An Auckland woman has been fined $13,000 for selling 11 cars in one year on Facebook Marketplace without being properly registered as a vehicle trader.
Jessie Gettins was sentenced in the Auckland District Court following an investigation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 (MVSA), anyone without the proper registration is only permitted to sell six cars in 12 months.
Ms Gettins had previously been before the Courts for similar offending in 2016, having been found guilty of unregistered motor vehicle trading and fined $18,000.
“Ms Gettins sold 11 vehicles in 12 months. Individuals can sell up to 6 vehicles in 12 months without being required to register as a motor vehicle trader,” said the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Traders, Duncan Connor.
He said registered motor vehicle traders have been assessed as being suitable to be registered, and must comply with obligations under the MVSA, Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, and Fair Trading Act 1986.
Mr Connor says Facebook Marketplace is a common platform for unregistered persons who sell motor vehicles.
“Consumers should take precautions when purchasing vehicles from people online. Precautions may include organising a pre-purchase check and inspection on the vehicle to identify any money owing or mechanical issues,” he said.
Consumers can check whether the person they are purchasing from is a registered motor vehicle trader by accessing the public register at the link below.
