Ask an expert

Hi.

We've test driven a used car (in Auckland) and the car yard didn't tell us about the car having snow tyres. The guy was trying to get us to buy without getting a VTNZ check. We obviously gothis done and it's come back saying the car has snow tyres.

My question is:
• should the dealer have told us this?

if they should have told us, is this a minor or major breach of trust?

Basically I want to know whether we should trust them after not telling us this?

The rest of the VTNZ report came back ok (the drive belt needs replacing but that was all).

The car is a 2005 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.8L Wagon.

It's a mute point whether the dealer should have pointed it out or not. Most dealers will not as these tyres are legally allowed to be used in New Zealand. The problem being when it comes time for replacement, you will have to replace the set. Also, the minimum tread depth requirement is twice that of conventional tyres, at 4mm.
It is not really a breach as such and it is a scenario we hear of relatively frequently on Japanese Import cars.
Personally, I wouldn't want them and if you haven't signed anything agreeing to buy the car, I'd make any negotiation dependent on having the tyres replaced with conventional tyres.