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.