Whether you're buying or selling privately in New South Wales, the process is straightforward if you tick things off in the right order. Work through this checklist and you'll avoid the common traps.
Buyer checklist: before you inspect
- Run a free registration check on the Service NSW website to confirm rego status, expiry and CTP details.
- Run a PPSR check (a couple of dollars) for finance owing, stolen status and written-off history.
- Research the market price for the exact model, year and kilometres so a deal that's too good to be true stands out.
At the inspection
- View the car in daylight at the seller's home address — it should match the registration papers.
- Check the VIN on the vehicle matches the papers, and the seller's ID matches the registered operator.
- Look for signs of accident repair, flood damage and odometer tampering; confirm service history, logbooks and spare keys.
- Test drive it, and book an independent pre-purchase inspection for anything you're serious about.
Doing the deal (buyer)
- Pay by bank transfer or PayID rather than carrying cash; get a signed receipt with both parties' names and addresses, the rego, VIN, price and date.
- Arrange insurance from the moment you drive away.
- Transfer the registration within 14 days through Service NSW and pay the motor vehicle duty.
- Note when rego next falls due — in NSW you'll need a green slip (CTP) and, for most vehicles more than five years old, an eSafety (pink slip) inspection at renewal.
Seller checklist: getting ready
- Gather the registration papers, service books and receipts; if there's finance on the car, get a payout letter from the lender.
- Clean the car properly and photograph it in good light; write an honest ad — condition issues disclosed up front save wasted inspections.
Meeting buyers and getting paid
- Meet at your home or a busy public place, and have someone with you.
- Sight the buyer's licence before any test drive, and go along for the ride.
- Only hand over the keys once funds have fully cleared in your account — not on a transfer receipt or screenshot.
- Provide a signed receipt and keep a copy.
After the sale (seller)
- Submit a Notice of Disposal to Transport for NSW (online via Service NSW) as soon as the car is sold — this is what protects you from the new owner's tolls, fines and demerit liability.
- Remove your toll tag, delete paired phones and saved addresses from the car, and take any garage remotes.
- Cancel or transfer your comprehensive insurance.
Buyers have 14 days to transfer in NSW, but sellers shouldn't wait on them — lodge the Notice of Disposal the same day.