Found the car you want, but it’s in another state? That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the story. Plenty of Aussies buy across borders, and looking further afield can mean more choice and sometimes a better price.
The catch is that the sticker price isn’t the whole story. There’s a range of potential costs involved with buying a car interstate, from having it inspected to registering it in your own state. Since you can’t kick the tyres yourself, it’s also worth being a bit more careful about the car’s history and how you pay.
Can I buy a car interstate?
Yes, you can buy a car from any other state or territory in Australia, whether from a dealer or a private seller. The basic process is much the same as buying locally, but there are extra steps for checking the car without seeing it, getting it home and registering it in your own state.
How do I buy a car from another state or territory?
Step 1: Find your car
- Search online marketplaces: filter by state, make, model, year and budget to see what’s out there.
- Check the seller: look at their history and reviews where available. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Consider a car broker: the best car brokers have dealer contacts across Australia. Savvy’s in-house car broking service, Vehicles Direct, has a nationwide network of dealer partners.
- Ask dealerships: dealerships can often arrange for interstate stock to be purchased and delivered to your city or town.
Step 2: Do your research
- Check market value: use online valuation tools or an independent mechanic’s appraisal to see what a fair price looks like.
- Run a PPSR search: use the car’s VIN to search the Personal Property Securities Register. It shows whether a security interest is registered on the car, meaning it may have money owing and could be repossessed even after you’ve paid. It also shows whether the car is recorded as written off or stolen. It doesn’t show how much is owing, the car’s ownership history, its odometer reading or outstanding fines.
- Get a vehicle history report: for a used car, this can reveal past accidents, registration details and odometer readings.
- Book a pre-purchase inspection: since you probably can’t see the car yourself, have a qualified mechanic in the seller’s state inspect it. Ask the seller for extra photos or a video call too, so you know the car is real and matches the listing.
Step 3: Finalise the purchase
- Negotiate the price: once you have all the information you need, you can work towards agreeing on an appropriate price with the seller. If the inspection or history check turns up problems you’re happy to work around, this may help you drive the price down.
- Check the rules in the seller’s state: consumer protections such as cooling-off periods can differ between states and territories, so confirm what applies before you sign.
- Sort out your finance: if you’re financing the car, arrange pre-approval before you commit.
- Pay securely: avoid payment methods that are hard to trace or reverse, such as wire transfers, and get a signed contract or receipt before any money changes hands.
Step 4: Get your car home
- Choose how it travels: you can drive it yourself, ask someone to drive it for you, hire a transport company or (if buying from a dealer) have them deliver it. Each has different costs, so get quotes before you buy.
- Check the registration: ask the seller to keep the car registered until you’ve collected it, as they can cancel it at any time. If the registration has been cancelled or has expired, you’ll need an unregistered vehicle permit from the transport authority in the state the car is in before you can drive it home.
- Get covered: check that your car insurance covers the trip if you’re driving it home. If it’s being transported, make sure the carrier’s insurance or transit cover applies.
Step 5: Register your new vehicle
- Register it in your home state: you’ll need to transfer the registration into your state, which can involve an inspection, stamp duty and new number plates. The requirements for each state and territory are set out in the table below.
How much does it cost to buy a car interstate?
Buying interstate typically adds several hundred dollars on top of the sticker price for an inspection and transport, before you register the car in your home state. Here are the main costs to budget for:
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PPSR search | $2 | Per vehicle, searched by VIN |
| Pre-purchase inspection | $135 to $584 | Prices cover a range of services and are based on mechanical and comprehensive inspections from NRMA, RACQ, RAC, RAA and RACT. Done in the seller’s state. EV inspections cost more |
| Car transport | $0.45 to $0.70 per km on average between capital cities | Approximately $392 to $610 between Sydney and Melbourne, $413 to $642 between Sydney and Brisbane, $1,769 to $2,752 between Sydney and Perth, according to Airtasker |
| Figures are illustrative and exclude fees such as booking or call-out charges. Prices and rates are not guaranteed and may change. | ||
What does it add up to?
Mia lives in Sydney and finds a used car she likes in Brisbane. She pays $2 for a PPSR search and $340 for a mechanical inspection through RACQ as a non-member. The quote she receives for transport back to Sydney is $600. That’s $942 on top of the purchase price, before registration, stamp duty and number plates in her home state.
Vehicle registration transfer cost by state or territory
Each state and territory sets its own inspection, registration and motor vehicle duty requirements and costs. Registration fees and motor vehicle duty apply to the state you’re registering the vehicle in. Here’s what to expect in each state or territory:
What paperwork will I have to fill out?
The exact forms depend on the state or territory you’re registering in, but you’ll typically need:
- A registration application: the form to register the car in your home state. For instance, it’s the Application for registration and compulsory third party insurance in SA and Form VL17 in WA.
- An inspection certificate: a roadworthy certificate, safety certificate, identity inspection certificate or Certificate of Inspection, depending on where you live.
- Proof of identity: your driver licence or other identity documents.
- Proof of purchase or ownership: such as a contract of sale or receipt of sale.
- Your interstate number plates and a surrender receipt: some states require you to hand the old plates in. The receipt can be used to claim a refund of any unused registration from the state the car came from.
Some states add their own requirements on top of these. In WA, for example, you have to apply in person and a third party can’t apply for you. If your ownership documents are incomplete, you may also need a Declaration of Vehicle Ownership (Form VL50), which can delay licensing by up to 21 days.
Do I need an unregistered vehicle permit when buying my car interstate?
It depends on whether the car is registered and displaying plates. You’ll typically need an unregistered vehicle permit if it isn’t. If the seller has kept the registration current, you can usually drive the car home, but they can cancel it at any time.
If you’re having your car shipped by a freight company, it should be covered by their insurance while in transit, but you’ll need to have a permit in your state to allow you to drive it straight to the required registration office to get it registered and plated.
On the other hand, if you’re going interstate to pick up the car and are driving it back home, you may need to get a permit from the state you’re buying from to cover the length of your trip. Be sure to double-check the rules in your state or territory to ensure you’ll be adequately covered by your permit.
Will I have to change my car’s number plates when I register it in my state or territory?
Yes, when you register the car in your home state or territory, you’ll be issued plates for that state and the interstate plates come off the car. Whether you can keep the old ones depends on the state or territory the car came from, and it usually only applies to special plates. Here’s the breakdown of what can be kept and what can be surrendered:
| Vehicle origin | Standard plates | Personalised/custom plates |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Yes | Yes |
| NSW | No | Yes |
| NT | Yes | Yes |
| QLD | No | Yes |
| SA | No | Yes |
| TAS | No | Yes |
| VIC | No | Yes |
| WA | No | No |
Pros and cons of buying a car interstate
Pros
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More choice
Searching across states widens your options, which improves your chances of finding the make, model, spec and colour you want.
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Potential cost savings
Prices for the same car can differ between states because of supply and demand. However, the savings should be bigger than the extra costs, including registration fees and stamp duty.
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Opportunity for a road trip
If you collect the car yourself, the purchase can double as a trip with family or friends.
Cons
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Extra costs
Inspections, transport or travel and registration in your home state all add to the sticker price, so a cheaper car doesn’t always mean a cheaper purchase.
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Harder to inspect
You usually can’t look the car over yourself, so you’ll rely on a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history check. If you can’t get an inspection booked, that’s a risk worth taking seriously.
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Higher risk of scams
It’s easier for a dodgy seller to take advantage of a buyer who isn’t there in person. Verify the seller and the car before you pay, and avoid payment methods that are hard to trace or reverse.
Tips for interstate car purchases
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Compare the total cost, not the sticker price
Add the inspection, transport and registration costs to the asking price, then compare the total with similar cars in your area. An interstate car is only a bargain if it’s still cheaper after the extras.
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Ask a local dealer to match the price
If you’ve found a good price at an interstate dealer, give your local dealer the chance to match it, particularly for a new car. It can save you the cost and hassle of transport.
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Get an insurance quote before you buy
A quote based on the car’s make, model and year shows what it will cost to insure, and checking your cover early means you won’t be caught out when you drive it home.
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Keep a paper trail
Hold onto the contract, receipts, inspection report, PPSR search results and any messages with the seller. They’re useful if something goes wrong or you need to prove ownership.
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Be wary of cars sold after a natural disaster
Cars sold in the aftermath of a flood, cyclone or bushfire can hide damage. Treat a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report as essential.
