Careless Kiwis driven up the wall by motoring costs

Our recent survey results show that some New Zealand drivers were content to drive unregistered, un-serviced vehicles if it meant saving some cash.

In the last year, more than one in five respondents drove their car without registration to save money, with male drivers being more likely than females to drive unregistered (14% compared to 8%).

In conjunction with this, more than a quarter of respondents let their car exceed the scheduled ‘service by’ date – also to cut motoring costs.

Wellingtonians were the least likely of all New Zealand residents to not service their cars (18%), compared to motorists from Dunedin who considered it a sound way to save (34%). Interestingly, Wellington drivers were less likely than some other New Zealanders to drive an unregistered vehicle (9%).

Our survey also rated customer satisfaction with new cars…with one brand in particular rolling ahead of the competition. Achieving five stars in nearly every criteria rated, Hyundai received our most satisfied customers award for cars.

Kia, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru were also rated.

The results also unveiled several five star winning brands in the supporting criteria, like Kia for their warranties, value for money, and fuel consumption. Toyota received five stars for their vehicles’ fuel consumption.

Our survey also found that some New Zealanders – particularly younger motorists – were more interested in their car’s sound than its safety. Seventeen percent of car customers were more likely to invest in a sound system for their vehicle than safety features.

This number noticeably decreased to 8% for Baby Boomer respondents, while it increased to 30% for Generation Y drivers.

Canstar Blue commissioned Colmar Brunton Australia to survey 7,500 New Zealand consumers over a number of months to measure their satisfaction across a range of products and services. The outcomes reported are the results from car customers within the survey group – in this case, 938 people. To qualify, the customer must have bought / jointly bought a brand new car from a dealership less than three years ago. Brands must receive at least 30 responses to be included.

Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands that received three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10.

Overall satisfaction

Out of the ten car brands rated, Hyundai customers were the most satisfied with their vehicle overall, winning the brand five stars for this criteria. Following Hyundai were Kia, Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Honda with four stars; then Nissan, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru with three.

Value for money

For their value for money, Hyundai and Kia customer were most satisfied with their car brand. Next came Toyota, Ford, Honda and Nissan with four stars; followed by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru with three.

Point of sale service

Hyundai received another five stars for their customer service at the time of sale. They were followed by four star winners Kia, Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi; and then by Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Holden and Subaru with three stars.

After sale service

For their after sale service, Hyundai customers were once again the most satisfied with their car brand. Hyundai received another five stars for this criteria, followed by Kia, Toyota and Ford with four. Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru all received three stars for their after sale service.

Fuel consumption

While hybrid and electric cars may one day dominate the market, a majority of motorists continue to be impacted by which car brands currently offer the most fuel efficient models. Three of the rated car brands fit the bill for five star fuel consumption: Hyundai, Toyota and Kia. Mazda, Honda and Nissan received four stars; Ford, Mitsubishi and Holden with three; and Subaru was awarded two.

Reliability

Not every motorist dreams of owning a fast car, or a luxury cruiser. Most drivers simply want a vehicle that will always be dependable. Hyundai received another five star rating for their reliability, followed by four star winners Kia, Toyota and Nissan. Ford, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru all received three stars for their reliability.

Warranties

Kia achieved a five star rating for their warranties, followed closely by Hyundai, Toyota and Ford with four stars. Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Holden and Subaru each received three stars for this criteria.