# Buying a Used Car in NSW

Last updated: 1 October 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-nsw.

When you buy a used car privately in NSW, you have 14 days to transfer the registration into your name, or you'll pay a late fee. You don't need a pink slip to transfer a current NSW registration, but you'll pay motor vehicle duty on the price or the market value, whichever is higher.

## NSW at a Glance

| Topic | The rule |
| --- | --- |
| Certificate | None to transfer a current NSW registration; a pink slip if it's unregistered or interstate |
| Transfer deadline | 14 days from the purchase, or a late fee |
| Who does the transfer | The seller lodges a notice of disposal; you transfer the registration |
| Duty | On the price or market value, whichever is higher, paid when you transfer |
| Green slip | Transfers with the registration automatically |

## Do You Need a Pink Slip?

Not to transfer a current NSW registration. You'll need safety inspections if the car is unregistered or registered interstate. Most light vehicles more than 5 years old need a pink slip each year to renew their registration, and a report is valid for 6 months ([NSW Government](https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driving-nsw/vehicle-registration/renewing-vehicle-registration/safety-checks-and-vehicle-inspections)), so ask the seller when the last one was done and when the registration is due.

A pink slip checks safety items at the time of inspection. It isn't a check of the car's overall condition.

## Transferring the Registration

The seller lodges a notice of disposal, and you transfer the registration into your name within 14 days to avoid a late fee and fines. To do it online you need a MyServiceNSW account, the purchase date and the price or market value. The compulsory third party (CTP) green slip transfers automatically with the registration ([NSW Government](https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driving-nsw/vehicle-registration/transferring-or-cancelling-registration/transferring-registration-when-buying-a-vehicle)).

## Stamp Duty

You pay motor vehicle duty when you transfer the registration, on the market value of the car or the price you paid, whichever is higher ([Revenue NSW](https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/taxes-duties-levies-royalties/motor-vehicle-duty)).

## Checks Before You Buy

NSW Fair Trading recommends a free registration check (expiry date, whether it's suspended or cancelled, any restrictions and recorded odometer readings), a PPSR search, a check of the vehicle recalls database and an inspection by a licensed mechanic ([NSW Government](https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/buying-and-selling-vehicles/buying-a-used-vehicle)). Inspect the car yourself first with a [used car inspection checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist).

A private sale isn't covered by the Australian Consumer Law or dealer guarantees: see [buying from a private seller](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-from-a-private-seller) and [what documents to check](https://shufti.com.au/guides/what-documents-to-check-when-buying-a-used-car).

Buying in another state? See [Victoria](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-victoria), [Queensland](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-queensland), [Western Australia](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-wa) or [South Australia](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-sa).

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Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company.

From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation.

A check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350.

Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au.

Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6795718336), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app).