FAQs
All vehicles can be searched
It's not just cars. You can search trucks, vans, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers, tractors, earthmoving equipment and more. If it has a registration plate or VIN number it'll be in the registry.
Privacy: You can't find out the owner of a vehicle
The Motor Vehicle Register is a public register, but since May 1 2011 NZTA will not supply ownership details without confirmation first. Confirmation means that you know the licence plate or VIN and either the owner's name or driver's licence number. The site will confirm whether the details you have entered match the owner's details in NZTA's database.
If you have an outstanding security on the vehicle, though, your details may be visible through a PPSR search.
If you believe having your information publicly available jeopardizes your or your family's personal safety you can put your request in writing to Land Transport New Zealand, with supporting documents such as a protection order, evidence of threat and/or a written confirmation from a Police Officer stating the requirement.
Where does the report information come from?
The information is supplied by government agencies such as NZTA, Ministry of Economic Development and Rightcar. Checka adds some analysis to this information and also allows you to store searches within your profile.
My vehicle details are incorrect. Can I change them?
Get a copy of form MR16 from a Land Transport NZ agent such as a Post Shop or VTNZ testing station and send it with supporting documentation. Checka cannot change the data for you.
My odomeder reading is incorrect. How can I update the listing?
This happens occasionally due to handwriting illegibility on WoF forms. Send the WoF checksheet along with a covering letter to Land Transport NZ. If the checksheet is also incorrect, you will need to take your vehicle to a WoF provider who will then need to contact LTNZ to make the change. Checka cannot change this for you.
How can you tell if a car has been written off?
Within the report it will say "registration has been cancelled". Note, this doesn't necessarily mean it has been written off, but is a sign it could have been.
A car I searched isn't in the system? Why?
The Motor Vehicle Register was computerized in 1986, but between 1986-88 a small number of records were deleted.