Guides
Practical help with buying, selling and owning a vehicle in Australia.
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Written-off vehicles: what a write-off means and how to check
A written-off vehicle has been assessed as a total loss. A statutory write-off can never be registered again in Australia. A repairable write-off sometimes can, depending on the state. A $2 PPSR search usually shows the record.
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Transferring vehicle registration after a sale: rules in every state
In every Australian state and territory the buyer has 14 days to transfer a registered vehicle into their name. What the seller must do, and how quickly, depends on where the vehicle is registered.
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Stamp duty on a used car: how each state works it out
When you buy a used car in Australia you pay vehicle duty, often called stamp duty, when the registration is transferred into your name. Each state and territory sets its own rates. Here is how all eight calculate it.
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How to write a vehicle listing that buyers trust
Put the exact year, make, model and badge in the title, then cover service history, ownership, condition, faults and what is included, in that order. Specific and honest beats enthusiastic every time.
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How to sell a car privately in Australia
Get the paperwork together, clear any finance, prepare and photograph the car, price it against similar listings, deal with buyers safely, and complete the transfer your state requires. Here is the order to do it in.
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How to photograph a car for sale
Clean the car, shoot outdoors in soft daylight with the phone held sideways, and cover every side, the interior, the odometer, the engine bay and any damage. A full, honest set of photos brings better buyers.
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How to avoid scams when buying or selling a vehicle
Most vehicle scams follow a few patterns: a price that is too good, a buyer who never needs to see the car, a payment for more than the asking price, and pressure to move fast. Here is how to spot them and what to do.
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Used car inspection checklist
What to check on a used car before you buy: paperwork, body, tyres, engine bay, interior and the test drive, in the order you would do it standing next to the car.
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Roadworthy and safety certificates explained
A roadworthy or safety certificate confirms a vehicle passed a basic safety check on the day. Whether one is needed when a vehicle is sold depends on the state, and it is never a guarantee of mechanical condition.
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What a PPSR check tells you before you buy a used vehicle
A PPSR search costs $2 and shows whether a car or motorbike has money owing on it, and usually whether it has been written off or stolen. Here is how to run one and what it does not cover.
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How to buy a used car in Australia
Set a budget that includes running costs, check the car's history with a $2 PPSR search, have it inspected, and transfer the registration on time. Here is each step in order.
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Dealer or private seller: what changes when you buy a used car
Buying from a licensed dealer gives you consumer guarantees and usually a statutory warranty. A private sale is often cheaper but comes with almost none of that protection. Here is the difference in plain terms.