To check Car owner details Online, this article covers all about How to check car owner details online in well-documented steps. Let’s get started:
How to check car owner details online
Step 1
Ask the owner for their full legal name and/or driver’s licence number. If the vehicle is registered in the name of a company, you’ll need the company name exactly as recorded with the NZTA. If the seller refuses to give the details, it’s a red flag — do not buy from them.
Step 2
Visit thatcar.nz and navigate to the Owner Check section. Enter the details and press the Check button.
Step 3
You’ll see whether or not the entered details match the registered person record on the register. If they don’t match, it may be caused by several reasons: a) mistyped details, b) the seller is not the registered person for the vehicle, or c) the ownership is unconfirmed.
You can see if the ownership is unconfirmed from our vehicle report. If that is the case, insist that they complete the previous change of ownership process before you buy the vehicle from them.
What does “Registered person” mean?
“Registered person” is the person or legal entity recorded on the register that is entitled to possession of the vehicle. While it’s commonly used as an indicator of ownership in New Zealand, being a registered person does not legally prove legal ownership according to the terminology of the NZ Transport Agency. The legal owner may be different from the registered one (for example, if the vehicle is leased). A vehicle sales agreement and purchase receipt are generally considered to be evidence of legal ownership.
Need to find an unknown owner?
Unfortunately, the names and addresses of individual registered persons can’t be given to the general public due to the NZ privacy law regulations. If the vehicle is registered in the name of a company, the name and address of the company will be displayed in our vehicle report. However, there’s likely no need to search for the owner yourself.
If you need to find the offender who caused an incident with your vehicle, it’s best to report the incident to the police and your insurance company.
If you need to find the owner of an abandoned vehicle, it’s best to report it to your local council — they will sort it out.
Application for registered person name and address (MR31)
Personal information is protected
The personal information we hold on the register is protected by privacy laws. For that reason, if you need somebody’s personal information from us, you must have a very good reason for asking for it.
We have a duty to:
- protect personal information
- release personal information only where the public interest (the benefit for the common good or general welfare of all) outweighs the personal interest of the person requesting the information and the privacy rights of the individual.
If your application is approved, we also must release your name and the reason you applied for the personal details to the person concerned if they ask us.
Your application may be declined
The protection around personal information means the type of information we can give out depends on who’s asking for it and why they need it.
The law only permits the release of personal information for the following purposes:
- enforcement of the law
- maintenance of the security of New Zealand
- collection of charges imposed or authorised by an enactment
- the administration and development of transport law and policy, and
- where the public interest outweighs the privacy of the individual concerned.
We can’t tell you if your application would be declined before you submit it, because each request for information is different and considered on a case-by-case basis.
We can tell you that your application will most likely be declined unless you provide some exceptional evidence showing a good reason for needing the information and it fits the legislated criteria listed above.
For example:
- your application is likely to be declined if you see a vehicle you like and you want to approach the owner to make an offer to buy it. A person who wants to sell their vehicle will make that fact known without needing to be approached about it.
We may direct you to another organisation
In some cases we may advise you to approach another organisation for the information you need.
For example:
- we’re likely to direct you to another organisation if your vehicle is involved in an accident and you need to contact the owner of the other vehicle. Vehicle accidents are a matter for the police and they can access the same information. Your insurance company also has access to the same information to work on any insurance issues.
The application fee is non-refundable
Please note the application fee ($15) is non-refundable, regardless of whether your application is approved or declined. It goes towards the cost of processing your application.
Apply online for registered person name and address (MR31)
Request for motor vehicle details (MR32)
Requests for motor vehicle details including details of companies and organisations who are or have been registered can be made by downloading a request for motor vehicle details form. The form is posted to the Transport Agency who will then provide you with the following information:
- name and address of companies and organisations who are and have been previously registered
- make
- model
- VIN/chassis
- engine number
- New Zealand registration date
- licence (rego) expiry date
- colour
- odometer readings (current and historic)
- dates of change of registered person.
A fee of $15 is payable.
Request for motor vehicle details (MR32)
Registered person confirmation
You can confirm whether someone is the registered person online, you’ll need the vehicle’s number plate, the name and date of birth of the person or their driver licence number. There is no charge for this service and a result is returned immediately.
Request registered person confirmation
Stolen vehicle check
When a vehicle is reported as stolen to police, the Motor Vehicle Register is updated from the police system to show the vehicle has been reported stolen. You can submit an online request to check if the police have been advised a vehicle has been reported as stolen. There is no charge for this service and you get an immediate result.
Check if a vehicle has been reported stolen(external link)
Third parties
Some Motor Vehicle Register information can be sourced through third parties who include the information with their vehicle information reports. The process and cost of requesting these reports is determined by the relevant third party.