# Buying a Used Car in Victoria

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

In a private sale in Victoria, the seller must give you a roadworthy certificate (RWC) less than 30 days old, and you have 14 days from the purchase to transfer the registration and pay motor vehicle duty. Duty is charged on the purchase price or the market value, whichever is higher.

## Victoria at a Glance

| Topic | The rule |
| --- | --- |
| Certificate | Roadworthy certificate (RWC), supplied by the seller, less than 30 days old |
| Transfer deadline | 14 days from the purchase |
| Who does the transfer | The seller starts it; you complete your part with VicRoads |
| Duty | On the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, paid when you transfer |
| Before you pay | Your own PPSR search, on the day |

## The Roadworthy Certificate

When a registered car is sold privately, the seller must give you a roadworthy certificate that's less than 30 days old, and you'll need it to transfer the registration unless the car is exempt ([VicRoads](https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/buy-sell-transfer/buying-car/buying-used-vehicle)).

## What an RWC Doesn't Tell You

A roadworthy certificate confirms the car met safety standards when it was inspected. It isn't a check of its mechanical reliability or general condition ([Department of Transport](https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-and-active-transport/registration-and-licensing/registration/roadworthy-certification/roadworthy-certificate)), so a car with a fresh RWC can still have expensive problems. Inspect it yourself with a [used car inspection checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist), and consider an independent inspection, especially when buying privately.

## Transferring the Registration

Ask the seller to start the transfer when you collect the car. VicRoads then asks you to complete your part, which you can do in myVicRoads. You must complete the transfer and pay duty within 14 days of the purchase; if you haven't had a request from VicRoads within that time, contact them ([VicRoads](https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/buy-sell-transfer/buying-car/buying-used-vehicle)).

## Motor Vehicle Duty

Duty is worked out on the higher of the purchase price or the car's market value, and for a used car the value is set when you lodge the transfer, not when you bought it. The State Revenue Office uses an industry valuation guide, so declaring a low price won't lower the duty ([State Revenue Office](https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/vehicles-and-car-parks/motor-vehicle-duty/understanding-motor-vehicle-duty)).

## Before You Pay

Run your own [PPSR check](https://shufti.com.au/guides/what-is-a-ppsr-check) on the day you pay, and check [the documents](https://shufti.com.au/guides/what-documents-to-check-when-buying-a-used-car). Remember that private sales don't come with a dealer's guarantees: see [buying from a private seller](https://shufti.com.au/guides/buying-a-used-car-from-a-private-seller).

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