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- Don't get
ripped-off
- when buying a second-hand
- car privately
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Buy
a second-hand car privately that has money owing on it, and you
could end up with the car being repossessed - and you won't get your
money back. It's the law.
REVS
is a free service provided by the NSW
Office of Fair Trading which can tell you if
the car you're thinking of buying is carrying a debt, and could be
repossessed.
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Just do
a REVS search and in minutes you'll know
if the
car you're thinking of buying
privately
has money owing on it
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What
you need before you do a REVS search
From the vehicle, get the Registration
Number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number and
Engine number. You can usually find the engine number on the engine
block and the VIN number on the chassis. If you have problems
finding these numbers on a car, just ask at a service station
workshop, or check with the manufacturer.
Before
you search REVS, check that all these numbers match the ones on the
registration papers. The same applies for motorbikes. However, for
trailers and caravans, just get the registration and VIN/chassis
numbers. REVS cannot do a check on the Registration number only.
Ask
for proof in writing
If REVS gives the vehicle the OK, you can
get a Search Certificate which gives you conditional legal protection
against repossession due to the previous owner's unpaid debt.
What's
free and what's not?
A Search Certificate costs only $13.80,
and protects you provided you finalise the purchase by midnight of the following
day. The Search Certificate will protect you for as long as you own
the vehicle.
SEVEN
EASY STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN YOU BUY A CAR PRIVATELY
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Ask if
any money is owing on the vehicle.
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Get
the Rego no., engine no., and vehicle ID no. (VIN) or chassis no.
from the vehicle.
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Confirm
rego no., engine no. and VIN/Chassis numbers on the vehicle match those
on the registration papers.
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Do a vehicle search on this website with these numbers.
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Phone REVS to purchase a REVS Search Certificate to guard against repossession.
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Complete transaction before midnight the next day.
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Arrange for current owner to repay the debt, if one exists. REVS can
tell you how to do this.
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REVS
can also tell you if the vehicle is reported to the
Police
as stolen,
de-registered due to unpaid traffic fines or is recorded
with the RTA as a write-off or a vehicle of interest.
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REVS
does not guarantee Police or RTA
information
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