Buying guides
Used Car Buying Guides
Straight answers to the questions that come up when you're inspecting a used car.
Tips for Buying a Used CarTips for buying a used car in Australia, step by step: budget, shortlisting, questions to ask the seller, checks, inspection, test drive and negotiating.How to Avoid Buying a LemonHow to avoid buying a lemon in Australia: the hidden problems to catch, seller red flags, the checks before you pay, and what the law covers if you do.Car & Vehicle Checks Before Buying a Used CarHow to check a used car before buying in Australia, step by step: rego, stolen, PPSR and recalls online, then inspecting the car yourself at the viewing.How to Test Drive a Used CarA used car test drive checklist: what to check before you set off, on the road and afterwards, what to listen for, how long to drive and who's insured.How to Negotiate the Price of a Used CarHow to negotiate the price of a used car: what it's worth, using what the inspection finds, how much below asking to offer, and what to say to a seller.Pre-Purchase Car Inspection: What It Checks and CostsWhat a pre-purchase car inspection checks, what it costs in Australia, when it's worth it, and how to inspect a used car yourself before you pay.PPSR Check: What It Covers and What It Doesn'tA PPSR check shows money owing, theft and write-offs. What it doesn't show, from crash repairs to the odometer, and how to check those yourself.What Documents to Check When Buying a Used CarThe documents to check before you pay for a used car: rego papers, seller ID, service history, PPSR certificate and receipt, and what each should show.Buying a Used Car From a Private Seller: What to CheckWhat to check when buying a used car from a private seller in Australia: what you give up, checking the seller and car, common scams and paying safely.Buying a Used Car From a Dealer: Warranty, Cooling-Off and Red FlagsBuying a used car from a dealer in Australia: the statutory warranty and cooling-off period in each state, dealership red flags, and the documents to get.Is It Safe to Buy a Repaired Write-Off?Is a repaired write-off safe to buy? Repairable vs statutory write-offs, re-registering in each state, what to check, and the insurance and resale catch.How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You BuyHow to spot a flood-damaged car: the smell, silt and rust to look for, the electrics to test, why many aren't written off, and what to ask the seller.High Kilometres or a Wound-Back Odometer? How to TellHow to tell if a used car has high kms or a wound-back odometer: the wear signs, the NSW rego check's recorded readings, and when high kms are fine.Buying a Used Car in VictoriaBuying a used car privately in Victoria: the seller's roadworthy certificate, transferring rego within 14 days, and how motor vehicle duty works.Buying a Used Car in NSWBuying a used car privately in NSW: when you need a pink slip, transferring registration within 14 days, stamp duty, and the checks to do first.Buying a Used Car in QueenslandBuying a used car privately in Queensland: the seller's safety certificate, the F3520 transfer form, lodging within 14 days, and duty rates.Buying a Used Car in Western AustraliaBuying a used car privately in WA: filling in and lodging the MR9 within 14 days, vehicle licence duty rates, and why no inspection is needed.Buying a Used Car in South AustraliaBuying a used car privately in South Australia: the seller's notice of disposal, transferring registration within 14 days, stamp duty and inspections.Buying a Used Car in TasmaniaBuying a used car privately in Tasmania: 14 days to transfer the registration, the seller's 7-day notice of disposal, duty rates and inspections.Buying a Used Car in the ACTBuying a used car privately in the ACT: the roadworthy inspection for cars over 6 years old, 14 days to transfer in person, and motor vehicle duty.Buying a Used Car in the Northern TerritoryBuying a used car privately in the NT: the roadworthy inspection for cars 7 years and older, 14 days to transfer, and stamp duty at $3 per $100.