Clean Car Standard
July 28, 2025

Your Complete Guide to Vehicle Compliance in New Zealand

Are you transporting a vehicle to New Zealand? If you're importing a car for personal use, resale, or moving, you must go through vehicle compliance to ensure that it's safe, legal, and ready for Kiwi roads.  

Although it may appear difficult, it doesn't have to be. This guide describes the process in detail and shows how Fasttrack Automotive Compliance can streamline it from start to finish.

What is Vehicle Compliance and Why Is It Important in NZ?

Vehicle compliance is the process of ensuring that your imported vehicle meets the environmental and safety requirements of New Zealand. Prior to being driven, sold, or registered, the vehicle must pass a number of inspections and approvals conducted by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

This includes:

  • A structural and safety inspection
  • A Warrant of Fitness (WoF) to check roadworthiness
  • Emissions testing
  • And getting a Compliance Plate that confirms it meets NZ standards

If the vehicle is 15 years or older, it may also need to be inspected as a Low Volume Vehicle. That is a more thorough inspection that looks for structural changes or uncommon specifications.  

The goal is simple: keep our roads safe, protect the environment, and make sure that all vehicles, regardless of origin, are appropriate for New Zealand conditions.

Where to Get Vehicle Compliance Done in New Zealand

We’ve made it easy, no matter where you’re based.

Fasttrack Automotive Compliance operates in:

  • Auckland (Penrose) – Our Auckland centre has 8 hoists, an experienced team, and on-site transport to get your vehicle through the process quickly and efficiently.
  • Christchurch (Magnum Compliance) – Covering the South Island, Magnum offers the same great service with friendly local support.

Our two compliance centres make sure your vehicle is in good hands from the time it arrives until it is prepared for use on the road.

Why Work With Fasttrack or Magnum Compliance?

Getting a vehicle complied can be overwhelming. But for us, it's simple. Here's what makes the difference:

  • Real capacity – With 8 hoists in Auckland and an experienced crew in Christchurch, we process vehicles efficiently and keep things moving.
  • In-house transport – We own our own truck and trailer and collaborate closely with our sister companies, so there is no waiting for third-party logistics.
  • Start-to-finish support – From helping you understand what paperwork is needed, to delivering your vehicle after compliance, we take care of it.
  • Nationwide coverage – North or South, you’ve got access to a trusted team who knows what they’re doing.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

To begin the compliance process, you’ll need:

  • The original ownership documents (like a deregistration certificate or bill of sale)
  • An export certificate from the country where the vehicle came from.  
  • Any other documents that confirm the details of the vehicle, such as mileage or specifications  

Once we’ve got that, we can take it from there.

Let’s Get Your Vehicle Road-Ready

Whether you're looking for "vehicle compliance near me" online, getting ready for a personal import, or simply want a dependable, simple process, Fasttrack Automotive Compliance and Magnum Compliance can help.


We understand the rules, the paperwork, and the procedure, and we care about getting it right.

Have questions or ready to get started?
Contact our team right now, and we'll help you take the next step towards getting your car on the road in a stress-free, certified, and safe manner.