Private Sale Guide · Queensland

Buying a Car Privately in Queensland

What to check, what it costs, and how it works when finance is involved. Want a checklist tailored to your exact situation instead? Try our free interactive guide.

General guide only. Laws, fees and rules change from time to time and differ between states and territories. Always confirm the current requirements with the relevant state or territory authority before you buy or sell.

Roadworthy & Safety Certificate

Required for most private sales of a registered light vehicle - the SELLER must get a current safety certificate and give it to the buyer when registration is transferred. You don't need one to advertise the car, so time the inspection so the certificate is still valid at settlement.

Not needed if the vehicle is unregistered or is sold to a licensed motor dealer, and a few other limited exemptions apply. Rules can change, so confirm your situation on the Queensland Government's safety certificate page before you sell. RACQ's safety certificate guide is a useful plain-English summary.

Provided byAn Approved Inspection Station (AIS), arranged by the seller.
Valid for2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first, for a private sale.

Transferring Registration

Deadline14 daysfrom the sale date
Lodged byboth buyer and seller (must complete/sign form F3520, or complete a 2-step online process)
MethodOnline (2-step: seller then buyer) or in person at a transport and motoring customer service centre / QGAP / police station / Magistrates Court.
Late feeA late fee applies if you miss the deadline - check the current amount with Queensland's transport authority.

Stamp Duty & Fees

Stamp duty is based on: Greater of price paid or market value. It's payable by the buyer.

Use Queensland's official duty calculator for an exact figure - our stamp duty estimator gives a rough guide where one's available.

Transfer fee: the current figure on Queensland's transport authority

Possible concessionsDeceased-estate transfers (personal representative/beneficiary, Duties Act 2001 (Qld) s.390), Spouse-to-spouse and immediate-family 'gift' transfers.

Selling in Queensland? Notice of Disposal

If you're selling, you need to lodge a Notice of Disposal, via Apply to transfer registration, OR give the chief executive a 'disposal notice' (per Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021, reg 44).

Why it mattersUntil the transfer is recorded, the seller may remain the registered operator and be responsible for tolls, fines and registration in their name - check the process with Transport and Main Roads.

Write-Off Status

Statutory write-off

Damage assessed beyond safe repair, or fire/flood/stripped - cannot be re-registered anywhere in Australia.

Repairable write-off

Total loss but repairable; can be re-registered after repair, a safety certificate, and a written-off vehicle inspection.

Your PPSR search result will show if the vehicle is on the Written-Off Vehicle Register.

Before You Buy: Universal Checks

  • Run an official PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) vehicle search on ppsr.gov.au using the VIN - it's the only source of truth for money owing, stolen or written-off status. Third-party sites charge a mark-up for the same search; use the official site.
  • Match the VIN on the vehicle itself (compliance plate/windscreen) against the VIN on the registration papers and the PPSR result - they must all match exactly.
  • Meet in person, somewhere safe and public if possible, and check the seller's ID matches the name on the registration papers.
  • Never pay a deposit or balance via PayID, gift cards, or a payment link sent by the seller - use a traceable bank transfer, and confirm the account name matches the person you've verified in person.

Official Sources

More From the Private Sale Guide

Financing a private sale in Queensland?

Get Pre-Approved First
Important

This page provides general information only - it is not credit, legal or tax advice, and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. State rules, fees and duty rates change and should be confirmed directly with the relevant state or territory authority (linked above) before you act. Arron Oliver is an Authorised Credit Representative (#546869) of Quantum Business Finance Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence No. 395230. See our Privacy Policy.