Buying a used car in Australia? Protect yourself from inheriting someone else's debt. Learn how to check if a vehicle has money owing before you buy.
✓ Instant results • ✓ Official PPSR data • ✓ Only $5.99
When someone buys a car on finance (like a car loan or lease), the lender registers a security interest on the vehicle. This means the car is used as collateral for the loan.
If the seller hasn't paid off their loan, the car still has "finance owing" or "money owing" on it – and that debt stays with the car, not the person!
If you buy a car with money owing on it:
Sarah bought a 2020 Toyota Camry for $28,000 from a private seller. The seller seemed genuine and had all the paperwork. Two months later, a finance company knocked on her door and repossessed the car – there was still $15,000 owing on it!
The Result:
💡 A $5.99 PPSR check would have saved her $28,000
The VIN is a 17-character code unique to every vehicle. You can find it:
Use the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) – Australia's official government database for checking finance and encumbrances.
✓ PPSR Check Includes:
Your PPSR report will clearly show:
If finance is owing, do NOT proceed with the purchase unless the seller can prove the debt has been cleared. Ask them to pay off the loan first and get written confirmation from the lender.
Protect yourself from buying a car with hidden debts. A PPSR check gives you official documentation.
For just $5.99, avoid losing thousands of dollars (or the entire vehicle) to repossession.
Get your PPSR report in seconds, not days. Check the car on the spot before handing over money.
PPSR is Australia's official government register, giving you accurate and legally-recognized data.
Protect yourself from buying a car with hidden debt. Get an instant PPSR report for just $5.99.
Check Any Vehicle Now – $5.99 →✓ Instant results ✓ Finance status ✓ Stolen check ✓ Write-off history
The finance company can legally repossess the car from you, even if you purchased it in good faith. You'll lose both the car and your money, with very limited legal recourse.
It's not legally required, but it's highly recommended. If you don't check and buy a car with finance owing, you have no protection under the law.
Yes, sellers can lie (intentionally or not). That's why you should always do your own independent PPSR check – don't just take the seller's word for it.
Our PPSR checks cost just $5.99 and include finance owing, stolen status, write-off history, and more. It's delivered instantly via email as a PDF.
No, official PPSR data from the Australian Government comes with a small fee. Beware of "free" checks – they often lack critical information and aren't legally recognized.
Walk away from the deal, or ask the seller to pay off the loan first. Get written confirmation from the lender that the debt is cleared, then run another PPSR check to verify.