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General information only: This guide does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not financial advice. Credit eligibility, rates and terms depend on the lender's assessment.
Match the seller, vehicle and records
Sight the physical vehicle and match its VIN, registration and identifying details to the sale agreement and available records. Confirm the seller’s identity and basis for ownership rather than relying only on messages or a bank-account name.
The private-sale finance authority page covers borrower, lender and controlled-settlement requirements. This checklist focuses on the buyer’s independent verification before purchase.
Inspect condition and document the agreement
Arrange an independent inspection suitable for the vehicle and compare the price with a defensible market range. Record the price, deposit, year, make, model, VIN, registration, odometer and any promises or conditions in writing.
- Verify VIN and registration details against the physical vehicle
- Check service, repair and recall information where available
- Arrange an independent mechanical inspection
- Record inclusions, keys and handover conditions
- Confirm when risk, registration and insurance responsibility change
A PPSR search is necessary but incomplete
A Personal Property Securities Register motor-vehicle search can identify registered security interests and certain stolen or written-off information. It does not prove that the seller owns the vehicle, that the vehicle is mechanically sound, that the price is fair or that the seller’s bank account is genuine.
Where finance is recorded, obtain a current payout figure and follow a controlled settlement that discharges the existing financier before directing any remaining balance to the seller.
Verify payment and preserve the handover record
Verify bank and payout instructions through the agreed process before releasing funds. Keep the signed sale agreement, receipt, inspection, PPSR certificate, payout evidence and transfer records. Arrange insurance to begin when responsibility for the vehicle passes to you.
Sources and further reading
Primary sources checked when this guide was reviewed:
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