Extra powers for Trade Me

Trade Me is cracking down on illegal backyard car dealers with it now being able to access the NZTA’s motor vehicle register to help “reduce the risk of fraud” with online purchase. The website company will also be able to check whether backyard dealers own vehicles they list for sale and if unregistered traders are selling more than their legal limit of six cars per year. John Duffy, head of trust and safety, says until now the online auction site has been unable to track down illegal dealers using false details. “It’s another layer of defence we’ve got against people who want to get up to no good on our site. He adds that only a handful of staff will be able to access the database. The Motor Trade Association (MTA) says home-based dealers turn over millions each year but “are putting buyers at risk and hurting legitimate traders”. Tony Everett, the MTA’s dealer services and mediation manager, says backyard dealers are put off becoming registered because of the legal obligations they had to adhere to, including those that fall under Consumer Guarantees Act. “Unregistered traders are taking business from legitimate dealers and also putting customers at risk if there was a problem with the vehicle,” adds Everett. Trade Me says “a handful” of traders had been banned from the site for “recidivist” activity.