Used car buying checklist for Victoria

Buying a used car goes smoothly when you check the right things in the right order. Work through these steps before you sign anything or hand over money. Most of them take only a few minutes.

1. Set your budget, including on-road costs

• Decide what the car needs to do: seats, boot space, fuel economy, towing, and how much city or highway driving you do. Shortlist two or three body types or models.
• Allow for stamp duty and the transfer fee. In Victoria, motor vehicle duty on most used cars is $8.40 for every $200 of value, so a $25,000 car attracts about $1,050. Our stamp duty guide explains how it's worked out. When you buy from a dealer, the used car notice shows a single price that includes all fees and duties.
• Get an insurance quote for the exact model before you commit. Premiums vary a lot between similar cars.

2. Check the car's history

• Run a PPSR check. A search on the government's PPSR costs $2 and needs the car's VIN (not the number plate). It shows whether money is owing on the car, and whether it's recorded as written off or stolen. Do it on the day you buy or the day before, because the result can change.
• Know what the PPSR doesn't show: previous owners, the odometer reading or unpaid fines.
• Match the VIN. Check the VIN on the car matches the one on the registration papers, the PPSR certificate and any contract.
• Ask for the service history. A logbook or receipts that match the odometer reading are a good sign. Big gaps are worth asking about.
• Ask about written-off history. Licensed dealers must tell you if a car has been on a written-off vehicles register, and the used car notice shows it.

3. Inspect the car in daylight

Outside

• Uneven gaps between panels, or paint that doesn't quite match, can mean accident repairs.
• Look for rust, especially around wheel arches, door sills and the boot.
• Check every tyre, including the spare. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
• Check all lights and indicators work, and that the glass is free of cracks.

Under the bonnet

• Look for oil, coolant or other leaks, and check the fluid levels.
• Milky oil on the dipstick or under the oil cap is a warning sign.
• Look under the car where it's been parked for fresh drips.

Inside

• Make sure warning lights come on briefly when you start the car and then go out.
• Test the air conditioning, heater, windows, locks, seats, seat belts and infotainment.
• Wear on the steering wheel, pedals and driver's seat should be in line with the kilometres shown.
• A damp or musty smell, or water stains, can mean leaks or past water damage.

4. Test drive from cold

• Ask that the engine isn't warmed up before you arrive. A cold start shows up problems a warm engine can hide.
• Listen for knocks, rattles or squeals, and watch for smoke from the exhaust.
• Check that the car brakes in a straight line and the steering doesn't pull to one side.
• Gear changes should be smooth, whether automatic or manual.
• Drive at different speeds, including on a main road if you can, and try parking and reversing.

If you're not confident judging a car's mechanical condition, you can pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection before you buy.

5. Check the paperwork before you pay

Buying from a licensed dealer

• Used car notice: check the odometer reading, the price including fees, the written-off status and whether the car has a statutory warranty.
• Defect notice: if there is one, read it carefully. Listed defects aren't covered by the statutory warranty.
• Contract: it must include the cooling-off box. You have 3 clear business days to cool off, but you lose that right if you take the car during that time.
• Roadworthy certificate: for a registered car, the dealer must give you one issued within the last 30 days.
• The dealer handles the registration transfer and collects the duty from you.

Our guide to your rights buying from a licensed dealer explains each of these.

Buying from a private seller

• The seller must give you a roadworthy certificate less than 30 days old for a registered car.
• There's no cooling-off period and no statutory warranty, so do all your checks before you agree to buy.
• You'll need to complete the transfer and pay the duty with VicRoads within 14 days of buying the car.
• Pay in a way that leaves a record, and get a receipt with the VIN, price, date and both parties' details.

See dealer vs private seller for a side-by-side comparison.

6. After you buy

• Keep the contract, used car notice, roadworthy certificate, PPSR certificate and receipts together.
• If something goes wrong while a statutory warranty applies, contact the dealer before arranging any repairs.
• Set reminders for registration renewal and the next service.

Looking for a particular type of car? Tell Driveon Australia your budget and what you need, and we'll let you know what we have.

Common questions

What does a PPSR check show?

A PPSR car search shows whether there's a security interest registered against the car (money may be owing on it), whether it's recorded as written off or stolen, and its make, model and colour. It costs $2 and you need the car's VIN. It doesn't show the owner history, the odometer reading or unpaid fines.

How long is a roadworthy certificate valid in Victoria?

For selling or transferring a registered car, a roadworthy certificate is current for 30 days from the day it was issued.