How NZ’s Clean Car Standard Is Shaping Used Car Prices
Clean Car Tax NZ: Why Used Vehicle Prices Are Going Up
Whether you are looking at a hatchback, sedan, people-mover, or SUV, here’s what you need to know about how the Clean Car Standard will affect used car prices in 2025 and beyond.
Estimated Clean Car Penalty Tiers (Used Petrol Imports)
This table shows the expected penalty costs from 2024 – 2029 for a used petrol SUV emitting 150 g/km of CO₂, using the official NZTA penalty rate of $27 per gram over the target.
| Year | CO₂ Target (g/km) | Grams Over | Penalty per Gram | Total Estimated Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 132.7 | 17.3 | $27 | $467 |
| 2025 | 112.6 | 37.4 | $27 | $1,009 |
| 2026 | 108 | 48 | $27 | $1,296 |
| 2027 | 103 | 47 | $27 | $1,269 |
| 2028 | 84 | 66 | $27 | $1,782 |
| 2029 | 65 | 85 | $27 | $2,295 |
Note: These costs apply only to freshly imported vehicles — not to cars already in NZ.
What This Means for Used Car Buyers
- Importing petrol & diesel cars will become significantly more expensive for dealers.
- We expect vehicle prices to rise by $2,000 – $5,000 per car over the next few years.
- Some hybrids and low-emission vehicles may avoid these penalties at first, but will also face penalties from 2026 onward.
- Dealers must absorb, reduce, or pass on these charges depending on margins and stock.
Real-World Clean Car Penalty Examples
- CO₂: ~125g/km
- Target: 65g/km (2029 tier)
- Over: 60g/km
- Rate: $27/g
- CO₂: ~166g/km
- Target: 65g/km (2029 tier)
- Over: 101g/km
- Rate: $27/g
- CO₂: ~154g/km
- Target: 65g/km (2029 tier)
- Over: 89g/km
- Rate: $27/g
Why You Should Consider Buying Sooner
As emission penalties tighten and importer costs increase, the best time to buy a used petrol vehicle is now, before the 2025 and 2026 target reductions kick in.
We offer no deposit finance, trade-in options, and over 250 vehicles in stock. Let our team help you secure the right vehicle before price hikes take effect.