The Vehicle Information Authority - it's our job to help you buy safely.
MotorWeb is New Zealand's leading vehicle information and history check platform, providing comprehensive vehicle data services to the motor industry and general public. Founded by Patrick Costigan in 1997 as OnTap Information Limited and commencing trading in 2000, MotorWeb pioneered electronic access to New Zealand's motor vehicle registry, becoming a trailblazer in the e-government space. The company's flagship product, the Vehicle Information Report (VIR), performs over 70 checks on a vehicle's history, ownership, financial encumbrances, and compliance status. MotorWeb was acquired by Trade Me - New Zealand's largest online marketplace - in December 2013 for NZ$19.5 million, recognising its strategic importance to the online vehicle trading ecosystem. Under Trade Me ownership (which is itself part of the APAX global portfolio), MotorWeb has expanded its product suite to include real-time NZTA data APIs, AI-driven vehicle pricing and valuation tools, fleet management data services, and integration with licence plate recognition (LPR) camera systems. The platform now serves vehicle finance companies, insurers, dealerships, parking operators, roadside assistance providers, fleet managers, and government agencies. MotorWeb operates from 155 Fanshawe Street, Auckland Central, and provides services across New Zealand and Australia. The company has won multiple technology awards including the Computerworld e-Business of the Year Award, was highly commended in the Westpac High-Tech Awards (2004), and placed in the Deloitte Fast 50 (2005 and 2006).
New Zealand's most comprehensive vehicle history check, performing 70+ checks including stolen status, hidden debts (current and past plates via Past Plate Check), odometer fraud detection, ownership history, ex-rental/fleet status, and compliance information. Includes a $100,000 repossession guarantee.
Real-time API access to NZTA vehicle data including vehicle details, ownership, registration, WoF/CoF status, and compliance information. Used by automotive software platforms, finance companies, and insurers.
API product powered by official NZTA data delivering precise vehicle descriptions - make, model, series, transmission, fuel type, and specifications.
AI-driven vehicle pricing and valuation tools providing real-time market modelling for finance, insurance, and fleet management applications.
NZ vehicle pricing tool for finance companies, insurers, and fleet operators, providing standardised market valuations for risk management and residual value calculations.
Data-driven market valuations for insurance claims resolution, providing objective vehicle values at the time of loss.
Section 241 NZTA-authorised access to current registered owner details for authorised purposes.
NZ driver licence validation service checking licence class, endorsements, expiry, and compliance status.
Enterprise solution for instant bulk vehicle valuations, residual value calculations, and portfolio analysis for fleet operators and finance companies.
Vehicle data integration with licence plate recognition camera systems for parking operators, toll operations, and traffic management.
Patrick Costigan founds OnTap Information Limited in Auckland, with the vision of providing electronic access to New Zealand's motor vehicle registry data.
MotorWeb commences trading, launching the Vehicle Information Report (VIR) - New Zealand's first comprehensive online vehicle history check.
VIR launches publicly, offering used car buyers a way to check for hidden debts, stolen status, and odometer tampering through a single online report.
Wins the Computerworld e-Business of the Year Award for web-based vehicle information services.
Highly commended in the Westpac High-Tech Awards.
Places in the Deloitte Fast 50 for the first time, reflecting rapid revenue growth.
Trade Me acquires MotorWeb for NZ$19.5 million (cash funded) in December. At acquisition, MotorWeb had revenue of ~$8 million and profit of ~$2.3 million. The Costigan family held 61% of shares. 12 MotorWeb staff moved across to Trade Me Motors.
OnTap Information Limited placed into liquidation (NZ Gazette notice 2014-al2122). MotorWeb operations and trademarks transferred to Trade Me Limited. MotorWeb now operates directly under Trade Me Limited.
Expands API platform (motorweb.nz) offering real-time NZTA data APIs for automotive software integration.
Launches AI-driven vehicle pricing and valuation tools, Redbook NZ integration, and enhanced fleet data services.
Founder (1997–2019)
Born in Canada, studied electrical engineering at the University of Calgary. Moved to NZ in the early 1990s to join a global team setting up a new national telecommunications provider. Founded OnTap Information Ltd in 1997 based on an idea from 1992 about gaining electronic access to the motor vehicle registry. Chairman of the NZ Inventors' Trust, University of Auckland lecturer, named one of Bayer NZ's Innovators (2009). Passed away 1 October 2019 from Multiple System Atrophy.
Former Managing Director
Led MotorWeb through its growth phase when the trade and finance industry provided 90% of revenue. Instrumental in the Trade Me acquisition. By 2008 MotorWeb dominated the trade end of the vehicle market, covering 30–40% of NZ car sales.
MotorWeb includes Road User Charges status information within its Vehicle Information Report (VIR), flagging expired or outstanding RUC obligations to potential vehicle buyers. This is particularly important for buyers of diesel and electric vehicles, where unpaid RUC can be a hidden liability. Through its NZTA Data API platform, MotorWeb also provides vehicle compliance data - including RUC status - to automotive software platforms, finance companies, and fleet operators, enabling automated compliance checking at scale.
In December 2013, NZX-listed Trade Me purchased Auckland-based vehicle data company MotorWeb for $19.5 million in cash. MotorWeb, founded by Patrick Costigan in 1997, had been Trade Me's longstanding business partner providing vehicle information reports to finance companies, insurers, car dealers, and the public.
In March 2024, NZTA revealed that the identity of a motor vehicle trader had been used to illegally access driver licence and motor vehicle register information for approximately 1,480 people via the MotorWeb online portal. MotorWeb immediately cancelled the fraudulent account and assisted NZTA with the investigation.
973228
9429037513696
NZ Limited Company
13 Aug 1999
Level 5, 2 Market Lane, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
Nicola Ann Law
Auckland, New Zealand
Anders Christopher Skoe
Auckland, New Zealand
194,700 total shares
Trade Me Group Limited
194,700 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
View on Companies RegisterAnalysis of notable corporate and institutional shareholders. Individual shareholders are excluded.
Trade Me
Trade Me Group Limited
New Zealand's largest online marketplace and classifieds platform. Founded in 1999 by Sam Morgan, sold to Fairfax Media in 2006 for NZ$700 million, listed on the NZX in 2011, then taken private by Apax Partners in May 2019 for NZ$2.56 billion. Trade Me acquired MotorWeb in December 2013 for NZ$19.5 million to integrate vehicle history checks directly into Trade Me Motors listings.
Apax Partners
Apax Partners LLP
Traced via researchA British private equity firm headquartered in London, founded in 1972. Has raised funds totalling ~US$77 billion, making it one of the world's largest and oldest PE firms. Acquired Trade Me Group for NZ$2.56 billion in 2019, taking it private from the NZX. This means MotorWeb - a vehicle data service processing RUC-related information - is ultimately owned by a London-based PE fund.
