Used car buying checklist for Australia

Before you go and see it

1. Check the price. Compare the asking price with what similar cars actually sell for. A price well below the market is a warning, not a bargain.
2. Ask for the VIN and the plate, and run a PPSR check for money owing, written-off and stolen records. Never skip this on a private sale.
3. Ask why they are selling, how long they have owned it, and whether the service book is up to date.

When you see the car

1. Match the VIN on the car (compliance plate, windscreen, and the frame) with the one on the rego papers and the PPSR certificate.
2. Check the seller's licence matches the name on the registration papers, and that you are viewing at their home address.
3. Look for uneven panel gaps, paint that does not match, rust, and fluid leaks.
4. Start it from cold. Listen for knocks, look for smoke, and check no warning lights stay on.
5. Test drive on different roads. Check the brakes, steering, gears and air conditioning.
6. Check the tyres, including the spare, and the age of the battery.

Before you pay

1. Get an independent inspection from a mechanic or a motoring club if you are not sure.
2. Run the PPSR check again on the day if a few days have passed.
3. Pay by bank transfer, not large amounts of cash, and get a written receipt with the VIN, price, date and both names.
4. Complete the transfer of registration with your state's road authority within the time it allows.

Dealer or private seller?

Expect to pay more at a licensed dealer, and expect to get more: a car that has been inspected and prepared, a statutory warranty on most newer used cars, a guarantee of clear title in most states, and, within limits, the protection of the Australian Consumer Law. A private sale has none of that, so you can reasonably expect a lower price to make up for the risk and the work. If a private seller wants dealer money, ask what you are getting for it.

Red flags

• The seller will only meet in a car park, or the address does not match the papers.
• The VIN looks tampered with, or does not match.
• Pressure to pay a deposit before you have seen the car.
• No service history and a vague story about the car's past.