Buying a car from a private seller may be cheaper than buying from a licensed dealer, but it offers less legal protection.
Before you buy
1) Arrange your finance first
Arrange your finance before you go shopping. A pre-approved loan is like buying with cash – money talks. Once you find the car you want, it is more likely that you can secure the best price. For hassle-free affordable finance call Blink Finance on 1300 827 848 or APPLY NOW.
2) Get a PPSR check
Before you hand over your hard earned cash, make sure you get a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). This will reveal if your vehicle is debt-free and safe from repossession. While a Licensed Motor Trader (LMT) must guarantee clear title of a vehicle in thier caryard, a private seller does not. So the implications of not getting a full background check before you buy privately could leave you feeling ripped off and even sometimes car-less.
As a Blink customer, we will conduct a complimentary PPSR and vehicle history check (valued at $36.95) for you to help ensure your next purchase is the right one!
3) Bring someone along who knows a bit about cars
If you don’t trust your own knowledge, bring along someone who knows what they’re doing. You could also get a vehicle inspection that will provide a comprehensive report on the condition of the car, as well as any repairs that may be required in the near future. Blink customer’s benefit from a compimentary finance inspection. This verification process captures critical details such as Make, Model, VIN & Serial Numbers as well as digital photographs to provide further detail.
4) Take the car for a test drive
Make sure you take the car for a decent test drive over a range of different road conditions and speeds to ensure it drives and feels right. Before test-driving any car, know who is liable if any accident or incident were to occur during the test drive. If you have to take financial responsibility you will need to decide if you’re preared to accept the risk. If a private seller refuses to let you test drive a car, walk away. There are plenty of cars on the market and it simply isn’t worth the risk.
5) Check the service history
If you can find a car that has a complete service history with it, then you’ll have a better idea what it’s been through and what work has been done. But regardless of the service history getting a full vehicle inspection before purchasing will help identify any underlying issues or big expenses that might be just around the corner.
6) Are there any illegal modifications?
It can be extremely difficult to identify illegal modifications so the best bet is to ensure you have a Vehicle Inspection done on any vehcile you are keen to buy. You could be fined if your car has illegal modifications, the car could be impounded, and it could affect your ability to insure the car.
7) Consider insurance costs and get insured
Do some research and ensure you know how much your insurance is going to cost. Sometimes that sportscar you thought you always wanted comes with a high insurance premium!
Before you drive away in your new set of wheels, make sure you’re insured. Blink finance has partnered with premium insurers to offer an extensive selection of Insurance Products to give you peace of mind in the case of an unexpected event. Contact us for an obligation free quote.
8) Consider purchasing a warranty
If you buy a car privately, it is most likely you will not get a warranty. A warranty will protect you from losing money if the vehicle is faulty. Blink Finance is an approved Selling Agent for the leading provider of extended warranties throughout Australia. We can assist in providing you a quality extended vehicle warranty product to suit your coverage requirements and budget, allowing you to choose the level of protection that best protects you against costly repairs.
9) Negotiate, negotiate negotiate
It is most likely that you have chosen to buy privately to try and get more for your money. Once you have checked the vehicle out and taken it for a test drive, consider how much more you need to spend on it (e.g. window tints, car seat covers, floor matts, new exhaust etc.). Take this off the purchase price and compare it to what else is out there on the market. We also recommend customers to check out Redbook as a pricing guide. Even consider involving a third party like Blink Finance with your purchase. We are here to help every step of the way to make your car buying experience a memorable one.
10) Do your paperwork
If you are buying privately, you’ll need to submit the following documents to the necessary Department of Transport and Main Roads in your state within 14 days of purchase:
- Vehicle Transfer Form
- Safety Certificate
- Vehicle registration duty and transfer fee (determined by your car’s fuel type and number of cylinders)