PPSR Search

What is a PPSR?

A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a registration of properties collected in the Australian Government database. It is what all vehicle buyers should obtain before purchasing the car. By doing so, you will protect yourself against buying an encumbered vehicle, but there are also other benefits.

Why do I need a PPSR Search?

Conducting a PPSR Search, you will be provided information on the history of the car. When you are considering on purchasing a car, you would want to know if the car is a reliable car. For your own safety, you should know the status of the vehicle that you are potentially buying. For example, if the car has been written-off, stolen or encumbered.

Without a PPSR Search, you will be at risk of purchasing a car that has a loan attached to it. If that happens, your car may be taken away despite the money you have already paid. In other cases, the finance holder may transfer the debt to the new owner of the vehicle; which means that you will be the person paying off the debt.

How to Get a PPSR Search?

Obtaining a PPSR Search is easy and simple. You may order one from CARIFY or other online services. All you need is the rego number or VIN number of the car, a valid credit or debit card, and an email address.

What do I Do After Getting a PPSR Search?

As with any detailed report, it is important to read the document. Here are some things that you should check in the PPSR report:

• Does the car have finance owing on it? While this may seem bad, paying for a percentage of a car may make the deal worth it. For example, if the owner is asking $5000 for a car that is worth $15000 and it has $4000 owing on finance, that is not necessarily a bad deal.
• Has the vehicle been written off? This may make the vehicle hard to insure, as often insurers will not insure a car that has already been devalued. It is best to check with an insurer before continuing with the sale.
• Has the car been stolen? When the car was stolen, you would not know what has happened to it before it was found. To be safe, ensure that the car is carefully inspected by an auto mechanic.

So before making any payments for a vehicle you should get a PPSR Certificate to protect yourself against fraudulent transactions.