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Buying a car, insurance and registration
Used cars
You may be able to find a used car for sale on Car Sales, Facebook marketplace, Gumtree or a used car dealership.
Make sure you check the history of the vehicle, including cars, motorbikes, trailers and trucks, by using the Personal Property Securities Register. This will tell you whether there is any finance on the vehicle or if the car is stolen or written off, in which case you should not go ahead with the sale. ​You can also use the Car History website for a more comprehensive report on the history of the car.
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Choice have a great checklist on what to look for when buying a new car that might be of use.
Registration and insurance
All cars must be registered in Australia. You can search for registration details via your state or territory roads authority.
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When you buy a car be sure to get a copy of the registration papers as you will need to transfer the registration into your name, usually within a few days of purchase. You should check the seller's license, the number plates and the VIN number on the engine against the details on the registration papers to make sure they match.
It is a good idea to make sure the car is insured before you drive away. Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP) covers personal injuries but if you also want cover for any damage caused to your vehicle or any other vehicles in an accident you will need to get comprehensive car insurance as well. Be sure to get several quotes for your insurance as the price can vary between providers. You will also need to update your eTag with the details of your new vehicle.
Receipt of sale
All buyers and sellers should fill out a receipt which will protect both parties as it will prove the sale occurred, the price and the terms of the agreement.
A template of what to include in a receipt of sale is listed below. You can also download this car receipt of sale at the bottom of this page.
Date:
Name of seller:
Seller's driver's license number:
Name of buyer:
Buyer's driver's license number:
Car details
Make:
Model:
Colour:
Year:
Registration plate number:
VIN:
Agreed price:
Deposit paid:
Date in which final payment is due:
Buyer's signature:
Seller's signature:
Downloads
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