Have your say on the proposed regulation for buying, selling and repairing motor vehicles in NSW.

The Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2014 ends on 1 September 2025 unless it is remade, with or without changes.

The proposed new regulation will support the Motor Dealers and Repairers Amendment Act 2023, which introduced a number of changes following extensive consultation.

The proposed regulation will:

• expand the Motor Dealers and Repairers Compensation Fund
• allow electronic/digital recordkeeping to cut duplication and ensure vehicles/parts can be traced
• increase penalties to deter dodgy operators, including through stronger enforcement powers
• make it simpler for NSW Fair Trading to declare a ‘declared trade show’
• introduce requirements for online selling
• introduce changes to repair classes and qualifications.

These changes are described in detail in the Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025.

Your feedback helped protect consumers and guide the future of the motor dealer and repair industry in NSW.

Thank you for your feedback.

We thank everybody for your participation in the consultation on the proposed Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025. The call for input ran for five weeks closing on Friday 30 May 2025.

You made 65 contributions:

• 37 from motor vehicle repairers
• 12 from industry bodies
• 8 from consumers
• 5 from other government agencies
• 3 from motor dealers.

Engagement was driven by Electronic Direct Mail (EDM) distribution, social media campaigns and word of mouth through industry associations.

NSW Fair Trading also hosted an industry forum to discuss the proposed regulation with key representatives from across the motor dealer, repairer, insurer and training industries.

Much of the feedback was in response to the proposed changes to repair classes and qualifications for electric vehicle (EV) repairs where:

• 59% of respondents supported the introduction of an EV motor mechanic repair class
  
• 60% of this cohort recommended either:
  
  • a long transition period
  • 3-5 years for the reforms to take effect
  • or other alternative solutions.

The consensus was that the changes are necessary to ensure the safety of those in the industry, however more time to prepare is required.

The feedback also included:

• Support for the requirements for online motor dealing.
• Support for expanding access to the Compensation Fund.
• Some concern was raised about removing the exemption for trailers and towable recreation vehicles from the dealer guarantee, including issues with how the guarantee period is calculated as trailers and towable vehicles do not have odometers.

After consideration of the feedback received on the proposed reforms to EV repairs, the NSW Government has decided that the EV reforms will not be introduced in this Regulation until further consultation has been undertaken on the appropriate transitional arrangements for the automotive industry.

The NSW Government remains committed to the introduction of an EV mechanic repair class and other appropriate training to keep workers safe, protect consumers, and support upskilling in the automotive industry.

The NSW Government will continue to work with industry on the EV reforms. NSW Fair Trading will initiate further consultations with industry on transition details in due course.

Further changes include an additional 12-month exemption for trailers and towable recreation vehicles from the dealer guarantee to provide time for motor dealers to prepare for the change.

From 1 September 2026, the dealer guarantee will apply to trailers and towable recreation vehicles under 10 years old with a limitation period of 6 months for new vehicles and 3 months for second-hand vehicles.