As a private seller in Australia, providing a PPSR check and a Roadworthy or Safety Certificate (where applicable) is one of the most effective things you can do to sell faster and achieve a better price. Here's what each check involves, when it's required, and how to use it to your advantage.
PPSR Check: The National Encumbrance Register
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) at ppsr.gov.au is a national register that records financial interests in personal property — including vehicles. A PPSR check tells the buyer whether the vehicle:
- Has finance owing (e.g. a car loan that hasn't been paid off)
- Has been reported as stolen
- Is a write-off (repairable write-off or total loss)
- Has been used as security for a business loan
A PPSR check costs $2 per VIN at ppsr.gov.au. As a seller, running one before you list has two benefits: it confirms the car is clean, and it allows you to show the result to buyers, removing a common objection before it's raised.
- If your car has finance owing: The loan must be paid out and the PPSR registration discharged before you can legally sell the car free of encumbrance. Contact your lender to get a payout figure.
- If the car was a repairable write-off: This will appear on the PPSR. It doesn't prevent a sale, but it must be disclosed and will significantly affect your achievable price.
- Providing the PPSR result to buyers: Screenshot or download the result and include it in your listing or share it with serious buyers. It signals transparency and professionalism.
Roadworthy Certificate / Safety Certificate: State-by-State Rules
Australia has no single national roadworthy standard — the requirement to provide a roadworthy or safety certificate when selling a car varies by state and territory:
- Victoria: A Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) is required by law when selling a registered vehicle privately. You must obtain one from a licensed vehicle tester before the sale can be completed.
- Queensland: A Safety Certificate (previously known as a roadworthy) is required when selling a registered vehicle privately. The certificate is valid for 2 months or 2,000 km.
- New South Wales: No equivalent roadworthy is required at the time of private sale, but the car's registration must be current. The buyer will need a pink slip (e-Safety Check) when renewing registration.
- Western Australia: No roadworthy is required for private sales of standard vehicles, but there are rules around selling unregistered vehicles.
- South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, NT: Roadworthy requirements vary — check your state's transport authority for the current rules.
- Selling unregistered: You may sell a car without registration, but the price will reflect the additional cost and inconvenience for the buyer of re-registering and potentially obtaining a roadworthy.
Service History: Why It Matters for Price
- Log book service history: A vehicle with a complete log book serviced at the manufacturer's recommended intervals — ideally at a franchised dealer — commands a premium in the Australian market, particularly for vehicles under 100,000 km.
- Mechanic receipts: If you've used an independent mechanic, retain all receipts and service records. They tell a buyer the car has been maintained, even without a franchised dealer stamp.
- Timing belt / chain: If your car has a timing belt that has been replaced, document it. It's a known cost that buyers budget for — evidence it's been done removes a buyer objection.
- Recent work: New tyres, brakes, or major service work done before listing are genuine selling points. Mention them explicitly in your listing description.
How These Checks Affect Your Asking Price
- A car with a clear PPSR, current RWC/Safety Certificate, and documented service history can legitimately sit at the top of the market price range for its year and km.
- A car without these may still sell, but expect buyers to negotiate harder and to factor the cost and inconvenience of obtaining them into their offer.
- In VIC and QLD, where a roadworthy is legally required, the question isn't whether to get one — it's whether to do it before listing (recommended) or let the buyer arrange it (which typically costs you more in negotiation than the certificate itself).
