Second hand cars can offer great value for money, which could be why they’re such a popular choice. Across Australia, more than 2.3 million used cars changed hands in 2025 alone.1
But if you’re in the market for a set of pre-loved wheels, how can you be sure that the vehicle that’s caught your eye is really as perfect as it seems?
Luckily, for less than the price of a coffee, there’s a quick and easy car check that can reveal risks not detectable during a test drive or by peeking under the hood. It’s called a personal property securities register (PPSR) check. And without one, you might run into some unwelcome surprises down the road, from difficulties getting car insurance2 to repossession of your new ride.3
So, exactly what is a PPSR check, how do you get one, and how much will it cost?
Here’s what experts from two leading automotive bodies want you to know about PPSR car checks; plus, we’ll also go into some other important car history checks you may wish to consider before you part with your hard-earned funds to buy that used car.
What is a personal property securities register (PPSR) check?
PPSR stands for the Personal Property Securities Register. An official Australian Government-run register, it records security interests in personal property – in other words, debts or other obligations secured by things such as cars, boats and company assets.4
But what is the Personal Property Securities Register actually able to tell you about a used car?
“A PPSR check helps ensure you’re getting a clear title to the vehicle you're buying,” says Michael McKenna, Director of Industry and State Affairs at the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA).
“It can identify whether a vehicle has money owing on it, has been reported stolen, or has been recorded as a repairable or statutory write-off.”
Why do a PPSR check before you buy a used car?
“A PPSR check is one of the cheapest and most important safeguards a used car buyer can take,” explains The Hon Bruce Billson, Executive Director of the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA).
“Skipping the check can be a costly gamble.”
Billson adds that checking a car’s PPSR registration is particularly important when buying a car from a private seller, as cars sold privately have far fewer legal protections than those sold by licensed motor dealers or franchised dealerships. For example, private sales aren’t covered by used car warranties or cooling-off periods.
“That’s precisely why a PPSR check matters most in private sales: You’re carrying risks a dealer would otherwise carry for you,” he notes.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the risks a PPSR report can help you identify – and what those risks could mean once you become the new owner of a second hand car.
There’s money owing on your car
A PPSR car report can tell you if a car you’re interested in has outstanding finance3 or any debts owing on it.5
If you buy a car with outstanding debt, you could become legally liable for the debt – but that’s not the only risk.
“Purchasing a vehicle with money still owing on it means the financier may have the right to repossess the vehicle to recover the debt,” warns McKenna.
The car has been reported as stolen
As established, a PPSR check can also tell you if a car has been stolen.3 Buying a stolen car could leave you seriously out of pocket, even if you didn’t know it was stolen when you bought it.6
“The car can be seized by police and returned to its rightful owner, again with no compensation to you,” says Billson.
However, do bear in mind that if you live in Tasmania, the PPSR doesn’t list stolen vehicle information for Tasmanian vehicles. You can find this information by doing a car registration check on the Transport Tasmania website.6
The car has been recorded as a write-off
Finally, a PPSR car report can tell you if a car has been written off.3 A write-off is a damaged vehicle that’s not economical or safe to repair.7
Buying a written-off car could also prove to be costly, says Billson.
“You may unknowingly buy a vehicle with a compromised safety history, worth far less than you paid, and difficult to insure, register or resell,” he explains.
The PPSR report will also list if the write-off is statutory or repairable. For context, a statutory write-off is irreparable and a total loss, and cannot be registered in any Australian state or territory.7 Meanwhile, a repairable write-off could theoretically be re-registered and insured if repaired to a high standard and if it passes the relevant inspections and certifications, which can vary around the country.
What exactly does a PPSR check show?
When you do a PPSR search, you’ll receive a digital certificate, which you can save as a PDF or have emailed to you.8 This certificate will contain information about the vehicle, including:3
- Make, model and colour
- Written-off status
- Stolen status (excluding in Tasmania)
- Security interests, such as debts owing or outstanding finance.3
Billson also recommends keeping a copy of your PPSR report, in case you need it in the future.
“Importantly, the certificate is proof of what was recorded at the moment you searched, so it’s worth keeping as a record of your due diligence,” he says.
For example, if someone later attempts to repossess your vehicle, your car PPSR certificate can be used to prove that the vehicle was free of financial burdens when you purchased it.9
How much does a PPSR car history check cost?
As of July 2026, the cost of a PPSR car history check on the official government register is $2 if you do it yourself online at ppsr.gov.au, while it’s $7 if you do it by phone.3
“Plenty of third-party websites offer the same underlying check for anywhere from $15 to $50. They simply bundle extra data such as odometer and accident history into a nicer-looking report,” adds Billson.
“There’s nothing wrong with paying for a comprehensive report if you want that added history but for the core check, the official site is the cheapest and most reliable source.”
Billson also warns consumers to be wary of anyone advertising a free PPSR check.
“There’s no genuinely free official option,” he says.
How long does a PPSR check take?
So, you want to move quickly before someone else snaps up your dream used car? Not a problem. A PPSR car check typically only takes a couple of minutes to complete, says Billson. Here’s how to do a PPSR check online.
- Step 1: Visit the PPSR website.
- Step 2: Follow the prompts to do a car search.
- Step 3: Enter the vehicle’s VIN or chassis number.3 This is a unique 17-character code that’s usually stamped or etched onto the vehicle under the windscreen, inside the driver’s door or on the chassis.9
- Step 4: Pay your $2 fee.3
You can access a digital copy of your certificate at a later date for free.8
Here’s how to do a PPSR check by phone.
- Step 1: Call 1300 007 777.
- Step 2: When prompted, provide the vehicle’s VIN or chassis number and your email address.
- Step 3: Pay your $7 fee by credit or debit card.3
What’s the difference between a PPSR check and a REVS check?
If you’ve heard the term “REVS checks” before, you might be wondering if it’s another pre-purchase precaution you should tick off. Not so.
“REVS checks were the old state-based Registers of Encumbered Vehicles,” explains McKenna. Previously, state registration bodies such as VicRoads would provide security data to consumers, until they migrated to the nationally run PPSR in 2012, he says.
“Many people still say ‘REVS check’ out of habit, but the search they’re describing is now done through the PPSR,” adds Billson.
“So, if someone tells you to do a REVS check, a PPSR search is exactly what they mean.”
Do I need a PPSR report on a used car to get insurance?
While insurers can differ,10 you probably won’t be asked to provide a vehicle PPSR when you take out car insurance. However, not doing a PPSR car search could still impact your insurance.
For example, if you buy a car that’s been written off, you may not be able to get it insured.11 Even if it’s a repaired write-off, some insurers may not offer you full cover.11
On the other hand, if you buy a car that has outstanding finance and later have to make a claim, your insurer may pay your claim to the company that has the registered interest on your car before they pay any remaining balance to you.
What other car checks should I consider before buying a used car?
A PPSR check can be a great start. But there are some additional checks that may help you spot potential issues before they become your problem, including:
- A registration check – Tells you if a car is currently registered and covered by CTP insurance.12
- A car history check – A broader, more detailed report into a car’s financial and mechanical history. Sometimes includes a PPSR check. You may be able to purchase a car history check from a government agency or a private provider, depending on where you live.12
- Service history check – Reading the logbook will verify if the car has received regular services.12
- Odometer check – Odometer tampering is a common car sales scam. To help avoid it, you can compare the car’s odometer reading to the logbook recordings, check if your state or territory has an online odometer tool, or ask a professional to independently inspect the vehicle for signs of odometer tampering.13
Billson also recommends obtaining an independent pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic.
“This is the single best way to uncover mechanical or accident-related problems before you commit,” he says.
Finally, McKenna says that if a deal seems significantly cheaper than comparable vehicles on the market, it’s worth exercising extra caution.
“As the saying goes: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Comparing insurance options to go with your new ride? Consider checking out Youi’s car insurance options to see if one’s the right fit for you or start a quote today.
1 Source: Australian Automotive Dealer Association – Annual 2025 – Automotive Insights Report (AIR), n.d.
2 Source: WA Government Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Buying a car: a buyer’s checklist, June 2024
3 Source: Personal Properties Security Register – Do a used car or vehicle search, n.d.
4 Source: Personal Properties Security Register – About the PPSR, n.d.
5 Source: Moneysmart – Buying and running a car, July 2026
6 Source: Personal Properties Security Register – Noah’s stolen vehicle, n.d.
7 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Written-off vehicles, August 2025
8 Source: Personal Properties Security Register – Understand your car search result, n.d.
9 Source: Canstar – What is a car’s VIN and where do I find it?, April 2025
10 Source: Financial Rights Legal Centre – Buying Car Insurance, June 2026
11 Source: Personal Properties Security Register – Yosef’s repairable write-off, n.d.
12 Source: WA Government Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Car buyer’s checklist, November 2024
13 Source: Drive – Odometer tampering is on the rise – here’s how to check for it, February 2024
