Car History Check
Run a PPSR & REVS check before you buy a used car in Australia
A car history check is the single most important step before buying a used car. For a few dollars — sometimes free — you can find out whether a vehicle still has money owing, has been written off, stolen, or has a wound-back odometer. This guide explains how to check a car’s history in Australia (PPSR, REVS, rego and VIN checks), what’s free and what isn’t, and how Car Buyers Assist helps you buy with confidence.
What a car history check reveals
A history check — built on the national PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) plus state and insurer data — can show:
- Finance owing — whether the car is security for an existing loan. If it is, the debt can follow the car to you.
- Written-off status — statutory or repairable write-offs from an accident, flood or fire.
- Stolen status — whether the vehicle is currently reported stolen.
- Odometer & registration details — to help you spot a wound-back odometer or a registration mismatch.
PPSR, REVS, rego and VIN checks — what’s the difference?
These terms overlap, which is why people search all of them:
- PPSR check — the official national check for finance and security interests (PPSR replaced the old state REVS registers).
- REVS check — the older name many people still use; in practice a REVS check today is a PPSR check.
- Rego (registration) check — confirms a vehicle’s registration status and details with the relevant state authority (often free).
- VIN check — uses the Vehicle Identification Number to look up the car; the VIN is what you enter to run most checks.
How to check a car’s history (step by step)
- Get the details — VIN (or chassis number) and the registration/plate number from the seller.
- Run a free rego/REVS check with the state road authority to confirm registration and basic status.
- Buy a PPSR certificate (a few dollars) to confirm there’s no finance owing and no write-off or stolen record.
- Cross-check the odometer and service history against the report and the logbooks.
- Walk away if anything doesn’t match — or ask us to check it for you.
Is there a free car history check in Australia?
Partly. State rego checks and some basic status checks are free. The official PPSR certificate (the one that confirms finance owing and write-off/stolen status) carries a small government fee — well worth it given a car with hidden finance can be repossessed even after you’ve paid for it. Be cautious of “100% free car history check” sites that don’t draw on official PPSR data.
Car history checks by state
Each state runs its own free rego check, but you only need one national PPSR certificate — it covers a car wherever it’s registered:
- NSW — Service NSW rego check.
- QLD — Queensland rego check.
- VIC — VicRoads rego check.
- WA — WA Department of Transport rego check.
- SA — mySA Gov rego check.
How Car Buyers Assist helps you buy with confidence
Buying through Car Buyers Assist means the homework is handled for you — sourcing the right car, negotiating the price, running the due-diligence checks, and managing the paperwork — so you don’t get caught out by a car’s hidden history.
Get buying help → | Request a callback →
Frequently asked questions
How can I check a car’s history in Australia?
Get the VIN and rego, run a free state rego check, then buy an official PPSR certificate to confirm there’s no finance owing and no write-off or stolen record.
Is a REVS check the same as a PPSR check?
Yes. REVS was the old state-based register; it was replaced by the national PPSR. A REVS check today is effectively a PPSR check.
Can I check a car’s history for free?
State rego checks are usually free, but the official PPSR certificate that confirms finance owing and write-off/stolen status has a small government fee. It’s the most important part — don’t skip it.
What happens if a car has money owing on it?
If you buy a car with finance still owing and the seller doesn’t clear the debt, the financier can repossess it — even after you’ve paid. A PPSR check before you buy protects you.
Can Car Buyers Assist check a car for me?
Yes — as part of helping you buy, we assist with the history and due-diligence checks. Get in touch.
Related guides
This page is general information only to help you buy a used car with confidence and is not legal or financial advice. Always obtain an official PPSR certificate and your own advice before purchasing a vehicle.
How a car history check works in Australia
A car history check tells you whether a used vehicle carries hidden risk before you buy: money owed on it, a written-off or stolen record, or odometer and registration discrepancies. The national source of finance and write-off data is the government PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register), which replaced the old state REVS and VCheck systems in 2012.
PPSR vs “free” car history checks
A paid PPSR certificate is the only report that legally confirms whether there is finance owing and gives you written protection if the register is wrong. Free checks are useful for a first look (recalls, basic registration status, sometimes written-off flags) but they do not include the encumbrance guarantee. For a purchase decision, use both: a free check to screen, a PPSR certificate before you hand over money. See Is a free car history check real?
What a full report should show
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Money owing (encumbrance) | If the seller still owes finance, the lender can repossess the car after you buy it |
| Written-off / stolen | Insurance write-offs and stolen records affect safety, resale and insurability |
| Odometer / registration | Mismatches can indicate tampering or an undisclosed history |
| Make/model verification | Confirms the VIN matches the car and the seller’s description |
Check by state
The PPSR is national, but registration and transfer rules differ by state. See our state guides: Car history check QLD and Car history check NSW.
Before you buy: pair it with an inspection
A history check covers the paperwork; a pre-purchase inspection covers the mechanical condition. Do both, then work out what the car is really worth.
Car history check FAQs
How much does a car history check cost? A government PPSR certificate is a small fixed fee (a few dollars); bundled reports that add valuation and recall data cost more. Free checks cover the basics only.
What do I need to run a check? Usually the VIN (or sometimes the rego plate and state). The VIN gives the most complete result.
Is a free car history check enough? For screening, yes; for the final buying decision, no. Only a PPSR certificate confirms finance owing and carries protection.
Does a check tell me if the car was in an accident? It shows insurance write-offs, not every minor accident. Combine it with an inspection.
Can I check a car that is interstate? Yes. The PPSR is national, so you can check a vehicle in any state before buying.
This is general information only and not financial or legal advice. Car Buyers Assist helps you find and compare services; always verify details against the official PPSR before purchasing.
Check by state: Car history check VIC · Rego check QLD
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Free state rego checks: Rego check NSW · Rego check QLD · Rego check VIC · Rego check WA | State history checks: VIC · NSW · QLD