Concern over illegal traders

The number of roadside traders continues to increase around the country with Invercargill dealers becoming more concerned about a lack of action from councils on tackling the problem. Steve Dryden, owner of Steve’s Autos in the city, says many of them are unregistered. “We know they are doing more than six vehicles a year,” he told Autofile Online. “They replace their cellphone sim cards every few weeks, so they are nearly impossible to track down.” He says unregistered traders are also advertising their vehicles on some Facebook pages, which are followed by thousands of people in Southland.

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“It costs nothing to advertise on these pages and, unlike Trade Me, the seller is almost untraceable,” says Dryden. “It seems to be in the too-hard basket for the authorities and a consortium of 16 used car dealers has been battling it for 16 years and no one is interested. “We buy a car for $2,000 and Joe Bloggs can purchase and on-sell it with no tax and laws applied. It’s just cash in the pocket for them.” Grant Williamson, of X Factor Cars in Invercargill, says the city council “has been redundant” when it comes to helping registered dealers. “It has been inept in helping car businesses making a living and doing their jobs properly,” he says. “It has got the blinkers on and its heads buried in the sand. “The council has initiatives about trying to promote Southland businesses, but it’s doing nothing about unregistered traders.” A city council bylaw states: “No vehicle may be parked on any public road displaying any sign or notice for the purpose of sale, exhibition or demonstration or for advertising goods, services or businesses without written permission of the council.” But where most of the vehicles are located came under the NZTA’s authority. For a regional report on Southland, check out the January 13 of Autofile magazine by clicking here. Area manager for Southland, Peter Robinson, says the bylaw is intended to protect safety, while the agency has worked with the council by putting warning letters on the cars of repeat offenders.

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