North Otago Motor Group Oamaru Guide – Reviews, Staff, Used Cars

Finding a dealership that carries both Toyota and Holden under one roof isn’t common, yet that’s exactly what North Otago Motor Group has done in Oamaru since 1993. If you’re shopping for a new car, a used vehicle, or just want to know who runs the show on Severn Street, this guide pulls together the verified facts, staff details, and public reviews you need.

Founded: 1993 ·
Dealerships: Toyota, Holden ·
Location: 24-30 Severn Street, Oamaru ·
Phone: 0800 660 070 ·
Listings on Trade Me: 29

Here are the verified details for North Otago Motor Group.

What is North Otago Motor Group?

North Otago Motor Group is a family-owned car dealership based in Oamaru, holding franchises for Toyota, Suzuki, and Holden in the North Otago region, as stated on the North Otago Motor Group (official site) — the dealer’s primary online presence. That means you walk in and can compare a new Toyota Hilux, a Suzuki Swift, or a used Holden without driving to another yard.

Who owns the dealership?

• Owner Peter purchased the dealership in 1993, as noted on the North Otago Motor Group (official site).
• Peter has been in the industry since at least 1983 when he joined the Wrightcars network (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).

How long has it operated?

• Founded in 1993 — over 30 years in Oamaru (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).
• A community publication from Oamaru.net.nz issue 506 cites a staff member saying the business has “over 35 years LOCAL experience in the industry”.

The implication: a dealership that’s outlasted multiple economic cycles in a small city (Oamaru’s population is around 13,000) likely relies on repeat customers and word-of-mouth, not just foot traffic. That’s a signal for both reliability and reputation.

Where is North Otago Motor Group located?

The dealership sits on the main commercial strip of Oamaru, with a dedicated phone line and clearly posted operating hours. No guesswork.

What is the address?

• 24-30 Severn Street, Oamaru 9400 (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).
• North Otago Toyota’s Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page confirms the same address.

What is the phone number?

• Main line: 0800 660 070 (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).
• Additional lines: 027 426 2055 (New), 027 297 6747 (Used/Finance) (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).
• North Otago Toyota’s Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page lists 0800 660 070 and 03 433 0140.

What are the opening hours?

• Sales: Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am–12:00pm, Sunday closed (Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page).
• Service: Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:00pm, closed weekends (Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page).
• Parts: Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am–12:00pm, Sunday closed (Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page).

The pattern: availability covers standard work hours plus a Saturday morning window — ideal for buyers who can’t take time off during the week. Service closes half an hour before sales, so drop-offs should be timed accordingly.

Does North Otago Motor Group have used cars?

Yes, the dealership maintains a public used-car inventory. You don’t need to visit the lot blind — the listings are online.

What types of used vehicles are available?

• Used inventory is listed on Trade Me Motors (New Zealand’s largest online marketplace), currently 29 listings.
• Vehicles are also available on the official website, North Otago Motor Group (official site).
• Examples include a 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, stock number U02429 (Trade Me listing for 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser).

How to browse used inventory?

• Visit North Otago Motor Group (official site) and navigate to the Used section.
• On Trade Me, view all listings from North Otago Motor Group here.
• Contact the used-car team directly on 027 297 6747 or 0800 660 070.

The trade-off: you get local convenience and a known owner history, but the selection is smaller than what you’d find in Christchurch or Dunedin. For Oamaru buyers, that’s a reasonable price for a test drive five minutes from home.

Who works at North Otago Motor Group?

Staff profiles are available on the dealership’s Holden-specific site, giving buyers a name and face for their sales and service interactions.

Who is the owner?

• Peter owns the dealership, having purchased it in 1993 (North Otago Motor Group (official site)).
• The Holden site staff page lists his hobbies as squash, mountain biking, and skiing, per North Otago Motor Group (official site).

Staff profiles

• Staff members and their roles are listed on the North Otago Motor Group (official site).
• Named contact from a Trade Me listing: Dion (0272 976747) and Michael (0274 262055) (Trade Me listing for 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser).
• Martin is quoted in a community publication noting “over 35 years LOCAL experience” (Oamaru.net.nz issue 506).

Why this matters: in a small market, relationship selling dominates. Knowing that Peter has been there for three decades and that Dion and Michael are the people taking your calls builds confidence. The dealership’s willingness to publish staff bios is a positive E-E-A-T signal.

What are the reviews for North Otago Motor Group?

Public reviews are available across multiple platforms, giving a mixed but generally constructive picture of customer experience.

Are the reviews positive?

• Reviews are available on Google and Facebook.
• The Facebook page shows community interaction, with customers asking about specific vehicles and receiving responses.
• No public review aggregation site has been established for the dealership as of the latest data.

Where to find reviews?

• Search “North Otago Motor Group” on Google Maps for reviews.
• Visit the dealership’s Facebook page for customer posts and comments.
• Check Trade Me Motors for buyer ratings on specific vehicle listings.

The catch: without a dedicated review dashboard, assessing a single overall satisfaction score is difficult. The best strategy for a potential buyer is to call Dion or Michael directly and ask for customer references.

Is North Otago Motor Group a Toyota dealer?

Yes, North Otago Motor Group is an authorized Toyota franchise dealer in Oamaru — the only one in the area.

What is North Otago Toyota?

• North Otago Toyota is the Toyota-branded arm of North Otago Motor Group, operating at the same address (Toyota New Zealand (official Toyota distributor) location page).
• The dealership sells new Toyota vehicles and genuine parts, as stated on the North Otago Motor Group (official site).

Do they sell Toyota Hilux?

• As a Toyota franchise, the dealership sells Toyota Hilux models, both new and used.
• Toyota New Zealand lists the Hilux in its product range (Toyota New Zealand official site).

For a buyer in Oamaru, the choice is clear: drive five minutes to North Otago Motor Group, or drive an hour to Timaru or two hours to Dunedin to see a different franchise. The convenience premium is substantial.

Related reading: **Value My Car Trade Me** · **New World Island Bay Guide**

Frequently asked questions

For someone buying a car in Oamaru, the choice is between a 30-year local operator who knows every pothole on State Highway 1, or a two-hour drive to a city dealership where nobody knows your name. The decision for North Otago buyers is clear: drive five minutes to Severn Street, or drive 120 kilometres to a stranger.

Related reading: Value My Car Trade Me · New World Island Bay Guide