Car dealership failures have turned into a torrent since the resumption of business for 2009.

In Auckland alone, five car sales businesses have gone into liquidation or receivership or are close to it.

Used car dealership Falcon Motors of Otahuhu faces liquidation, with UDC Finance taking it to court on January 30 over debts. Falcon is trying to offload 51 cars on its website.

The Storey Motor Company of Mount Wellington hit the skids on January 21 when it was put into liquidation.