A warning is being issued to motorists after a third of New Zealanders surveyed admitted to leaving valuable possessions in their car.

Driven Magazine Editor, Liz Dobson, tests the new Mercedes-Benz C250 estate. Photos / Ted Baghurst

It couldn't be better timing for Kiwis as standard-grade petrol nudges below $2 a litre for the first time in two and a half years.

New Zealand's Car of the Year is the high-selling Mazda3, according to the Automobile Association and motoring writers.

New vehicle sales reached their highest ever for November with 2014 expected to be a record year.