ACL
Federal consumer-protection law that applies to every good or service sold by a business in Australia - including used cars sold by licensed dealers. ACL guarantees acceptable quality, fitness for purpose, and matching the description, with no fixed time limit.
ANCAP
ANCAP is the independent vehicle safety authority for Australia and New Zealand. It crash-tests new vehicles and assigns 0-5 star safety ratings. ANCAP ratings are valid for ~6 years from issue, after which the car may receive an updated test.
Compliance plate
The compliance plate is the manufacturer's metal identifier plate fixed to the vehicle, listing VIN, build date, GVM, and country of compliance. Tampered or replaced plates are the smoking-gun signal of vehicle theft / 'rebirthing'.
CTP
CTP is the legally required insurance covering injury to other people in a road accident you cause. Every Australian state runs its own CTP scheme - some bundle it into the rego fee, others (NSW) sell it as a separate 'Greenslip'.
DPF
DPF is the exhaust component that traps soot from diesel combustion. DPF blockages are the #1 reason a 2010+ diesel needs an expensive workshop visit — particularly on utes used for short urban trips. Verify DPF service history before buying any modern diesel.
Encumbrance
An encumbrance is any registered claim against an asset — for vehicles, typically a finance loan that's still being repaid. An 'encumbered vehicle' is one with money owing on it via a PPSR security interest.
NEVDIS
NEVDIS is the federal database of Australian vehicle identity, registration history, write-off status, stolen flags, and odometer readings — aggregated from all 8 state and territory transport authorities.
Odometer rollback
Odometer rollback is the practice of winding back the displayed kilometres on a used car to inflate its market value. AU's most common used-car fraud, particularly on high-km utes (HiLux, Ranger, D-Max). NEVDIS history catches it.
PPSR
PPSR is the Australian government register of secured loans against personal property — including cars. A PPSR check before buying a used car shows whether the seller actually owns it free of any outstanding finance.
Recall
A recall is a manufacturer-issued correction for a safety defect in a vehicle. Recalls are administered through the ACCC's Product Safety Australia register. Open recalls follow the vehicle, not the original buyer — verify any used car has had outstanding recalls completed.
Rego (Registration)
Rego is the vehicle's road-use licence issued by a state or territory transport authority. The rego plate is attached to the vehicle, but registration itself is renewed annually and is what authorises the vehicle to be driven on public roads.
Repairable write-off
A repairable write-off is a vehicle the insurer chose not to repair (typically because repair cost > market value) but which can be re-registered after passing a state-specific inspection. The WOVR notation stays on NEVDIS forever.
Repossession
Repossession is the legal process by which a finance company seizes a vehicle to recover an unpaid loan. If you buy a car with a PPSR-registered encumbrance, the financier can repossess it from you — even if you didn't know about the debt.
Roadworthy Certificate
A state-issued certificate stating the vehicle passes minimum safety standards. Required for ownership transfer in most states (VIC's RWC is the strictest; QLD calls it a Safety Certificate; NSW calls it a pink slip; SA + TAS waive it on most transfers).
Stamp duty (on a vehicle)
A state-government tax paid by the buyer when a vehicle is registered in their name. Calculated on the greater of sale price or market value. Varies by state but typically $3-$4 per $100 of value - about $900-$1,260 on a $30,000 car.
Statutory write-off
A statutory write-off is a vehicle so badly damaged that it cannot legally be re-registered for road use anywhere in Australia. The vehicle can only be sold for parts or scrap. Listed on NEVDIS forever.
Stolen vehicle check
A stolen vehicle check verifies that the VIN and registration plates aren't recorded on any Australian state's stolen-vehicle register. Buying a stolen car forfeits the vehicle and your money to the original owner.
Transfer of rego
Transfer of registration is the legal step that moves a vehicle's registration from the seller's name to the buyer's name. Each state has its own form, fee, and timing requirement (typically 14 days from purchase). Transfer is what makes you the legal owner.
VIN
A VIN is the 17-character globally unique identifier for a specific vehicle. It's stamped on the compliance plate and etched into the chassis. The VIN is what PPSR and NEVDIS use to track a vehicle's history independent of its rego (which can change).
WOVR
WOVR is the register of vehicles declared 'written off' by an insurance company. Two categories: statutory (cannot be re-registered) and repairable (can be re-registered after a state-specific inspection). The WOVR notation stays on NEVDIS forever.