How to Check a Used Car for $2

A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check is an invaluable way to make sure there are no nasties waiting for you after you have bought a second-hand car.. Many used car buyers may remember the old state-based REVS check, which is now national and has been renamed PPSR.. They both perform the same service..

The PPSR is a national online register managed by the federal government and allows individuals to check if an asset - such as a car, boat or trailer - has any debts against it.. This means if the previous owner has an outstanding secured loan on the vehicle you've just purchased, it can be repossessed if they stop meeting repayments.. It can also protect buyers from buying an uninsurable vehicle..

You can check to see if a car has been written off or stolen.. You can perform the PPSR check for as little as $2 via the official government website, or $7 via an assisted phone call.. You can pay with a credit or debit card..

There are some providers that will do it for free on your behalf.. A PPSR check won't tell you how much is still owing on the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle or its ownership history, odometer reading or if there are any outstanding fines applied to the vehicle.. If you decide to do a PPSR check, it is best to do it the day before or the day of purchase to get the most up-to-date information..

The most sure fire way to do a PPSR check is visit the federal government - https://www.ppsr.gov.au/ - and follow the simple steps.. It costs just $2 and you will have the results instantly on screen, with the certificate emailed to you within 10 minutes.. Other third party websites such as Budget Direct Insurance will do the check on your behalf for free, but will collect your personal information in the process..

All you need is the vehicle's VIN or chassis number.. A VIN number is a unique 17-digit code used to identify a car.. The licence plate number will not work..

The most likely spot to find a vehicle's VIN number is the bottom corner of the windscreen, and it is viewable from the outside of the car.. If it isn't there then it is likely in the driver's side door jam near where the door latches when closed.. You'll also need a credit or debit card to pay for the transaction..

The certificate issued will have a subhead that rears PPSR Registration Details.  Under this it may say:. "There is no security interest or other registration kind registered on the PPSR against the serial number in the search criteria details." This means there is no current debt security associated with the vehicle.. The word current is important, as this may change and it is why it is best to do the check the day of purchase..

If there are details of the PPSR registration, then there is money owed on the vehicle and it could be repossessed if it isn't paid off.. As mentioned before, it won't tell you how much is still owed on the vehicle.. Underneath that there is another subhead - Additional Motor Vehicle Details - NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System)..

This is where you will see if the vehicle has been written off or stolen.. If it says not recorded under those sections then there is no current record of the vehicle being written-off or stolen.. Some companies may charge up to $40 for the service as they will include additional information..

According to the PPSR website these companies will use the "Powered by PPSR" logo to show that specific data was obtained from the official government website.. They may also provide the certificate..