Summary
Short answer – YES.
You can sell a car in New Zealand without a WOF or REGO. You don’t need to fix it, relicense it, or make it road-legal first.
Whether your vehicle is old, rusted, deregistered, non-running, accident damaged, flood damaged, or simply unwanted, there are legal ways to sell it safely and responsibly in NZ, often with free removal and same-day payment.
This 2026 guide explains:
◾ What the law actually says
◾ Your best selling options in NZ
◾ What paperwork matters (and what doesn’t)
◾ How to sell without stress, even if the car won’t start
◾ How we help Kiwis clear their yards and keep the environment clean ♻️
👉 If you’re thinking “I just want it gone”, you’re in the right place.
If your car’s sitting in the driveway with no WOF, no rego, a bit of rust, or even accident / flood damage, you’re not alone. In NZ, heaps of people put off selling because they think they must fix it first.
Good news: you usually don’t.
This guide breaks down what’s legal, what paperwork matters, and the easiest way to sell a car, van, SUV, 4×4, ute, truck, tractor (and more) in any condition, while keeping your yard tidy and helping keep the environment cleaner too.
The quick answer: Yes, you can sell without WOF or rego in NZ
You can sell a vehicle in NZ even if it has no current WOF or no current rego/licence, the key is being upfront with the buyer and correctly updating the registered person details with Waka Kotahi.
What you can’t do is drive it on the road if it’s not legal to be on the road (no WOF/rego can mean it’s not lawfully usable). If it’s not road-legal, plan on a tow / trailer / pickup instead.
Common searches this covers (and yes, we’ll answer them all):
◾ sell car without WOF NZ
◾ sell car without rego NZ
◾ no WOF no rego car buyers NZ
◾ sell non running car NZ
◾ sell wrecked / damaged / rusted car NZ
◾ free car removal NZ
◾ cash for cars NZ
We have seen them all..
What the law says (in simple and straight forward terms)
Waka Kotahi cares about the “registered person” change
NZTA/Waka Kotahi doesn’t record “ownership” the way people think. It legally requires you to change the registered person when the vehicle changes hands.
What about selling without a fresh WOF?
Standard guidance says that unless you agree otherwise, a light vehicle should have a WoF issued within one month of handing it over. The practical takeaway: if your car has no WOF, you can still sell it – just agree in writing that it’s being sold as-is / no WOF (especially in a private sale).
Cancelling registration (deregistering) is a separate step
If you’re cancelling registration (for example, because it’s being scrapped), Waka Kotahi has a formal process.
There are also rules around surrendering plates when registration is cancelled.
Bottom line:
You can sell a car with no WOF/rego, but you should do the right admin so you’re not stuck with future tickets, tolls, or fees.
Your best options in NZ (and when each one makes sense)
Option A: Sell privately (works best for roadworthy-ish cars)
Private sale is usually best when the vehicle is:
◾ Still drivable
◾ Only needs minor work
◾ Likely to pass WOF without major repairs
But if it’s no WOF, no rego, non-running, rusty, or damaged, private buyers often expect a bargain and it can turn into weeks of messages, no-shows, and “mate what’s your lowest price?”
Option B: Sell to a wrecker / cash-for-cars buyer (best for “any condition”)
This is usually the smoothest route if you’re searching things like:
◾ “sell my damaged car NZ”
◾ “sell non-running car NZ”
◾ “sell rusted car NZ”
◾ “sell deregistered car NZ”
A professional buyer can typically handle:
◾ No WOF / no rego
◾ Old / high km
◾ Accident damaged / written-off
◾ Flood damaged
◾ Rusted / failed WOF
◾ Non-running / engine issues
And crucially: pickup can be organized so you don’t have to move it yourself.
How to sell a car with no WOF or rego (step-by-step checklist)
Here’s the simplest, low-stress way to do it, whether it’s a car, van, SUV, 4×4, ute, or truck:
1. Be clear about the vehicle’s condition
No WOF? No rego? Non-running? Rust? Accident damage? Say it upfront.
2. Get the key details ready (saves time and gets a better quote)
◾ Plate or VIN/chassis (if available)
◾ Make/model/year
◾ Location (easy access vs stuck on grass/behind a fence)
◾ What’s missing (battery, wheels, catalytic converter, keys)
3. Agree the sale terms in writing
Even a simple text/email is fine:
◾ “Sold as-is, no WOF/rego, buyer to collect/tow.”
4. Update the registered person change with Waka Kotahi
You’re legally required to notify Waka Kotahi when you sell or dispose of a vehicle (including destruction). Do it straight away.
5. Arrange pickup (don’t risk driving it)
If it’s not road-legal, towing/pickup is the safe move.
Pro tip: If you’re worried about liability after the sale, the single best thing you can do is complete the registered person change promptly.
How we help (friendly, fast, and good for the yard + the planet)
We’re in the business of helping Kiwis clear their yards and get rid of vehicles that are just taking up space, while keeping unwanted cars out of places they shouldn’t end up.
What we do:
✔ Buy vehicles in any condition: old, used, rusty, no WOF, no rego, damaged, flood damaged, non-running
✔ Free vehicle removal (we pick it up so you don’t have to stress)
✔ Pay up to $12,000 depending on the vehicle, condition, demand, and accessibility (we’ll always explain what drives the price)
What you get:
✔ A quick offer
✔ A pickup time that suits you
✔ Payment on collection (method agreed in advance)
✔ Peace of mind that the car is going where it should, being reused/recycled responsibly
If you’re sitting there thinking “I just want it gone”, you’re exactly who we built this service for.