Car sellers park up at their peril

Abigail Woollcombe. Photo / Michael Craig

Motorists are being warned they face fines in Auckland for having "For Sale" stickers in their vehicles if they are parked in a public place.

West Auckland resident Abigail Woollcombe put two A4 sheets of paper in her car advertising its sale last month. But when she left her car parked on the street in Mt Albert, she got a call from the council.

"They said I had to move it or I'd get a hefty fine," she said.

She was told she could park on the road only if she removed the sign.

"I was surprised that it would bother anyone and I was surprised that there was a bylaw."

Council licensing and compliance manager Carole Todd said that under a 2008 bylaw, people weren't allowed to use any public place for the keeping, placing or parking of a vehicle for sale, exhibition, demonstration, storage or otherwise.

Todd said the car was removed and no further action was needed. No notice or infringement was issued.

She said the council didn't approach drivers who advertised their vehicles for sale unless they received a complaint.

Vehicles could be towed but there had been no cases of that or fines issued in the past year.

Owners usually removed the sign or moved the vehicle when contacted, she said.