Selling Your Car Privately

• Run your own PPSR search on ppsr.gov.au, so you know exactly what a buyer's search will show.
• If you still owe finance, get a written payout letter from your financier - a buyer's lender will need it to pay out your loan at settlement. See selling with finance owing.
• Gather your registration papers, service history, owner's manuals and spare keys.

Certificate rules differ a lot between states and territories. Some require the seller to provide a certificate for the sale - for example, a roadworthy certificate in Victoria or a safety certificate in Queensland - while others only require an inspection in particular situations. Certificates are often only valid for a limited time, so check when you need yours so it doesn't lapse before settlement.

Check your state's rules: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory.

• Meet somewhere safe, ideally in daylight and with someone else present.
• Before a test drive, check the driver's licence and take a photo of it, and go along for the drive.
• Check with your insurer whether your policy covers someone else driving your car.

• Only accept a traceable bank transfer, and wait until the money has cleared in your account - not just a screenshot or an email saying it's been sent - before handing over the car, keys or papers.
• Avoid accepting a large amount in cash.
• Watch for overpayment scams (a buyer "accidentally" pays too much and asks for a refund) and fake emails claiming you need to pay a fee to receive a PayID payment. See Scamwatch for current scams.
• If your buyer is using finance, their lender pays you (and your financier, if you owe money) directly. This can take a little longer than a straight transfer - agree the timing upfront.

• Give the buyer a written receipt showing the date, price, VIN, registration number, and both parties' names and signatures - and keep a copy.
• Complete your state's transfer paperwork. Who lodges what differs by state - check your state guide.

• Lodge your Notice of Disposal (or your state's equivalent) within your state's deadline. In several states you can stay responsible for tolls and fines until you do.
• Once the transfer is done, cancel or update your insurance and any toll account or e-tag linked to the car.
• Clear your personal data - paired phones, saved addresses, connected apps and garage remotes.
• If your buyer is taking the car to another state, see interstate sales.

• Interactive checklist & stamp duty estimator
• Buying from a business, trust, estate or lease
• Buying or selling a car interstate
• When the seller still owes finance
• Buying equipment, plant or a work vehicle privately
• Selling equipment privately

State & territory guides

• Buying privately in New South Wales
• Buying privately in Victoria
• Buying privately in Queensland
• Buying privately in South Australia
• Buying privately in Western Australia
• Buying privately in Tasmania
• Buying privately in the Australian Capital Territory
• Buying privately in the Northern Territory