Buying a used car can be intriguing, but there are dangers ahead on the road.
We want you to be assured that your next vehicle has no hidden secrets. Before purchasing a used car, you should consider the following:
- Budget properly (and don't stray from it),
- Take into account the likely costs of fuel, maintenance, registration and insurance,
- Have an independent mechanical inspection organised,
- Take the vehicle for a spin, of course.
You can look up the vehicle on the PPSR to see if it has any outstanding debt, has been previously written off, has been reported as stolen.
It is not required for private sellers to disclose whether a vehicle has been written off, has an airbag recall, or if the seller still owes money on it. Theft is certainly not one of the items they will disclose!
A quick search on the Australian Government's PPSR database can provide you with the answers to these critical issues.
Money Owing
If a bank provided the money to purchase the automobile, the car is subject to a security interest. The security interest is attached to the vehicle, not to the individual who took out the loan. Even if the individual selling the car still owes money on it and does not repay the loan, the car might be seized after you purchase it. You can check with PPSR to see if a security interest has been registered against the car. Before you purchase the car, discuss with the seller how you will pay off the loan.
Written Off
Write-off's in Australia are of two types: statutory and repairable. A vehicle that has been written off by the law is not permitted to be driven or registered again. A write-off car has been in an accident or damaged, possibly by storm, flood, or fire, and has been judged by the insurer as too costly to repair. There are still some states and territories in Australia where you may register and drive a repairable write-off, provided that it passes a safety and identity check. You should consult the regulations in your area before purchasing a used vehicle. This is something you should be aware of before you commit to purchasing a used automobile. Yo can visit our Written-Off Check page to learn more.
Stolen
Every 12 minutes, a car is stolen in Australia!
If you unwittingly purchase a stolen vehicle, you may be out of luck. A PPSR check can help you determine whether a used vehicle has been stolen. Even if a vehicle is not registered as stolen, it may still be.An excessively low asking price or signs that the Vehicle Identification number, or VIN for short, has been tampered with are just a few of the tell-tale signs of a stolen car being offered. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For more information visit the stolen vehicle check page.
Takata Airbag
Multiple deaths and serious injuries have occurred as a result of Takata airbags releasing high-speed shrapnel during an accident. You can check at ismyairbagsafe.com.au if a used vehicle has been subject to the recall. If the search reveals that the car has been recalled, you can find out if the airbag has been repaired.
Finding out if your potential new car has any of these secrets is easy to check instantly.
You need only:
- having your mobile device and credit or debit card ready,
- vehicle's VIN or Rego,
- make a used car check,
- check your inbox and see if you have any new messages!
It is imperative to conduct a PPSR check prior to buying a vehicle. Do not hand over any cash until you have completed the search and received a certificate. When you see a car you like the look of, you may also want to do a PPSR search right away to see if there are any red flags. The PPSR certificate is a legal record of your results, and it further protects you from the risk of repossession, so keep it in a safe place.
Furthermore, you may use the PPSR to examine other vehicles, such as pickups, utes, motorcycles, and campervans. Whenever you're considering buying a secondhand car or some other vehicle from a private seller, make sure you check the PPSR.
Do not risk either yourself or your money. Do a quick used car check and be confident.
