comfortable buying at the start of the summer season and selling halfway through. If it was winter, you’d be taking a pretty big gamble.
@ant Thanks! Those are definitely sites worth checking as well.
15 March 2010 at 10:52 pm
Can’t quite agree with the idea of buying from another backpacker. If you do, I earnestly suggest you have a mechanic give the vehicle a thorough physical. Backpackers are not renowned for maintaining vehicles in top condition. If they have a breakdown they usually get the cheapest possible repair – which means it may or may not last for long. It can be taken as read that the vehicle will not have had a proper service . . . in which case invest the $200 or so for plugs, oil change, filters etc. You’ll recoup most of it in fuel savings.
As to the comment that you’ll recoup all or most of your investment that’s the dream that keeps the urban myth alive. The carparks at Auckland International airport at this time of year are littered with abandoned vehicles left behind by departing visitors who weren’t able to get a sale before going.
If you buy anywhere from October to February and try to sell in March onwards you will very likely take a loss.
Re hiring v. buying. The break-even point is usually around two months. Under that it’s cheaper to rent a vehicle.
16 March 2010 at 8:22 am
If your knowledge of cars is limited, I’d definitely suggest you have a mechanic check any potential buy. It’s well worth your money.
As I said, it’s a dangerous call to buy mid summer and sell closer to winter. The market will be flooded with other backpackers doing the same. You certainly can’t expect to make money on the car. Nonetheless, if you start listing your vehicle well in advance of your move in a number of different places, and are prepared to loose some of what you paid, your car won’t end up in a car park at Auckland’s airport.
11 April 2010 at 1:57 pm
We bought our car on Trademe (www.trademe.co.nz) plus some other good things for our trip
30 April 2010 at 7:55 am
Now I know why so many Kiwi backpackers coming to the UK and Europe want to find a campervan. They get the bug at home. Sound’s like they are easy to find there, but they are gold dust in the UK these days.
22 May 2010 at 2:33 am
Wow Matt! I didn’t know that buying a campervan in NZ is that easy! We will consider it if in the future we will go back to NZ for longer period of time. As you know tomorrow I will fly to NZ, but only have 2 weeks. We are renting a small campervan from Jucy. It’s cheap because it’s off season it seems. But yeah, seems like if we are going to be there for a long period of time, this is a cool idea, having your own moving home!
22 May 2010 at 10:27 am
It’s easy, but not risk free. My van recently took its last ride – a sad day, but something you certainly have to realize is a risk if you’re buying an older van. I’m thinking of writing a post on the potential hazards of buying a van. It’s great having your own moving home – until your home dies, and you have to unload all of your possessions onto the street!
20 June 2010 at 11:46 pm
We are regularly selling campervans and motorhomes in new zealand. Our main business is campervan rental but as we are regularly replacing our fleet we do sell a fair bit. Our vehicles are cheap and in good nik…so if you are looking for a campervan or motorhome in new zealand, be sure to visit our website.
3 June 2011 at 11:17 am
I just did a search and found this after writing an almost identical post about my experience in Australia! Basically, we had to double the purchase price to keep the thing on the road due to a dodgy engine. Still, it was worthwhile but not ideal.
What happened to your van?
Adam @ SitDownDisco last blog: Buying a Campervan
6 June 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Adam Glad Google pointed you in the right direction!
Ultimately, our van broke down just outside of Queenstown. It was a sad, sad day and made for a tough situation financially. No regrets though in buying a van – we just didn’t do our research properly!
23 January 2012 at 4:31 am
Hey Matt,
Just wanted to say, I have just discovered your blog.. Wow. You are my new hero and guru! I’m currently 3 months in to my year trip.. Doing four months round SEA.. I am meeting my boyfriend in New Zealand in March and after a brief 3 week bus trip there three years ago- I’m finally back for 8 months on a working visa!! Hoping to buy a van and not work until desperately needed! Your articles have been a wealth of brilliant information and awe inspiring passion.. I simply cannot wait to get there! Keep up the great work, and when we are there I would love to come and find you, to shake your hand and relish in more of your out of this world experiences and stories! Take care, Josey-May AKA JM! x ; )
17 February 2012 at 7:03 pm
@Josey Thanks heaps for the unbelievably kind words.
Enjoy NZ – I’ll flip you an email now to see how your trip is going!