Before you hand over money for a used car in Victoria, two checks matter most: the national PPSR check (does anyone else have a financial claim on the car, and has it been written off or stolen?) and the Victorian registration checks through VicRoads. Together they tell you whether the car is legally clear to buy and roughly matches its history. Here is how to run each one, what it shows, and where the free checks stop.
Start with the PPSR check (national, covers Victorian cars)
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is the national register that replaced the old REVS check in 2012. For a small fee you get a PPSR certificate using the car VIN (17-character vehicle identification number). It is the single most important check because it reveals a money-owing (security interest) — if the previous owner still owes finance, the financier can repossess the car even after you have paid for it.
A PPSR certificate shows:
| The PPSR certificate shows | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Security interest (money owing) | The car could be repossessed if finance is not cleared |
| Written-off status | Flags statutory or repairable write-offs |
| Stolen status | Flags a vehicle reported stolen |
| Registration snapshot | Basic vehicle details tied to the VIN |
Run the PPSR check with the VIN, not just the plate, and do it as close as possible to purchase — a certificate is a point-in-time snapshot. See our guide on whether a free car history check is real for what the paid certificate covers that free tools do not.
Then the Victorian registration checks (VicRoads)
VicRoads provides a free registration check using the plate number, which confirms whether the car is currently registered in Victoria and when rego expires. Victoria also maintains the Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) — a repairable write-off can be re-registered but must pass an identity inspection, and a statutory write-off generally cannot return to the road. Confirm the rego status, expiry, and any write-off flag before you buy.
Note: a free rego check confirms registration; it does not show money owing. Only the PPSR certificate does that — which is why you run both.
Free checks vs a paid certificate
- Free (VicRoads rego check): current registration status and expiry. Useful, but limited.
- Paid (PPSR certificate): money owing, written-off and stolen status tied to the VIN — the checks that protect your money.
If a listing offers a free full history check, treat it with caution: the protection you actually need (the security-interest check) comes from the official PPSR certificate.
A quick VIC buyer checklist
- Get the VIN and the plate from the seller.
- Run the PPSR certificate (VIN) — check money owing, write-off, stolen.
- Run the VicRoads rego check (plate) — status, expiry, WOVR flag.
- Match the VIN on the car, the papers and the certificate.
- Pair it with a physical used-car inspection before you pay.
Buying interstate or comparing states? See our car history check QLD and car history check NSW guides, or the national car history check hub.
Protect your money before you buy — start with the national car history check guide, then book a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How do I do a car history check in Victoria?
Run two checks: the national PPSR certificate using the car VIN (shows money owing, written-off and stolen status), and the free VicRoads registration check using the plate (shows rego status and expiry). Use both — the rego check does not show finance owing.
Is REVS still used in Victoria?
No. REVS was replaced nationally by the PPSR in 2012. A PPSR certificate is the current equivalent and covers Victorian vehicles.
Is a VicRoads rego check the same as a history check?
No. The VicRoads check confirms registration and expiry only. It does not reveal a security interest (money owing) — for that you need the paid PPSR certificate.
What does a PPSR check cost?
It is a small government fee per certificate. It is the check that matters most because it reveals whether finance is still owing on the car, which could lead to repossession after you buy.
Can a written-off car be registered in Victoria?
A repairable write-off can be re-registered after passing the required identity and inspection process; a statutory write-off generally cannot return to the road. Victoria Written-Off Vehicle Register flags both — check it before buying.
This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or credit advice. Registration and write-off processes are administered by VicRoads and the national PPSR; confirm current fees and requirements with the official registers before purchasing.
Written by the team at Car Buyers Assist.
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