# Buying a Used Car in Queensland

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

In Queensland, the seller must have a current safety certificate before selling a registered car privately; it's valid for 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first. You and the seller both sign the transfer form, and you have 14 days to transfer the registration and pay duty on the price or market value, whichever is higher.

## Queensland at a Glance

| Topic | The rule |
| --- | --- |
| Certificate | Safety certificate, obtained by the seller, valid 2 months or 2,000 km |
| Transfer deadline | 14 days from the purchase |
| Who does the transfer | Both sign the transfer form; you lodge it |
| Duty | On the sale price or market value, whichever is higher, paid when you transfer |
| Before you pay | Your own PPSR search, on the day |

## The Safety Certificate

A private seller must get a safety certificate from an approved inspection station before selling a registered car. For private sellers it's valid for 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first. A handwritten certificate must be displayed on the car; an electronic one doesn't have to be, but the seller must show it to you if you ask. Each certificate can only be used for one transfer ([Queensland Government](https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/roadworthy)).

Check it hasn't expired or gone past 2,000 km. A safety certificate checks safety items at the time of inspection; it isn't a full mechanical inspection, so check the car yourself with a [used car inspection checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist).

## Transferring the Registration

You and the seller both sign the vehicle registration transfer application, and you lodge it, online or at a transport and motoring service centre, within 14 days. You'll need the current safety certificate and evidence of identity. A handwritten certificate has to be recorded at a service centre before you can transfer online ([Queensland Government](https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/transfer/rego)).

## Vehicle Registration Duty

Duty is calculated on the higher of the total sale price or the car's market value, and is paid when you transfer the registration ([Queensland Government](https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/transfer/rego)).

## Checks Before You Buy

The Queensland Government recommends a PPSR search, which costs $2, and checking that the number plate, construction date, VIN and engine number on the registration certificate all match the car. Written-off vehicles under 15 years old are listed on the written-off register ([Queensland Government](https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/buying/rules/used)).

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), [NSW](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-in-nsw), [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).

---

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).