NZTA Letter - Unexpected Change of ownership notification. Haven't sold/traded anything

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › NZTA Letter - Unexpected Change of ownership notification. Haven't sold/traded anything

seoras

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#270083 22-Apr-2020 15:45

Today's post brings a weird surprise. A letter from the NZ Transport Agency informing me that I am no longer the registered owner of my trailer.

Well that's news to me. It's sitting right outside as I type this. I even took the letter to it just to double check the registration plate on it.

Genuine error on the part of the NZTA? Or should I be a bit paranoid given that I can't call them to correct it due to the level 4 lock down and their offices being closed.

I've emailed them and raised this but I'm now wondering if I should takes the wheels off it before it disappears in the night.... (I'm rural)

snnet

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#2467956 22-Apr-2020 15:47

I'd guess a data entry error - usually thieves don't want fines to go to their address if they're nicking something!

seoras

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#2467958 22-Apr-2020 15:50

snnet:

I'd guess a data entry error - usually thieves don't want fines to go to their address if they're nicking something!

Thanks! I've only been here 6 years and I still feel a bit NZ-Novice at times.

Wondered if this was a known trick or scam. Didn't know who else to ask so thought I'd check here with you guys.

I probably wouldn't be so suspicious but for the lock down preventing me from calling this in as an error. Wondered if someone was taking advantage of that. I guess NZTA will be open middle of next week for business as usually? Or not...?

maoriboy

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#2467965 22-Apr-2020 16:04

NZTA doesn't keep a record of ownership, only of the person registered (i.e. responsible) for the vehicle. It genuinely be a typo and is easily corrected by contacting them. They may need some evidence it's still in your possession - a photo for example - but it's generally pretty painless....

disclaimer - I worked at NZTA for 5 years

seoras

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#2467978 22-Apr-2020 16:49

maoriboy:

NZTA doesn't keep a record of ownership, only of the person registered (i.e. responsible) for the vehicle. It genuinely be a typo and is easily corrected by contacting them. They may need some evidence it's still in your possession - a photo for example - but it's generally pretty painless....

disclaimer - I worked at NZTA for 5 years

Awesome, that's calmed my paranoia. :) Thanks!

Bung

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#2467995 22-Apr-2020 17:25

A bit of paranoia is healthy when it comes to trailers. Locally there have been at least 2 occasions when several trailers were taken from a business or a trailer manufacturer's yard. I asked a cop what was going on and so far the only theory is that they would be reregistered as new "homebuilt" and sold somewhere else. A lot of trailers don't have anything on the chassis to permanently id them.

seoras

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#2468000 22-Apr-2020 17:43

Bung: A bit of paranoia is healthy when it comes to trailers. Locally there have been at least 2 occasions when several trailers were taken from a business or a trailer manufacturer's yard. I asked a cop what was going on and so far the only theory is that they would be reregistered as new "homebuilt" and sold somewhere else. A lot of trailers don't have anything on the chassis to permanently id them.

A mate of mine, who's a cop, teased me about my trailer just after I got it. I was asking him about the position of the lights and reg plate being ok. Which, incidentally, I was warned about at its last WoF.

He said "Reality is it will probably get stolen before you get ticketed".

So, yeah, that's another reason why I'm a bit paranoid about it. I did wonder if someone had photographed it and sold it online as their own, can't view in person due to lock down and the buyer now thinks it's their's for picking up. Looking at the NZTA website it looks like the buyer can change the registration.

My trailer does have my name, my wife's name and the year it was built inscribed with a welder on the chassis. You'd need a good grinder to remove it and not without ruining the galvanisation on the underside. There's other markers too but I'm keep them to myself. ;)

Once it's gone, it's gone. Highly unlikely that it'll every be found again no matter how much you tag it as yours.

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JarrodM

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#2468024 22-Apr-2020 18:59

My dads trailer got stolen last year, insurance paid out etc. few months later he got a call from the cops, they found the trailer, less than 2km from home! They’d removed the plates but put on plates from a red trailer which was right next to it. It was being used to harbour some stolen bikes. Moral is there are some dumb people out there and if it’s stolen, it may show up!

andrewNZ

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#2468026 22-Apr-2020 19:00

When I finally get a trailer, I plan to put a gps tracker in it somehow. Not certain how I'll power it yet, but I'll work that out when the time comes.

sbiddle

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#2468038 22-Apr-2020 19:17

I'm guessing it is one of the Bunning's TP1 trailers that have now all been recalled? NZTA have revoked all registrations on these in recent weeks after the full recall on March 20th due to them being used on the road because they're so dangerous.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/Vehicles/vehicle-safety-alerts/Product-recall-Bunnings-Trailpro-and-TP1-revocation-questions-and-answers-202003.pdf

These trailers have had multiple recalls over the years, but they've now taken this step and written to all owners because they are so dangerous.

seoras

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#2468055 22-Apr-2020 20:00

sbiddle:

I'm guessing it is one of the Bunning's TP1 trailers that have now all been recalled? NZTA have revoked all registrations on these in recent weeks after the full recall on March 20th due to them being used on the road because they're so dangerous.

Nope. It was custom built by a trailer specialist here in the Waikato. I had heard that the Chinese imported trailers suffered from really bad bearings. Confirmed by friends who bought one off trademe from a dealer in Auckland. They had to change the wheel bearings after only a couple of years.

The NZTA wouldn't remove someone as the "registered person" for a trailer just because it was deemed dangerous though would they? You still need to have someone who is responsible for it don't you even if it has been banned from road use.

seoras

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#2468065 22-Apr-2020 20:16

andrewNZ: When I finally get a trailer, I plan to put a gps tracker in it somehow. Not certain how I'll power it yet, but I'll work that out when the time comes.

I've been wondering that myself. However GPS seems over kill. I was thinking of one of those bluetooth fobs for finding lost items like Tile. Or the Apple Air Tag if it ever sees light of day. You'd need to be able to hide it and that's not easy on a trailer.