A PPSR check tells you whether a used car has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, before you hand over a cent. The PPSR — the Personal Property Securities Register — is the Australian Government’s official register of security interests over vehicles and other property. Running a check is the single most important step between finding a car and paying for it.
This guide explains what a PPSR check shows, what it costs, how to do one, and how it’s different from a free rego check. It sits alongside our fuller car history check guide.
What a PPSR check shows
A PPSR certificate, run against the car’s VIN, tells you:
- Money owing (security interest) — whether a lender or finance company has a registered interest in the car. If it’s under finance and you buy it, the financier can repossess it even after you’ve paid the seller.
- Written-off status — whether the vehicle is recorded as a statutory or repairable write-off.
- Stolen status — whether it’s been reported stolen to police.
- Registration and identification details — to confirm the VIN, make and description match the car in front of you.
PPSR check vs free rego check — what’s the difference?
| Free state rego check | PPSR check | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Your state/territory road authority | Australian Government (PPSR / AFSA) |
| Cost | Free | A small fee (a few dollars per certificate) |
| Shows money owing? | No | Yes |
| Shows national write-off / stolen records? | Limited / state-based | Yes, nationally |
| Shows rego status & expiry? | Yes | Confirms identification details |
In short: a free rego check confirms registration status, but only a PPSR check confirms whether there’s finance owing and pulls national write-off and stolen records. Use both.
How to run a PPSR check
- Get the car’s VIN (17 characters) — from the windscreen, door jamb, compliance plate or the seller.
- Go to the official register at ppsr.gov.au (or a reputable provider that draws from it) and search by VIN.
- Pay the small fee and download your certificate.
- Check the results against the car and the seller’s story before you pay.
Beware “free PPSR check” claims — the official register charges a small fee per certificate. A genuinely free tool is usually a rego or teaser check, not a full PPSR certificate.
Do this before you buy — the safe order
- Confirm the VIN matches the car.
- Run a PPSR check for money owing, write-off and stolen status.
- Run a free rego check for registration status and expiry.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection.
- Only then negotiate and pay — never before the checks clear.
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Related guides
Car history check (full guide) · Written-off car check · Car history check NSW · Car history check VIC · Is a free car history check real? · How to inspect a used car.
PPSR check — FAQs
Is a PPSR check free?
No. The official PPSR charges a small fee (a few dollars) per certificate. Tools advertised as “free PPSR checks” are usually rego or teaser checks, not a full PPSR certificate.
What do I need to run a PPSR check?
The vehicle’s VIN (17 characters). You can find it on the windscreen, door jamb, compliance plate or by asking the seller. You search the register by VIN.
What happens if I buy a car with money owing?
If a car has a registered security interest and you buy it, the financier can repossess it — even after you’ve paid the seller. A PPSR check before purchase protects you from this.
Does a PPSR check show if a car is written off or stolen?
Yes. A PPSR certificate includes national written-off vehicle records and stolen-status information, alongside any security interest (money owing).
Is a PPSR check the same as a rego check?
No. A free rego check confirms registration status and expiry with your state road authority. A PPSR check is the national government register that also shows money owing and national write-off/stolen records. Use both before buying.
Written by the team at Car Buyers Assist. This information is general in nature and does not take account of your personal circumstances. Always run your own checks via the official PPSR and your state road authority before buying a vehicle.