Used Car Inspection Checklist: 30 Things to Check Before You Buy
An honest mechanic charges $150-$250 for a pre-purchase inspection. Most of what they're looking for, you can spot yourself in 20 minutes if you know where to look. Here's the same 30-point walkaround a good Aussie mechanic uses, structured so you can run it in front of the seller without missing anything.
Used car buyingBuying from a Dealer vs Private Seller in Australia: 2026 Decision Guide
The same 2018 Hilux is typically $4,000-$7,000 cheaper on Gumtree than on a dealer lot - but the dealer car carries statutory warranty, automatic title transfer, and consumer-law protection the private sale doesn't. This guide walks you through which premium is worth paying and when going private saves real money.
Used car buyingHow to Transfer a Car Rego Between Australian States (Step-by-Step)
You found the car you wanted in another state. Now what? Australia's 8 rego authorities don't share databases - moving plates from VIC to QLD means cancelling the VIC rego and starting fresh in QLD, with a different inspection, a different stamp-duty rate, and different paperwork. This guide walks you through it, by route.
Used car buyingHow to Negotiate a Used Car Price in Australia (Without Looking Soft)
Aussies pay an average $1,800-$3,500 more than they need to on used cars because they don't know how to anchor a negotiation. Every seller has a number; almost every seller will accept less. Here's the playbook: facts, not pressure - the facts you carry are the vehicle history report, the comparable listings, and the seller's own behaviour during the inspection.
Used car buyingUsed Car Warranty in Australia: Statutory, Dealer & Extended Explained
Three things get called 'used car warranty' in Australian advertising and they're entirely different products. Statutory warranty is what the state forces dealers to offer. Dealer warranty is what an individual dealer adds on top. Extended warranty is an insurance product you buy separately. Knowing which is which decides whether your $5,000 transmission rebuild is covered or not.
PPSR basicsWhat Does a PPSR Check Actually Include? (And What It Doesn't)
PPSR is the Australian government register of money owing on personal property — including cars. A PPSR check before buying a used car is the only reliable way to verify the seller actually owns it free of any outstanding finance. Here's exactly what's in the report, what's not, and why both matter.
PPSR basicsPPSR vs NEVDIS: What's the Difference, and Why You Need Both
PPSR and NEVDIS are two different government registers run by two different federal agencies. They cover overlapping but distinct ground — buying a used car safely means understanding both.
Used car buyingHow to Spot Odometer Rollback (Mileage Tampering) on a Used Car
Odometer rollback (winding back the displayed kilometres) is Australia's most common used-car fraud. It's also the easiest to detect if you know where to look — and a NEVDIS check makes the telltale signs obvious.
Used car buyingBuying a Written-Off Car in Australia: When It's Smart, When It's Not
A written-off vehicle isn't always a no-go. About 30% of write-offs in Australia are 'repairable write-offs' — re-registerable after a state-specific inspection, often at a real discount. Whether that's smart depends on what was wrong and who fixed it.
Used car buying5 Red Flags When Buying a Used Car Privately in Australia
Buying privately saves money compared to a dealer, but you forfeit the consumer protections that come with a dealer purchase. These are the five most common scam patterns we see in Australia — and how to spot each one before you commit.
Used car buyingThe Best Used Cars Under $20,000 in Australia (2026 Update)
Six genuinely good used cars under $20k in Australia right now — selected by combining RACV ownership-cost data, ACCC recall history, and NEVDIS write-off rates. Each pick has a brief 'what to verify before you buy' note.
PPSR basicsHow Long Does a Vehicle History Check Take in Australia?
A PPSR + NEVDIS vehicle history check should take less than 60 seconds from payment to delivered report. Here's the timing breakdown — and the reasons some providers take 24+ hours.
Used car buyingIf You've Bought a Stolen Car in Australia: What Happens Next
Buying a stolen car unknowingly is more common than you'd think — and the Australian legal system offers the buyer almost no protection. The car returns to the original owner, you lose the money, and you may face investigation as a possible accomplice. Here's how to avoid becoming the next case.