Checklist for car buyers
Get a PPSR check
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash, make sure you get a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) car history check. This will tell you if your vehicle is debt-free and safe from repossession.Take the car for a test drive
Make sure you take the car for a decent test drive over a range of different road conditions and speeds to ensure it drives and feels right.Before test driving any car, find out who is liable if an accident happens during the test drive and decide if you’re prepared to take the risk of possible financial responsibility.
If a private seller refuses to let you test drive a car, walk away. There are plenty of cars on the market and it simply isn’t worth the risk.
Bring along someone who has knowledge of cars
If you don’t trust your own knowledge, bring someone who knows what they’re doing. You can also get a vehicle inspection from RACQ, which includes a comprehensive report on the car’s condition and notes any repairs that might be just around the corner.Check the service history
If you can find a car that has a complete service history with it, then you’ll have a better idea what it's been through and what work has been done.Are there any illegal modifications?
It can be extremely difficult to identify illegal modifications, so your best bet is to ensure you have a vehicle Inspection done on any vehicle you are keen to buy. You could be fined if your car has illegal modifications, the car could be impounded, and it could affect your ability to insure the car.Get insurance
Before you drive away in your new set of wheels, make sure you’re insured. Many insurance companies will provide you with a cover note which gives you a short-term policy that covers the car as you drive it home.Do your paperwork
If you’re buying privately, you'll need to submit the following items to the Department of Transport and Main Roads within 14 days of your purchase:
- Part A of the Vehicle Registration Transfer Aapplication (F3520).
- A current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection.
- Your driver licence or evidence of identity.
- Evidence of the Queensland address where the vehicle will be stored.
If you buy your new car from a dealer, they will lodge the documents with the Department of Transport and Main Roads for you.
Avoiding a lemon
Just because a car looks good, doesn’t mean it’s in good mechanical order.
It might look good from the outside, but that doesn’t mean everything is working properly.
In Queensland, Safety Certificates are required by law to transfer a vehicle's registration. But make sure you know the difference between a Safety Certificate inspection and an RACQ vehicle inspection.
Safety certificate inspections
A safety certificate inspection is a basic safety check. It doesn’t identify every potentially serious and costly fault. So, a used car can have a valid safety certificate, but still need major repairs.
RACQ vehicle inspections
An RACQ vehicle inspection is more like a car health check. It checks for the current condition of the car and identifies major problems. For information or to book go to RACQ vehicle inspections.
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Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO)). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply.
Any advice provided by RDS and RACQO is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a purchase decision on the product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803, AR No.432492) (RACQ) are authorised representatives of the RACQ Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACQ Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of Tokio Marine. Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available at racq.com or on request from RACQ.