The Prime Minister’s BMWs are once again making headlines as his ministerial car goes under the hammer this weekend.
John Key’s 2008 BMW 730LD is among five ministerial BMWs that will be sold on December 3.
The vehicle has less than 48,000km on the clock and has been regularly serviced. It is expected to fetch between $62,000 and $68,000 at auction.
Turners Auctions chief executive Graham Roberts says he expects the rare opportunity to buy a Prime Minister’s vehicle will mean the auction is extremely popular.
“We expect collectors to be particularly interested in this one,” he said.
The cars were replaced earlier this year with a fleet of new BMWs which sell commercially for about $200,000.
Mr Key faced criticism over the fact ministers were making cutbacks and asking others to save money at the time of the purchase.
He said the Government got a discount on the cars for bulk buying, but would not state the actual cost.
A six-year deal for the cars had been signed by Labour, with a three year rollover clause and the decision to invoke the rollover was made by the Department of Internal Affairs, Mr Key told media at the time.
"It's not a situation where we as the Government have decided to do that, the department just made that decision."
He later apologised over his handling of the 34-car purchase and said there was no way he could have pulled out of the multi-million dollar deal.
“The whole thing has been sloppy and frankly, the public deserves better,” he said.
“I’m not going to make excuses. The matter should have been handled better by everyone, including myself.”
Other stately vehicles to feature in the auction include a 1967 Rolls Royce Phantom and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
Potential bidders can view the cars here
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