Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need as a deposit for a car?

Once your finance is approved we accept $1 deposits to drive away in your new vehicle.

Can I get car finance if I have a previous bad credit rating?

Yes, we may still be able to arrange finance for you no matter your rating.
Complete our Online Finance Application to arrange pre-approved vehicle finance to drive home your new vehicle today.
Finance is subject to finance companies final approval, conditions apply.

Can I pay off my car finance early?

Yes you can, and we recommend you to do save yourself interest in the long term. We welcome the opportunity to consult with you on the finance that would best suit your situation. From years of experience in arranging tailored vehicle finance we advise our customers to ensure they do not over-extend themselves. We advise paying more per week than is required, so that you have a lower weekly required amount to fall back on if needed.

Do you offer 5 year car finance or even longer term vehicle finance?

We welcome the opportunity to use our experience to arrange a finance option to suit you. We believe that 4 year financing is the optimum duration to minimise interest rates. Four year payment terms also enables you to upgrade your car after approximately two and a half years time, which is when most people are thinking about a change.

Do you offer an extended vehicle warranty?

Yes, we offer an extended 2 year car warranty on all our vehicles as required.
This recommended for anyone who is financing their vehicle, for additional peace of mind.

Where are your cars sourced from?

Our cars are personally selected from Japan and stringently inspected and safety checked in New Zealand.
These checks ensure our cars suitability for New Zealand roads, and uphold the quality and reliability of the Costello Cars brand.

Can you freight a car anywhere in New Zealand?

Yes, we can arrange to send your car by freight, or by making other arrangements.
Please visit our Freight page for more information.

Can I secure a car before it arrives from Japan?

Yes, you can secure / reserve a vehicle from Costello Cars before it arrives in New Zealand. To secure or pre-purchase a vehicle we require a $500 deposit. If you are financing the vehicle with a $1 deposit arrangement, your $500 deposit can be refunded to you as we are legally unable to finance a vehicle until it arrives in the country. We guarantee that our vehicles will arrive in the highest standard or reliability and quality, and your deposit is refundable should you not satisfied with the vehicle you have secured. We welcome a visit or a phone call to further discuss reserving a vehicle to guarantee you the vehicle of your choice. At Costello Cars it is very common for our vehicles to sell before they arrive in New Zealand.

Are there further on-road costs in vehicle purchase?

The on-road costs in New Zealand, per vehicle, are around $400 - $500. At Costello Cars we purchase the number plates, and the on-road costs go direct to the LTSA. We continue to subsidise the on-road costs of every vehicle we sell, so the cost to you will be only $260. This makes our vehicles from $7,250 to drive away, inclusive of new WOF, band expander and new oil and filter.

What condition can I expect your second-hand cars to be in?

At Costello Cars you can expect to have the option of a wide variety of vehicles in optimum condition, in both presentation and safety. We stringently check all of our vehicles after importing and present our cars to their highest possible standards. Interestingly for Cantabrians this is something that car sales yards in our region are quite competitive about, whereas we have noticed that in other towns vehicle presentation is not viewed as being quite as crutial.