How to cancel Car and Driver subscription in new zealand: your complete legal guide

What Car and Driver is and why you might cancel

Car and Driver is a US-based automotive publisher that offers digital magazine subscriptions, vehicle reviews, news features, and merchandise through its website and third-party app platforms including Apple App Store and Google Play. You may have subscribed directly through their website, purchased through an app marketplace, or acquired merchandise from their tech store. If your subscription no longer meets your needs or you want to stop recurring charges, understanding your cancellation options and your rights under New Zealand consumer law is essential. Yafee specialises in helping New Zealand consumers navigate cancellations across international services, and we know that overseas subscription companies often use unclear renewal terms and US-based postal addresses. This guide breaks down exactly how to cancel Car and Driver, what happens to your account after cancellation, and what refunds you're legally entitled to claim.

Common reasons to cancel Car and Driver

You may cancel because you no longer read the magazine, prefer free automotive content available online, or discovered the subscription auto-renewed without your explicit consent. Others cancel to consolidate subscriptions and reduce monthly outgoings, or because they purchased through the wrong platform and want to switch. Some New Zealand consumers cancel when they realise the service is charged in NZD but delivers US-focused content. Whatever your reason, cancelling promptly prevents further charges and protects your bank account.

Your consumer rights in new zealand

New Zealand law gives you substantial protection when cancelling subscriptions and requesting refunds, regardless of where the company is based or what country its website operates from.

Consumer guarantees act 1993 protections

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 applies to all goods and services purchased by New Zealand consumers, including subscriptions sold by overseas companies like Car and Driver. Under this legislation, you have the right to cancel within reasonable timeframes, request a refund if the service fails to meet basic quality standards, and dispute unexpected charges. If Car and Driver's subscription fails to deliver what was promised, charges you without clear prior consent, or auto-renews against your instructions, you can invoke the Consumer Guarantees Act to demand a refund or credit note. This protection exists regardless of what Car and Driver's terms and conditions state, because New Zealand consumer law cannot be contracted out of.

Fair trading act 1986 remedies

The Fair Trading Act 1986 protects you against misleading or deceptive conduct by any business, including overseas subscription providers. If Car and Driver deliberately hides its cancellation process, uses confusing language in renewal notifications, or auto-renews without obtaining your clear, informed consent, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission (the New Zealand enforcement authority for consumer protection). The Commerce Commission operates a free dispute resolution service and can compel the company to refund charges or cease unfair practices.

Your legal position

You are legally entitled to cancel your subscription at any time. You may request a refund of charges incurred if the service did not meet the quality standards promised, if auto-renewal occurred without your explicit consent, or if the company's cancellation process was deliberately obscured. If Car and Driver refuses your cancellation request or refuses to refund charges, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission at no cost. Reference the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986 in any written cancellation request to signal that you understand your rights and are prepared to pursue enforcement action.

How to cancel Car and Driver by subscription platform

Car and Driver subscriptions operate on different platforms, and your cancellation method depends on which platform you used to subscribe.

Cancel a direct website subscription

If you subscribed directly through caranddrivermag.com (rather than through an app store), you cancel via their online subscriber portal. This is the fastest method and usually takes 2-3 minutes to complete.

1. Visit the Car and Driver subscriber login page at caranddrivermag.com.
   • Look for "Sign In" or "Account Login" links, typically at the top-right of the website.
2. Enter your registered email address and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot Password" link and reset it via email.
3. Navigate to your account settings once logged in.
   • Look for links labelled "Account Settings", "Manage Subscription", "Subscriptions", or "My Account" - these are usually located in a menu under your profile icon or in the top-right corner.
4. Click "Cancel Subscription" or "End Subscription".
   • Car and Driver may display a cancellation confirmation page or ask why you are cancelling; you are not obligated to provide feedback.
5. Confirm your cancellation request.
   • You should receive an email confirmation of cancellation within 24 hours. Keep this email as proof of cancellation.
6. Check that your subscription status shows "Cancelled" in your account portal.
   • If it still shows "Active", contact Car and Driver customer support immediately (see contact methods below).

Cancel an apple app store subscription

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you must cancel through Apple's own subscription management system, not through the Car and Driver app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device.
   • On iPhone and iPad, Settings is a grey icon on your home screen.
   • On Mac, open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Tap or click "Subscriptions" (or "Apps and Subscriptions" on some devices).
   • You may need to scroll down to find this option.
3. Locate "Car and Driver" in your active subscriptions list.
   • If you do not see it listed, your subscription may already be cancelled.
4. Tap or click on the Car and Driver subscription entry.
   • Apple will display your renewal date and billing information.
5. Select "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit" and then confirm cancellation.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm your decision once more.
6. Verify that the subscription status changes to "Expired" or that a cancellation confirmation appears.
   • You should receive an email from Apple confirming the cancellation.

Cancel a google play subscription

If you subscribed through Google Play on an Android device, you cancel through Google's subscription system.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • The Play Store icon is a coloured triangle typically found on your home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Tap the profile icon (usually in the top-right corner).
   • This may appear as a circular avatar or the letter "G".
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions" or "Manage subscriptions".
   • This menu item varies slightly depending on your Android version.
4. Tap "Subscriptions" to view your active subscriptions.
   • You may need to scroll to find Car and Driver in the list.
5. Tap on the Car and Driver subscription entry.
   • Google will display your renewal date and billing details.
6. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice.
   • Google will ask you to confirm once more and may offer you a retention discount.
7. Check that the subscription status changes to "Cancelled" or "Inactive".
   • You will receive an email confirmation from Google.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

Your refund entitlements depend on when you cancel relative to your renewal date and what the service actually delivered.

Refund eligibility under new zealand law

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you may request a refund of charges already paid if the service failed to meet the quality standards promised or if auto-renewal occurred without your explicit consent. If you cancel mid-subscription, you are generally not entitled to a pro-rata refund for unused days unless Car and Driver's own terms offer this. However, if you can demonstrate that the company charged you after you requested cancellation, or charged you without your authorisation, you have a strong claim for a refund under the Fair Trading Act. Yafee recommends that you document all cancellation attempts and correspondence with Car and Driver, because this evidence strengthens your refund claim if you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission.

How to request a refund

1. Review your cancellation confirmation email from Car and Driver, Apple, or Google to verify the cancellation date.
   • This email is your proof that you cancelled.
2. Check your bank statement to identify all charges related to Car and Driver.
   • Note the date, amount, and description of each charge.
3. If you were charged after your cancellation date, or if you dispute any charge as unauthorised, send a written refund request to Car and Driver customer support.
   • Use the contact methods listed in the "Contact Car and Driver" section below.
   • State: "I cancelled my subscription on [date]. I was charged NZD [amount] on [date], which is after my cancellation. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986, I request a full refund of this charge."
4. Allow 14 days for a response.
   • If Car and Driver does not respond or refuses your refund request, escalate to the Commerce Commission.

What happens to your account

After cancellation, your access to Car and Driver's digital content typically ends immediately or at the end of your current billing period (whichever comes first). If you cancelled through a third-party app store (Apple or Google), you retain access until your subscription period expires naturally, even though you cannot renew. If you cancelled through the direct website, your access may end right away; contact Car and Driver to clarify your access end date. You can log into your account portal to view your subscription status and access end date.

Pricing and subscription plans

Car and Driver's subscription costs vary depending on the platform and payment term you choose.

Prices are converted from USD and may fluctuate based on exchange rates and promotional offers. Car and Driver frequently offers discounted trial periods or introductory rates; check your confirmation email to verify which plan you actually purchased.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

The cancellation process is straightforward once you understand which platform holds your subscription, but several traps catch consumers off guard.

Mistake one: cancelling in the wrong location

The most common error is attempting to cancel through the Car and Driver app itself when you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play. The app does not contain a cancellation option; you must cancel through Apple Settings or Google Play. Conversely, if you subscribed directly through caranddrivermag.com, you cannot cancel through an app store because you have no subscription registered there. Before you start, open your confirmation email and identify exactly which platform shows in the email header (it will say "Apple Media Services", "Google Play", or "Car and Driver Inc").

Mistake two: assuming auto-renewal has stopped

After you click "Cancel Subscription", the subscription status may not change immediately to "Cancelled" or "Inactive". Some platforms show a cancellation confirmation page but continue to show "Active" in the account portal until the current billing cycle ends. Do not assume the cancellation failed if your status still shows "Active"; instead, check your confirmation email or contact customer support. Yafee advises all New Zealand consumers to monitor their bank statements for 30 days after cancellation to verify that no further charges appear.

Mistake three: not documenting your cancellation

Save every confirmation email, screenshot, and correspondence from Car and Driver, Apple, or Google that relates to your cancellation. If a dispute arises later and you need to claim a refund, this documentation is your evidence that you cancelled on a specific date and were still charged thereafter. If Car and Driver claims you never cancelled, your saved emails prove otherwise and strengthen your position with the Commerce Commission.

Mistake four: ignoring a refusal to cancel

Rarely, a company will acknowledge your cancellation request but fail to action it and will continue to charge your card. If you cancel, receive no confirmation within 24 hours, and are charged again, do not assume the system is slow. Contact Car and Driver immediately using the methods below and follow up in writing with a specific refund demand referencing the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. If the company ignores this written demand within 14 days, escalate to the Commerce Commission or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

What to do if Car and Driver refuses to cancel

Occasionally, a company will resist cancellation or claim your request was not received.

Step one: send a written cancellation demand

If your cancellation request goes unanswered or is refused, send a formal written letter to Car and Driver's cancellation address (see below). State your full name, account email, subscription plan, and the date you first requested cancellation. Include the phrase: "In accordance with the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986, I request immediate cancellation of my subscription and confirmation within 7 days. If this request is ignored, I will escalate this matter to the Commerce Commission for enforcement."

Step two: escalate to the commerce commission

If Car and Driver does not respond or refuses your cancellation request within 14 days of your written demand, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission using their free dispute resolution service at www.beehive.govt.nz or by calling 0800 943 600. The Commerce Commission has the power to compel the company to refund charges and cease unfair practices. Yafee recommends keeping all correspondence and proof of cancellation attempts when you submit your complaint.

Step three: request a chargeback from your bank

If Car and Driver continues to charge your card after you have cancelled and requested a refund, contact your bank and request a chargeback (reversal) of the unauthorised charges. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation confirmation, written refund demand, and evidence that the company continued to charge you after cancellation. Your bank can reverse these charges and close the dispute in your favour under New Zealand banking regulations.

Contact Car and Driver and escalation routes

To cancel, request a refund, or lodge a complaint, use these contact methods.

Direct contact with Car and Driver

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Postal address for written cancellation requests (US address, as no New Zealand-specific address is publicly listed):

Car and Driver Magazine
Customer Service Department
1585 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
USA

Website support form: caranddrivermag.com/contact

Response time: Allow 14-21 days for postal correspondence and 5-7 days for email responses.

Third-party app store support

If you subscribed through Apple App Store, contact Apple directly at support.apple.com or call 0800 008 034 (New Zealand). If you subscribed through Google Play, contact Google at support.google.com. Both services can cancel your subscription and process refunds independently of Car and Driver.

New zealand consumer authority escalation

If Car and Driver refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, escalate to the Commerce Commission (the official New Zealand consumer protection enforcement body) at www.beehive.govt.nz, by phone on 0800 943 600, or by visiting a Citizens Advice Bureau. The Commerce Commission operates a free dispute resolution service and can compel the company to refund charges or comply with New Zealand consumer law.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling your Car and Driver subscription in New Zealand is straightforward once you identify which platform holds your subscription. Direct website subscriptions cancel through their account portal in 2-3 minutes; Apple and Google Play subscriptions cancel through their respective settings apps. After cancellation, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986, which entitle you to request refunds if charges continue or if the service failed to deliver what was promised. If the company resists, escalate to the Commerce Commission at no cost. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel international subscriptions and navigate refund disputes using New Zealand consumer law, and we know that documenting your cancellation request and keeping all confirmation emails is your strongest safeguard. Save your cancellation confirmation email, monitor your bank statement for 30 days, and do not hesitate to escalate if unwanted charges reappear. Your consumer rights are enforceable, and overseas companies must comply with New Zealand law.