Used car buying checklist for Australian buyers

1. Before you look at the car

• Set a total budget that includes stamp duty, transfer fees, insurance and a buffer for repairs.
• Research the model: common faults, service costs, recalls and safety ratings.
• Ask the seller for the VIN before you travel. A genuine seller won’t mind. Run a PPSR check early to rule out obvious problems.
• Ask why they’re selling, how long they’ve owned it and whether it has a full service history.
• Buying from an online ad? Read how to avoid Marketplace and Gumtree scams first.

2. Check the paperwork

• Match the VIN on the windscreen, door pillar and build plate to the registration papers. Where to find every VIN.
• Check the seller’s ID matches the name and address on the registration.
• Read the service logbook. Compare the last recorded kilometres to the odometer and look for gaps. An odometer check helps here.
• Ask for receipts for major work, such as a timing belt, clutch or tyres.

3. Inspect the car

• Inspect in daylight and dry weather, when paint defects and leaks are easier to see.
• Look for uneven panel gaps, paint overspray and mismatched colours, which are signs of crash repairs.
• Check under the car and in the boot well for rust and water.
• Check the tyres for uneven wear, which can point to alignment or suspension problems.
• Look under the oil cap and in the coolant tank for sludge or oil in the coolant.
• Test every electric item: windows, air-con, lights, infotainment.

4. Test drive

• Start from cold. Ask the seller not to warm it up before you arrive.
• Drive on a mix of streets and highway. Check the brakes, steering, gear changes and cruise control.
• Listen for knocks, whines or clunks, and watch for warning lights.
• Make sure you’re insured to test drive, or let the seller drive first.

5. Get independent checks

• Book a pre-purchase inspection for anything worth more than a few thousand dollars.
• Run a PPSR check on the day you pay, not the week before. Finance can be added at any time.
• For bigger purchases, a full vehicle history report adds insurance claim warnings, safety ratings and registration details.

6. Pay and transfer

• Pay by bank transfer rather than large amounts of cash, so there’s a record.
• Get a signed receipt with the date, price, VIN, registration number and both parties’ details.
• Lodge the transfer with your state road authority within the deadline, and pay any stamp duty. See buying a used car by state.
• Arrange insurance from the moment you take ownership.