What to Know About Our Car Dealerships – Portage Cars FAQs

We sure do! Here at Portage, we want to help you squeeze every last dollar out of your old car, so we offer trade-in deals that will help fund your new set of wheels. We provide a free, no-obligation trade exchange valuation, which we guarantee for up to 7 days. Our expert valuers are on hand to ensure you get the best price for your old car. Find out more about our car trade-in process.

Portage Cars is well and truly your local! We have car dealerships up and down the country, meaning you’re never too far from a deal. Visit our locations page to find a Portage Cars branch near you.

Portage Cars opening hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm across all our locations. Our larger car dealerships may be open from 8 am to 6 pm. With summer being the busy season, you’ll be pleased to find we are open a little later on those sunny days. You can visit our location pages for more detailed information on our opening hours. 

While the individual cars are not specifically AA-approved, Portage Cars is an AA-approved dealer. This means we have been certified by AA to meet their quality standards. Buying a used car from an AA-approved dealership like ourselves will mean that our inspectors have thoroughly checked your car to ensure it’s roadworthy and ready for its new journey. 

Our staff are experts at matching drivers with new rides. Before hunting down the perfect car, we’ll start by probing you for extra information on your wants and needs. Everyone should have a car that matches their personality and lifestyle, and with Portage Cars, that’s exactly what you’ll get.

Car finance (also called vehicle finance or a personal car loan) allows you to purchase a vehicle by borrowing money and paying it back in regular instalments – weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Instead of paying the full purchase price upfront, you spread the cost over 12 to 60 months with fixed repayments. The loan is secured against the vehicle, which often means better rates than unsecured personal loans.

Deposit requirements vary based on your credit history and the vehicle you’re purchasing. At Portage Cars, we offer flexible deposit options – in some cases, you may qualify for 0% deposit car finance. However, putting down a larger deposit will reduce your loan amount and the total interest you’ll pay over the term. Our team can advise what’s best for your situation.

Absolutely! Getting pre-approved for car finance before you start shopping is actually a smart move. You’ll know exactly what you can afford, which makes browsing our 600+ cars much easier. Apply online or call 0800 554 676 to get your pre-approval sorted first.

Our car finance rates are competitive and depend on several factors including your credit history, driver’s licence status, the vehicle age, and current market conditions. We work with multiple lenders to find you the best rate for your circumstances. Use our finance calculator for an estimate, or contact us for a personalised quote.

Yes! We specialise in bad credit car finance in NZ and work with lenders who consider applications from people with less-than-perfect credit histories. While you may need to provide additional information and rates may be higher, we’ve helped hundreds of Kiwis secure vehicle finance despite past credit issues. Call us on 0800 554 676 to discuss your situation – we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible.

Yes, self-employed Kiwis can absolutely get car finance through Portage Cars. You’ll need to provide proof of income (typically recent tax returns or bank statements), but we work with lenders who understand how self-employment works. Our team can guide you through what documentation you’ll need.

Yes! We offer commercial vehicle finance for tradies, small businesses, and contractors. Check out our commercial finance page for more information on business vehicle loans, or call us to discuss your commercial finance needs.

While standard vehicle insurance might cover theft and damage from accidents, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (sometimes known as engine breakdown insurance) can cover mechanical faults and repairs, like steering problems, engine repairs, electric battery replacements, or auto-electrical issues. However, it’s important to note mechanical insurance will not cover standard wear and tear issues. Visit our car insurance policy page to learn more.

If labour and parts costs are under your mechanical breakdown insurance policy, then yes, both would be covered. The Portage Cars car insurance policy includes most parts, and larger mechanical parts and labour are fully covered.

An excess is the amount that you contribute to a claim. If you make a claim and it’s accepted, your insurer will pay the repair or replacement costs over your excess amount. Each excess could be different depending on the fault. Usually, excess costs will fall between $250-$100, depending on the policy.

Our car insurance policy will cost anywhere between [for 3 years $795 to $1695 ] depending on the vehicle and your chosen level of coverage. If you have any questions about our mechanical warranties and what option is best for you, drop our team a line, and we’ll be happy to help.

It sure can! One of our staff will be in touch before your current car insurance policy expires to discuss your extension options. You can extend your policy weekly, monthly, or fortnightly.

When collecting your car, we’ll need keys, bits, and pieces to ensure you are you and we aren’t giving your new car to Joe Blow. We need proof of identity, a valid driver’s license, finalised payment if not already completed, and finance documents if applicable. 

Before you can speed off in your new car, you’ll need to set a time and date to come and collect your car. Drop your salesperson a line, and they can arrange a timeframe that works for you. 

This one isn’t rocket science. When picking up your new car, you’ll need to grab it from the dealership you purchased it from. 

When paying for your new car, you can either pay on the day you pick it up or pay before pick up. However, we will need proof on the day of your prior payment. 

If you are financing your new car, you need a comprehensive insurance cover letter before driving away. However, if you purchase it outright, you won’t require any form of insurance, but we highly recommend organising it beforehand. You never know when an accident could happen!

First things first, jump on the phone with the person who sold you the car.

If you can’t find the answers you need, please contact the Branch you purchased the vehicle from.

We have a range of affordable cover for your vehicle, choose from one-year warranty to a two- or three-year cover period for a few extra pennies. With this extra protection, you can confidently drive around town, knowing you’re covered for anything that may happen.

In an ideal world, you’ll have been shown all the bells and whistles your new car has by the salesperson before you’ve purchased it. However, if something has fallen through the cracks, contact the person who sold you the car. They’ll be able to talk you through any features you don’t understand. If you can’t get a hold of the salesperson, the car dealership manager is your next best bet. For their contact information, visit our location pages.