Buying guides
How to choose, check and pay for a used vehicle in Australia, from the first search to the handover.
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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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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.