Roadside sale crackdown

Roadside motor vehicle sales are set to be banned in Lower Hutt after a man refused to stop selling them near the local hospital. It was discovered he wasn’t registered, so the council complained to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). He then became a legitimate trader and continued selling cars from the High Street location. The situation has sparked a proposed council bylaw that will ban cars being sold on roadsides by dealers or members of the public in the area. Current regulations forbid the sale of vehicles where such activity will cause safety issues to drivers or pedestrians. People selling them on the side of the road prefer busy streets, but this can be a distraction for motorists Late last year, the Motor Trade Association (MTA) warned the public about illegal traders operating from the side of roads. “It’s not the everyday, one-off sellers who cause difficulties – it’s the illegal traders,” the MTA said. “Buyers have little or no legal recourse when dealing with these characters. In many cases, the details they provide are incorrect.” Submissions on the proposed bylaw close on July 25.