Ultimate Cost Guide To Buying A Campervan In New Zealand
Last Updated On 4th February 2024 By Lauren | Wild Lovely World
Home » Blog » Trip Planning » Campervans »If you’re coming to New Zealand to travel and thinking of buying a campervan, you’re probably wondering: how much does a campervan cost to buy in New Zealand?
I remember when I was planning my trip to New Zealand and I googled this very question myself! I was hoping for an answer to tell me how much I might need to budget to be able to afford the campervan I had always dreamed of! Well, finally this post has arrived guys, and I bring it to you myself. After actually coming to New Zealand, buying my van and living the van-life for 3+ years, I can tell you (almost) exactly how much it will cost for you to do it yourself!
There are many different costs associated with buying a campervan in New Zealand other than the cost of the actual campervan itself! There can be a lot to think about when you are purchasing a vehicle. Do you need insurance; what paperwork is required; how much are the road taxes; how much is fuel going to cost?!?… so many questions!
This post will explain all of this and much more! We will look at the true cost of buying a campervan in New Zealand. I will guide you through:
- All the expenses of purchasing a campervan in New Zealand (compulsory and optional)
- Tips on how to save and get the best deals.
- Explain the cost (low-high price ranges) of different models of campervans in New Zealand so that you can find the best camper to suit your needs and budget.
This COMPLETE GUIDE about the cost of buying a campervan in New Zealand will help you to plan and budget for your trip!
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Campervan In New Zealand? Your Complete Guide 🚐 💵
More Posts To Help You Buy A Campervan In New Zealand 🚐 🇳🇿 :
- 10 Essential Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Campervan In New Zealand
- 16 Most Popular Campervan Models For Backpackers To Buy | New Zealand
- 6 Places To Find Second-Hand Campervans For Sale In New Zealand
My 🇳🇿 New Zealand Travel Guide 🇳🇿 will be your ultimate companion to your New Zealand adventure!
2024 Update
Like many parts of the world, New Zealand has experienced an increase in costs and rising prices. This includes the market value of second-hand vehicles.
New Zealand is still feeling the effects of the extreme weather events that happened in New Zealand (including Cyclone Gabrielle) in 2023. Following those events, second-hand vehicles rose sharply in higher demand, pushing prices up.
Additionally, with the cost of living rising and inflation at a high level, prices have continued to increase further.
Unfortunately, with everything costing more, it means that the van life you always dreamed of is more expensive than ever!
However, don’t let that stop you from experiencing your New Zealand adventure. You can still find good deals to suit your budget.
This complete cost guide has heaps of amazing tips to help you keep costs down and save money when travelling in a campervan in New Zealand. And my top tips on finding and buying a campervan in New Zealand will give you the best chance of getting a campervan for a fair price.
Is A Campervan Worth It? 3 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Campervan To Travel In New Zealand (Even If You’re On A Budget)
You might be wondering about the cost of a campervan in New Zealand because you are not sure whether you should buy one or not. So, let’s look first at why you should buy a campervan to travel around New Zealand.
New Zealand is a very popular place to travel by campervan. It’s a passion shared by both backpackers and Kiwis alike. Many backpackers choose to buy a campervan to travel in New Zealand, even if they are only visiting for a few months. This is because it can be more cost-effective than renting a campervan, especially if you want to travel for more than a few weeks.
Travelling by campervan is the best way to travel in New Zealand (in my humble opinion). I think it is worth it! Here are three reasons why you should buy a campervan to travel in New Zealand…
1. A Campervan Will Save You Money On Food & Accommodation Costs
New Zealand has great amenities for campervans. In particular, New Zealand allows Freedom Camping. Freedom Campsites are places where campers can park up and sleep overnight completely for free. There are also dump stations, drinking water, toilets and much more located at these sites.
I was fortunate to travel around New Zealand for a total of 3 years, and during that time I stayed at freedom campsites all over the country. Many freedom campsites are in amazing locations, such as forests, the beach or lakes. These free campsites have views better than any 5-star hotel! There are also freedom campsites in cities too, so even in more populated locations, you can stay in your campervan.
By staying in your van, you will save a TON of money, as you will not be paying anything for accommodation (you have your own with you 24/7!)! Even if you stay at a campsite on the odd occasion, it will still be cheaper than a hostel, motel or hotel.
By having a campervan you will also be able to cook all your meals in your van (and have somewhere to eat them) so you will save money by not eating out.
2. A Campervan Will Give You The Freedom To Travel Where You Want, When You Want
Another great reason to buy a campervan is that New Zealand lacks infrastructure. While it is possible, it is challenging to travel around the country by train and bus. Using public transport limits you to go to certain places. With a campervan, you have the freedom to go anywhere.
Many amazing hidden locations in New Zealand require a vehicle to visit, and you don’t want to miss out on them!
3. Campervans Are Plentiful & Cheap To Buy In New Zealand
New Zealand is a great location to start your van life dream. That is because New Zealand has a booming campervan market. There are many vans to buy and sell, and prices can be cheap (compared to other countries). New Zealanders like their vehicles and there are more vehicles in New Zealand than there are people! I will give you specific costs and guides on how much different campervan models cost in New Zealand below.
Now that I’ve convinced you that you need a campervan to travel around New Zealand (not that you needed convincing anyway), let’s take a look at answering that killer question: how much does a campervan cost in New Zealand?
Cost Of Different Models Of Campervan In New Zealand
First, we will look at different models of campervans and their costs in New Zealand. There are quite a few popular models of camper cars and campervans which people tend to buy to use for travelling in New Zealand. All of them have their own pros and cons. The model which you choose will be based on your own budget and needs, so keep that in mind!
I’ve written a detailed post on all the different campervan models to buy for travelling in New Zealand. I recommend giving that a read so you have a better understanding of what to look for in a campervan before you buy.
Related Read: Which Campervan Model To Buy For Traveling In New Zealand
The kind of campervan you will want to buy will depend on your own circumstances. You will need to think about how long you want to travel in it for, what season you will be travelling, what kind of fittings you want in the van and also what your budget is. To help you determine all of that, you should write a list of your requirements and use this to help you choose.
To help you know how much the different types of campervans cost, I will provide a breakdown here. The cost will be largely determined by the model of the vehicle (size), the age and condition of the vehicle, and the features of the interior. All prices/$ are in New Zealand dollars.
Related Read: Where To Look To Buy A Campervan In New Zealand
Summary Table: Cost Of Different Models Of Campervan In New Zealand
The table below is a summary of the information above and shows the cost of different models of campervans and their approximate price ranges.
| Size/Model Of Campervan | Approx. Low Price Range | Approx. High Price Range |
| Small-Size Camper-Cars | $4000 | $8000 |
| Large-Size Camper-Cars | $8000 | $10000 |
| Smaller Mid-Size Campervans – Basic Setup | $8000 | $12000 |
| Larger Mid-Size Campervans – Luxury Setup | $11000 | $16000 |
| Large-Size Campervans | $20000 | $40000 |
Let’s go into more depth about these different campervan sizes and models below.
Related Read: Which Campervan Model To Buy For Traveling In New Zealand
Small Campervan Models In New Zealand (Camper Cars) – Cost Approx. $4000-$10000 🚗
Smaller models of campervan are incredibly popular in New Zealand. They are more of a large car making it big enough to fit a bed and a little kitchen in the back. These models are also known as camper cars.
There are a few models of camper cars in New Zealand. The Toyota Estima is probably THE most popular backpacker camper car in New Zealand. This is mostly because they are cheap and in abundance! You can get a Toyota Estima for around $4000-$8000 ($3000-$5000 prior to 2023). Other options for camper cars similar to the Toyota Estima are the Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV. They will cost roughly the same.
Another option for a camper car is the Nissan Serena. They can be slightly more expensive than the Toyota Estima but they are bigger so give much more room. Similar models to the Nissan Serena are the Nissan Elgrand and the Toyota Noah. These types of campervans can cost between $6000-$10000 ($5000-$7000 prior to 2023).
Who Should Buy A Small-Size Campervan?
- Great for smaller budgets: If you’re on a tight budget, then a small-size campervan can make a great choice.
- Perfect for solo travellers: A smaller camper car is better suited to a single/solo traveller due to the size of the living space. A couple can enjoy this kind of camper car if they are only doing a few weekend or month-long road trips. For long-term couple travellers, you may want to consider a larger model of campervan.
Mid-Size Campervan Models In New Zealand – Cost Approx. $8000-$16000 🚐
A campervan is much more advantageous than a camper car because the living space inside is much bigger. These vans tend to be old mini-buses or work vans. They have had the seats/storage ripped out the back and then converted into campervans. They are a typical campervan you will see in New Zealand.
You will find that there are quite a few different models and types of vans that can be purchased as a campervan in New Zealand. There are also smaller ones and much bigger ones of typical, mid-size campervans.
Smaller models of mid-size campervans include:
- Ford Econovan
- Nissan Vanette
- Mitsubishi L300
- Toyota TownAce/LiteAce
- Mitsubishi Delica
Larger models of mid-size campervans include:
- Toyota Hiace
- Nissan Caravan/Homy
- Mazda Bongo
The cost of a mid-size campervan in New Zealand will not so much depend on the vehicle model but will vary more depending on the level of kit they have. For example, a van with a second battery, fridge and solar system will cost in the higher range, such as $11000-$16000 ($10000-$12000 prior to 2023). A van that has a more basic setup will cost in the lower range, such as $8000-$12000 ($5000-$8000 prior to 2023).
Mid-size styles of campervan like the Toyota Hiace, Nissan Caravan and Mazda Bongo tend to come in high-top, long-wheelbase and pop-top versions too. You can increase your living space inside by getting a van with a pop-top, hi-top (HT) or a long-wheelbase (LWB). Read this post for more information about LWB, HT and Pop-Top campervans. Campervans with these features will be more expensive than without them.
The Toyota Hiace is possibly the most popular campervan model to buy for travelling in New Zealand. The Nissan Caravan/Homy is very similar to the Toyota Hiace.
Who Should Buy A Mid-Size Campervan?
- Perfect for couples: Mid-size campervan models are an excellent choice for a campervan overall and are perfect for a couple travelling together.
- Suits most budgets: There is a big price range in the mid-size campervan market, so you are bound to find a campervan that suits almost any budget.
- Long-term van life: I would say that it is possible to live in a mid-size campervan long-term, as long as you have access to freedom camping facilities. My partner and I have a mid-size campervan (Nissan Caravan) and we have lived in it quite happily for many months at a time! Tried and tested!
Large Campervan Models In New Zealand – Cost Approx. $20000-$40000 🚌
Large campervan models like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ford Transit are much more expensive than a typical backpacker campervan. On the other hand, they can offer a level of luxury that most van-lifers would only dream of! Being much more spacious and with a higher roof, they allow you to stand up inside. Many feature complete kitchens with a fridge and microwave and maybe even a bathroom, with hot water, shower and toilet. These vans will cost between $20000-$40000.
Who Should Buy A Large-Size Campervan?
- Long-term van life: If you’re looking for a tiny house on wheels or want to live in your van long-term, then a larger campervan could be a good investment for you.
- Luxury budget: If you have the cash to splash out on one of these larger-size campervans, then do it! You will be much more comfortable and have many luxuries that a lot of van-lifers must do without!
Costs Associated With Buying A Campervan In New Zealand
Many different costs must be factored into the purchase of a campervan in New Zealand, besides the actual cost of the vehicle itself.
Some of these costs are optional, which means you could choose not to spend them if you wish. However, I recommend giving it some serious thought before not spending money on those voluntary things.
Other costs are compulsory and a legal requirement when owning a vehicle in New Zealand. All prices/$ are New Zealand dollars.
Summary Table: Cost Associated With Buying A Campervan In New Zealand
The table below is a summary of the information above and shows the approximate cost of different vehicle expenses and whether they are optional or compulsory costs.
| Vehicle Expense | Approximate Cost | Optional Expense | Compulsory Expense |
| Pre-Purchase Inspection Check | $180-$210 per check | ✔ | |
| Insurance & Roadside Assistance | $0-??? (Budget at least $500) | ✔ | |
| Vehicle Licensing (Rego) | $9-$16 per month | ✔ | |
| Warrant Of Fitness (WOF) | $50-$75 per warrant | ✔ (Vehicles 1999 & older twice per year) | |
| Price Of Fuel | 250 – 310 cents per litre | ✔ (If you want to get anywhere!) | |
| Road User Charge (Diesel Vehicles Only) | $76 per 1000km | ✔ | |
| Vehicle Purchasing Paperwork Fee | $9 one-time fee | ✔ | |
| Vehicle Service | $200-$300 for each service | ✔ |
I will break each of these costs down one by one below.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Check – Approx. $180-210 Per Check – Optional 🕵️
Once you’ve found a vehicle that you like (check out this post on where to find a campervan) and are happy to purchase, before you go ahead and buy it, I highly recommend you invest in a Pre-Purchase Inspection Check (link to AA website).
This is a thorough check provided by a mechanic. The mechanic will assess the vehicle and will tell you the condition of the vehicle before you buy it, any potential Warrant Of Fitness (read more about WOFs in this blog post) issues or recommended repairs.
A Pre-Purchase Inspection can be done at most mechanics and the AA. The cost of a Pre-Purchase Inspection can vary depending on where you take it. The AA is the most popular place to get it done and they charge $180-210 per check. If you take it to a mechanic, they will set their own fees.
Yes, it can be expensive for a pre-purchase inspection check! If you have to pay more than once to get different vehicles checked (like we did) then it can end up costing quite a lot! But the cost is well worth it in the long run in case there are any hidden issues.
How To Book A Pre-Purchase Inspection & What Happens At The Appointment
If you go with the AA then it is really easy to book online. There are testing centers all over New Zealand, and in major cities like Auckland and Christchurch the AA can come to you to do the check. You will get a discount if you are an AA member.
As a potential vehicle buyer you don’t even need to be present at the check. You can arrange the Pre-Purchase Inspection for vehicles in a different location to where you are. For example, if you are interested in a vehicle in Christchurch but you are currently in Queenstown, then you can arrange the check to be done in Christchurch and have the inspection document emailed to you after it is complete. This way you can know in advance if the vehicle is worth pursuing further once you have the all-clear from the mechanic!
I took my campervan to AA to get checked before I bought it and I was really happy with the service. I spent about $200 on the Pre-Purchase Inspection. They emailed me a report which detailed their findings and included photos. I even spoke with the AA mechanic on the phone to discuss the vehicle and get clarification on anything that came up.
For more information about Pre-Purchase Inspection Checks in New Zealand, check out this post.
Insurance & Roadside Assistance – $0 – ??? (Budget At Least $500) – Optional 🛣️
It seems strange to me, but vehicle insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand. So if you wanted you could pay nothing for insurance and roadside recovery, but hear me out for a second…
If you get into an accident, the ACC (New Zealand Accident Compensation) will help pay for your medical treatment (even if you are just visiting New Zealand – find out more here on ACC’s website). And if you have travel insurance they may also cover you for a road accident (but make sure to get your travel insurance and check the policy before travelling to New Zealand!).
However, the ACC and travel insurance will not cover the cost of your vehicle or any damage you may cause to others. In that case, you may be eligible to pay, and it will be expensive.
A lot of people travelling to New Zealand do not want to buy vehicle insurance because they technically don’t have to according to New Zealand law. But I think that it is a sensible move to get insurance for your campervan!
I highly recommend getting vehicle insurance while you are driving in New Zealand. Get some quotes and factor this into your budget before you buy a campervan in New Zealand.
How To Get A Good Quote For Campervan Insurance In New Zealand
Of course, your insurance quote will depend on many factors such as how long you have held your license and the location you will register the vehicle, but you can get some good insurance prices.
When searching for your insurance, make sure to shop around. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a comparison website in New Zealand to help with this yet, so you need to do the research manually. Check out these insurance companies and get quotes from multiple providers:
Insurance Companies To Try For A Quote In New Zealand
- Tower Insurance
- Trade Me Insurance – Trade Me Insurance is underwritten by Tower Insurance, so the policies are the same. I found Trade Me to have good prices. Plus there is windscreen cover and Roadside Assistance.
- AA Insurance – Includes Breakdown Cover. As an AA Member, you will also get access to great discounts. This includes ferry crossings between the North & South Islands, high street stores and tourist attractions.
- AMI Insurance
- State New Zealand
- Frogs Backpacker Car Insurance – Third Party, Fire & Theft and Roadside only.
3 Tips On How To Reduce The Cost Of Your Car Insurance Premium In New Zealand
Here are my tips on how to keep the cost of your car insurance premium down in New Zealand:
- Get a New Zealand drivers license: Car insurance companies may include a larger excess for drivers using an overseas drivers license or International Drivers Permit in New Zealand. For example, my insurance company had an additional $1000 excess for International Drivers! It is easy to convert your overseas licence to a New Zealand licence and it costs around $52 – check out how to do it here on the NZ Transport Agency website. You can only drive on your overseas licence for 12 months so if you are staying longer it is a good idea to convert it.
- Have 2+ years of driving experience before driving in New Zealand: Being considered an “experienced driver” will reduce the cost of your vehicle insurance premium and additional excess charges.
- Be over the age of 25 & opt for “no cover for under 25s” additional benefit: Car insurance companies will often give a discount if you are over the age of 25 and if you agree that people under 25 years of age will not drive your car.
Roadside Assistance
It is useful to have Roadside Assistance as well, especially with all those unsealed New Zealand roads! Many places in New Zealand are very remote and are a long way from any service stations, so having a roadside recovery option is a good idea.
You can buy a roadside recovery policy separately or as part of your insurance policy. You can save money by getting it included in your insurance. Roadwise (link to Roadwise website) is included with Tower and Trade Me Insurance, but you can also get a plan separately from $3 per month. If you want to purchase one separately, AA offers a membership for $200 a year (link to AA website).
How Much I Paid For My Campervan Insurance & Roadside Assistance In New Zealand
In 2023, my insurance quote for Comprehensive insurance with Trade Me Insurance was around $550 (GBP£275) for 12-months. That included Roadside Assistance (with Roadwise) and Windscreen Cover too.
The cost was much cheaper than the vehicle insurance prices I paid in the UK and included recovery and windscreen replacements and repairs. I have had to use my windscreen cover a few times over the last two years, so I think it was worth it.
Each year, I also got a no-claims bonus which saves me a bit of money on my renewals.
Vehicle Buying Paperwork In New Zealand – $9 One Time Fee – Compulsory 📝
When you buy a campervan in New Zealand, the final step is to transfer ownership of the vehicle to yourself! Paperwork can often be confusing, but thankfully this process is incredibly easy in New Zealand (too easy in fact!).
There is a simple form to fill out and a payment to be paid. It costs just $9 to submit the form and do simple driver’s licence checks at the Post Office.
For more information about the process of buying a vehicle in New Zealand, check out this post which explains everything you need to know.
Vehicle Registration (Rego) – From $9-$16 Per Month – Compulsory 🧾
All vehicles in New Zealand need to be registered with the New Zealand Transport Authority. These are the taxes and other fees that you must pay to drive a vehicle legally on New Zealand’s roads. Colloquially it is called ‘Rego’.
The cost is per month and is different for every vehicle. So, the Rego will depend on what kind of campervan you buy, but you can get an idea of how much to budget for.
Typical licensing fees are different depending on whether you purchase a diesel or petrol-driven campervan. A larger van-type camper will also be more expensive than a smaller camper-car-type camper.
Most campervans will fall within the $9-$15 per month Rego cost range, which is between $109-$176 per year.
Remember the ACC that I mentioned earlier? Well, you actually pay an ACC Levy as part of your vehicle licensing fee. Included in the cost are other admin fees and road taxes, to make up the overall amount.
To get an idea of how much it might cost, you can see all vehicle licensing fees here on the New Zealand Transport Agency website. Or, if you have the license plate number, then you can check to get a more specific figure on this website (rightcar.govt.nz), plus a detailed breakdown of the Rego cost.
You can pay for the Rego at the New Zealand Post Office shops. You fill out a short, easy form with the vehicle’s information and then pay the fee with the clerk. They give you a label to display in your windscreen which shows when the Rego has been paid until. You can pay from 1-month to 12-months at a time.
How Much I Paid For My Campervan Rego In New Zealand
For my campervan (Nissan Caravan, similar to a Toyota Hiace), it cost around $127 per year for the rego. It is classed as a private passenger, petrol-driven goods van under 3500kg – see here on NZTA for Rego costs for different vehicles. Here is a breakdown of what is included in that cost:
2 Top Tips For Saving Money On Vehicle Licensing Costs
Here are two tips for saving money on your campervan Rego costs.
- Pay your Rego a few months at a time: You can pay the vehicle licensing on a monthly basis. You can decide how many months you want to pay when you go to Post Office to pay it. For example, you could pay for 1 month, 6 months or 12 months and anything in between – it is up to you. This is handy if you are only purchasing the vehicle for a short amount of time and you don’t want to pay for a whole year upfront. So you can save some money by just purchasing a few months at a time.
- Purchase a smaller, petrol-driven vehicle: Another way to save money on your Rego fees is to get a smaller van that uses petrol. Diesel Rego fees are higher than petrol fees. Plus, the smaller the vehicle then the cheaper the cost too. If the campervan weighs less than 3500kg, then you will save a lot of money (about $200 per year) on vehicle licensing fees.
Warrant Of Fitness – Approx. $50-75 Per Warrant – Compulsory 🧑🔧
Every vehicle in New Zealand needs to have a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) to be road regal. A WOF is a check on the vehicle to make sure it passes certain safety standards. Things like seat belts, tyres, breaks and windscreen wipers are checked.
The frequency of the WOF depends on the age of the vehicle. Vehicles older than the year 2000 (1999 or older) need to have a WOF every 6 months. Vehicles from the year 2000 and newer can get a WOF every 12 months. This is handy to keep in mind when you are buying a second-hand vehicle as it will determine how often you’ll have to pay to take it to a mechanic for a WOF!
A WOF can be done at most mechanics in New Zealand and costs about $50-75 (varies depending on the garage as they set their own charges). Any repairs required to pass the WOF will cost extra.
Price Of Fuel In New Zealand – Approx. 250 – 310 ¢ Per Litre ⛽
The price of fuel in New Zealand, like much of the rest of the world, is increasing rapidly. In just one year of living in New Zealand, I noticed that petrol prices had increased by approx $1 per litre (from 2020-to 2021). That’s huge!
In 2024, the fuel prices have started to stabilise a bit and the price does not fluctuate too much anymore (compared with 2022). However, the price does vary greatly depending on what type of fuel you buy and where you buy it.
Here is an idea of the average cost for different types of fuel in New Zealand in 2024:
- Petrol 91 – 240-270 cents per litre
- Petrol 95 – 250-280 cents per litre
- Diesel – 200-230 cents per litre
You’re more likely to see cheaper prices in cities and more expensive prices in remote areas. But that is not always the case. I have gotten a really good deal at some tiny village service stations before and paid a horrendously expensive price in the city.
Some regions also implement their own taxes. For example, Auckland’s fuel prices are typically 10 cent more per litre than elsewhere in the country because of their regional fuel tax (link to NZTA website). So it does really depend on where you are filling up, and you need to shop around.
I have listed my top tips below for how to save money on fuel costs.
Diesel Engines – Road User Charges – $76 Per 1000km – Compulsory
While diesel is cheaper at the fuel station, diesel engines in New Zealand also incur a mileage charge. This is an extra payment that diesel drivers must pay depending on how many km they drive! It is called Road User Charges (RUC) and you can find out more here (link to NZTA website).
To get an idea of how much this costs, check here to go to the NZ Transport Agency website. Basically, you’re looking at about NZD $76 per 1000km for a typical campervan or camper car. So this is something that you will need to factor into your budget. The RUC can be paid in advance or after the mileage has been incurred, and it is simple enough to do. However, it is another level of bureaucracy to navigate if you buy a diesel vehicle in New Zealand.
4 Top Tips For Saving Money On Fuel Costs In New Zealand
Here are my four top tips for saving money on your fuel costs in New Zealand:
- Download the app Gaspy: This app is free to download and will tell you the cheapest fuel prices closest to you. It is user updated so if you join make sure to update and confirm fuel prices to help fellow users!
- Buy fuel at the cheapest shops: Typically we have found that these fuel stations have the cheapest/best deals on fuel prices:
- In the North Island – Caltex, Pak n’ Save Fuel, New World Fuel and Z
- In the South Island – Allied, NPD, McKeown and RD
- Get fuel discount vouchers from the supermarket: If you shop at Pak n’ Save or New World, you will more often than not be given a fuel voucher along with your receipt. These vouchers can be used at whatever local fuel station they have partnered with – usually Pak n’ Save Fuel, Z, Caltex or New World Fuel. You can save between 6 cents and 10 cents per litre with these discount vouchers.
- Join fuel station loyalty programs for discounts: Many different fuel station companies have their own membership programs which if you join will give you a discount. This is as simple as picking up a free membership card at the fuel station or supermarket. Typically they offer 6 cents off per litre, but sometimes there are 10 cents off days. I have joined all of them because you never know where you will need to fill up. Here are the ones you can join:
- Flybuys (Pumped) – Fuel discounts at Caltex and Z (6 cents or 10 cents off per litre)
- Mobil Smiles – Fuel discounts at Mobil (6 cents or 10 cents off per litre)
- AA Smart Fuel/Countdown Card – Fuel discounts at G.A.S and BP (6 cents off per litre when you spend $40 or more)
Vehicle Maintenance – Yearly Service Costs Approx. $200-$300 – Optional 🔧
Of course, as a vehicle owner, you will have vehicle maintenance expenses you will need to pay as you go for general wear and tear. On top of this, it is recommended to get a yearly service to change the oil and filters as well as other general maintenance. A full service at a mechanic in New Zealand will typically cost between $200-$300 depending on the garage’s own fees and the type of vehicle that you own.
Essential Read: 10 Important Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Campervan In New Zealand
3 More Tips To Help You Save Money On The Cost Of A Campervan In New Zealand
Here are some of my awesome extra tips to help you save on the cost of buying a campervan in New Zealand:
1. Buy A Campervan At The Right Time Of Year To Get A Better Deal
A lot of people go to New Zealand to travel in the summer, buy a campervan and then at the end of the summer want to sell it. If you end up being one of these people then you will likely pay much more as you will be competing with other people for the campers!
You can save money on the cost of buying a campervan if you buy it at the right time. The best time to buy a campervan in New Zealand is in February/March/April at the end of the summer season. Campervans will be cheaper at this time because there will be many more for sale.
2. A Self-Contained Campervan Will Help Save You Money In The Long-Term
You may want to consider buying a Self-Contained campervan model (SC) for travelling in New Zealand. A vehicle with self-contained certification is much more useful as it means that you can camp at any of the many freedom camping spots across New Zealand. Therefore with a SC campervan you will be able to save a lot of money on the cost of accommodation while travelling in New Zealand.
If you do not have a self-contained vehicle, you will often need to pay to park at campsites overnight. There are a few freedom camping sites where you can park Non-Self-Contained (NSC) vehicles, but they are few and far between.
3. Make Sure The Vehicle You Buy Has Valid WOF & Rego
Purchasing a vehicle that already has a valid WOF and Rego is really important. It not only shows that the van is in good nick by the time you buy it, but it also saves you the cost of having to purchase the WOF and Rego yourself. Buying a campervan without a valid WOF is a risk because there could be problems with it which could cost a lot to fix. Save yourself the hassle and make sure that the vehicle already has a valid WOF and Rego before you buy it!
Check out this post to find out where the best places to look to buy a secondhand campervan in New Zealand.
How Much Does A Campervan Cost In New Zealand? Your Complete Cost Guide To Buying A Campervan In New Zealand
There can be many costs associated with purchasing a vehicle in New Zealand that you will need to consider. But with the right budget and a clear idea of your priorities, you will be able to buy a campervan in New Zealand that is just right for you.
I hope that this post has answered all your questions on how much it can cost to buy a campervan in New Zealand. However, if you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them! Leave a comment below or get in touch.
Happy van-living! 🚐 😊
Keen To Learn More About NZ Van Life? Check Out These Posts 🚐 🇳🇿 :
- 10 Important Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Campervan In New Zealand
- Which Campervan Model To Buy For Travelling In New Zealand
- 6 Places To Find Secondhand Campervans For Sale In New Zealand
- The Best Freedom Camping Spots In Wellington City
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My Travel Resources guide will help you get the best deals when booking your next trip – check it out here!
Lauren | Wild Lovely World
Lauren is a coffee and cat obsessed travel writer from the U.K., specialising in solo female, couple travel and budget backpacking. She has previously lived in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England and Scotland. Follow her adventures around the world on her blog WildLovelyWorld.com
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