Best Used Car Dealers in Whanganui
Whanganui’s used car market runs from multi-franchise dealerships on Victoria Avenue through to independent yards near the waterfront. The four below all trade from the city, all sell used stock, and each brings something different: franchise backing and an on-site workshop, long local ownership, finance and protection products, or a two-brand new car operation with a service department attached.
1David Jones Motors
David Jones Motors runs two dealerships on Victoria Avenue in central Whanganui, at numbers 276 and 330. It holds the local franchises for Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Hyundai, so the used stock is fed by trade-ins and ex-demonstrators across four marques. A workshop, parts counter and finance desk sit behind the yard, which suits buyers who want servicing handled in the same place they bought the car.
Services
- Used and ex-demonstrator vehicle sales
- New vehicle sales for Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Hyundai
- Vehicle servicing and WOF inspections
- Genuine parts supply and parts enquiries
- Vehicle finance and rental car hire
Highlights
- Franchise dealer for four marques under one business
- Two sites on Victoria Avenue, at numbers 276 and 330
- Workshop and parts department on site
- Group Manager Gareth Jones leads the team
Customer Feedback
Location & Contact
Name: David Jones Motors
Address: 276 and 330 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui 4500
Phone: 06 345 5115
Website: davidjones.co.nz
Contact David Jones Motors via Email
2Wanganui Car Centre
Wanganui Car Centre is a family owned used vehicle yard at 422 Victoria Avenue, trading in the city since 1986. Stock is groomed before sale and inspected by the AA, and vehicles leave with a two year Protecta warranty carrying nationwide cover. Finance is arranged in house through MTF, and trade-ins are appraised on site, so an existing car can go toward the purchase.
Services
- Used vehicle sales
- Trade-in appraisals
- Vehicle finance through MTF
- AA inspected stock
- Warranty cover included with vehicles
Highlights
- Locally family owned and operated
- Trading in Wanganui since 1986
- Two year Protecta warranty with nationwide cover
- Central Victoria Avenue location
Location & Contact
Name: Wanganui Car Centre
Address: 422 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui
Phone: 06 348 8066
Website: wanganuicarcentre.com
3Integrity Motors
Integrity Motors sells used vehicles from 71-81 Taupo Quay, close to the Whanganui waterfront. Alongside the yard the business runs a finance operation, with applications handled in house and a range of protection products including mechanical breakdown insurance, payment protection and GAP cover. There is also an out of town service for buyers shopping from further afield.
Services
- Used vehicle sales
- Vehicle finance and finance applications
- Trade valuations
- Mechanical breakdown insurance and GAP cover
- Auto service plans
Highlights
- Taupo Quay site near the Whanganui waterfront
- Out of town buying service for shoppers outside the district
- Aftercare and protection products arranged in house
Location & Contact
Name: Integrity Motors
Address: 71-81 Taupo Quay, Whanganui
Phone: 06 348 5599
Website: integritymotors.co.nz
4Wanganui Motors
Wanganui Motors holds the Ford and Mazda franchises for the district, based at 82 Ridgway Street with a reach extending to Ohakune and Taihape. New and used vehicles are both sold, and because the business carries two franchises the used range moves between the marques. Parts and servicing run from the same site, with service bookings taken online.
Services
- Used vehicle sales across Ford and Mazda
- New Ford and Mazda vehicle sales
- Vehicle servicing with online booking
- Parts supply
- Vehicle finance
Highlights
- Carries both the Ford and Mazda franchises
- Serves Whanganui, Ohakune and Taihape
- Workshop and parts department on the Ridgway Street site
Location & Contact
Name: Wanganui Motors
Address: 82 Ridgway Street, Wanganui
Phone: 06 349 0930
Website: wanganuimotors.co.nz
Used Car Dealers in Whanganui at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| David Jones Motors | Whanganui | Franchise dealer for four marques under one business |
| Wanganui Car Centre | Wanganui | Locally family owned and operated |
| Integrity Motors | Whanganui | Taupo Quay site near the Whanganui waterfront |
| Wanganui Motors | Wanganui | Carries both the Ford and Mazda franchises |
How to Choose a Used Car Dealer in Whanganui
Start with what sits behind the yard. A dealership with its own workshop and parts counter can service what it sells, which matters more over three years of ownership than the price on the windscreen. Franchise dealers also tend to take trade-ins and ex-demonstrators of their own brands, so the history of the car is often known rather than guessed at.
Then look at what comes with the vehicle. Warranty cover, a pre-sale inspection and finance arranged in house all reduce the number of separate errands a purchase turns into. Ask which of those are included and which are extras, because the answer varies between yards.
Finally, weigh location against range. A smaller local yard may have exactly the car you want and a shorter drive for servicing, while a multi-franchise dealer gives you more to compare in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I better protected buying from a dealer than privately?
Yes. Registered motor vehicle traders must comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, which means the vehicle has to be of acceptable quality and match how it was described. Buying privately gives you almost none of that. Consumer Protection explains the Consumer Guarantees Act and what it covers.
How often does a used car need a warrant of fitness?
Most cars first registered on or after 1 January 2000 need a WOF once a year. Older vehicles need one every six months. A vehicle being sold by a trader must have a WOF issued within the last month, unless you sign a waiver to take it away unregistered. NZTA sets out the warrant of fitness requirements.
What should I check before signing anything?
Ask to see the Consumer Information Notice displayed on the vehicle, check the odometer reading against the service history, and confirm there is no money owing on it. A dealer should be registered on the Motor Vehicle Traders Register, which you can search online before you commit.
Does a dealer have to take my trade-in?
No, and the value offered is a matter of negotiation rather than a fixed figure. Most Whanganui yards will appraise a trade-in free of charge, so it costs nothing to get a number and compare it against selling privately.
How We Chose the Best Used Car Dealers in Whanganui
Every business in this guide was found by searching for used car dealers in Whanganui, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Whanganui, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.
