Used Car Buying Checklist

What to check before you buy a used car in Australia, in five steps. Print it, or enter the rego to make it the checklist for that car.

Make it the checklist for your car

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The checklist

  1. Before you go 0/5
  2. Inspection 0/9
  3. Test drive 0/5
  4. Paperwork 0/7
  5. After you buy 0/6

  1. Before you go

    0 of 5

  2. Inspection

    0 of 9

  3. Test drive

    0 of 5

  4. Paperwork

    0 of 7

    Where to find the VIN

    Most cars show it at the base of the windscreen, on a door pillar and under the bonnet. The registration papers carry it too.

    Older cars also carry a compliance plate, usually under the bonnet or on a door pillar. A car supplied new since mid 2021 may have none: it is entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles instead.

    Run these checks in one go

    The history report checks for finance owing, write-offs, theft and odometer rollbacks.

    Average rating of 4.9/5 on ProductReview.com.au

  5. After you buy

    0 of 6

    What it costs on top of the price

    Put in the price you're offered for the stamp duty, the transfer fee and a year's rego.

    Is the car worth more than the price?
    Stamp duty (motor vehicle duty)
    $900

    Up to $45,000: $3 per $100 or part of $100 of the whole value

    Transfer fee
    $42
    Rego, 12 months (estimate)
    $375

    A private car of 1,151 to 1,500 kg tare, less the $100 private vehicle discount on renewals. CTP insurance (the green slip) is bought separately from an insurer and is not included.

    On top of the price
    $1,317

    Duty at Revenue NSW rates as at 27 October 2026 (revenue.nsw.gov.au).

    How stamp duty works in NSW

Checklists by model

The same checklist with the model's known faults, what it is advertised for by year, its service interval and where its VIN is. For any other car, pick it in the box at the top.

Alpine

Audi

Chrysler

Ferrari

Isuzu

Land Rover

LDV

Lexus

MG

Ram

Renault

Questions

What should I check when buying a used car?

Check the price against similar cars, then the body, tyres, engine and interior in daylight, with the engine cold. Take a test drive of at least 20 minutes. Before you pay, check for money owing, a write-off and the odometer, and that the VIN on the car matches the papers.

What paperwork do I need when buying a used car?

The registration papers, the seller's licence matching them, the service book, a receipt with the VIN, rego, price and both signatures, and in Queensland and Victoria a current safety or roadworthy certificate. A PPSR certificate shows whether money is owing on the car.

How do I know if a used car has money owing on it?

A PPSR check shows any security interest registered against the car. If one is, the lender can repossess the car even after you have paid the seller, so do not buy until it is cleared.