Buying a car

When buying a used car in Victoria, there a several ways that you can do this including:

• —Buying from a licensed motor car trader
• —Buying from a private seller
• —Buying at auction

Buying from a licensed motor car trader

Advantages include:

• —Offers you the most protection
• —Cooling off period (3 business days)
• —Warranty – three months/5,000 km if the car is not more than 10 years old and has travelled less than 160,000 kilometres
• —Trader must provide clear title

Disadvantages might be:

• —Can be more expensive
• —Be wary of high trade-in offers – the price of the car you are buying may be increased to cover the difference

Buying privately

Advantage might be:

• —Can be less expensive

Disadvantages are:

• —There is no cooling-off period
• —The car is not covered by a statutory warranty
• —It is your responsibility to check that the car is not stolen, has money owing on it, or is on the written-off vehicles register.

Buying at auction

Advantages are:

• —Auction house must prove clear title
• —May get a really good purchase price

Disadvantages are:

• —Unable to test drive
• —Little or no time to check car’s background
• —Rarely able to have inspection carried out
• —No cooling off period
• —No statutory warranty
• —No roadworthy certificate