On Road Costs (ORC) are the costs involved in us receiving a new vehicle from the manufacturer and preparing it for sale. Most vehicle manufacturers in New Zealand quote their prices as RRP + On Road Costs. On Road Costs are expected to be passed on by retailers to the customer and are not quoted in the RRP due to their variable nature.
ORC include, but are not limited to, dealer pre-delivery costs such as a mechanical inspection and WOF, a full groom and a full tank of fuel, plus the new vehicle registration fee and Road User Charges (for diesel vehicles).
These things are essential in order that you drive away in a warranted, registered and immaculate new vehicle.
What makes up On Road Costs?
12 months registration
The registration fee for a new vehicle is a mandatory requirement through the NZTA, and is a one-off fee for adding the vehicle to the NZ Motor Vehicle Register, and for issuing the number plates. Your On Road Costs include a registration fee for the first 12 months.
Please note that when you renew your ‘rego’ (at either 3, 6 or 12 month intervals) this is in fact called licensing your vehicle, and is different from the initial registration. The NZTA will send you a reminder about this. More information on registration and licensing can be found here.
Inspection & Preparation
When we receive a new vehicle from the manufacturer, we carry out a thorough mechanical inspection. Our factory-trained service technicians examine the vehicle to ensure everything is in perfect order and that there has been no physical damage or mechanical problems during its transit to the dealership.
Along with the full mechanical inspection, we test the vehicle’s on-board computer and safety systems, including updating software as required. We also set the clock, programme the radio and fit any accessories. Our final checks include carrying out a wheel alignment and a road test.
Warrant of Fitness
All our service departments are certified to issue Warrants of Fitness (WOFs). Once the mechanical inspection has taken place, our service department carries out a Warrant of Fitness check, to ensure everything on your new vehicle meets New Zealand’s safety standards. They will then issue the WOF, which on a brand new vehicle is valid for three years. You will be notified when your WOF is due for renewal. More information on Warrants of Fitness can be found here.
Grooming
A new car wouldn’t feel new if it wasn’t immaculately presented. Our grooming team are a key part of preparing the vehicle for you. They remove all the transit packing and protection and give the vehicle an extensive clean and groom inside and out, checking all panels and paintwork. They attach the plates and necessary labels, and check that the manuals and warranty booklets etc are present. Their final pre-delivery checks ensure that you can hop in and drive away with everything smelling, looking and working just as it should be!
Fuel
We provide a full tank of fuel with every new vehicle we sell. On hybrid vehicles, this includes conventional fuel, plus a check, test and full charge of the battery. On electric vehicles, this is a check, test and full charge of the battery.
Road User Charges (Diesel only)
Everyone using NZ’s roads contributes to their upkeep by means of a levy. Petrol is levied and paid for at the pump. Diesel however is levied by means of Road User Charges. If your new vehicle runs on diesel, you need to have a valid RUC distance licence at all times. Our On Road Costs include your first 2,000kms of Road User Charges. You can find out more about RUC here.
1 Month Service Inspection
It’s very important with a new vehicle that it has a check-up after it has been on the road for a while. This ensures that everything is running as it should be. Built into our On Road Costs is your first vehicle inspection, which we do after you’ve owned the vehicle for one month. At this inspection, our service technicians will talk to you to make sure everything is going well from your point of view, and they’ll carry out a thorough mechanical check and computer test to ensure everything’s AOK from their point of view too.
