Buying or Selling a Car in South Australia: The Complete Checklist

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South Australia runs one of the country's simpler private sale processes — no roadworthy certificate for a standard sale, and the whole transfer handled online through EzyReg. Simple for the paperwork; the diligence is on you.

Buyer checklist: before you inspect

Run a free rego check via EzyReg for status and expiry.
Run a PPSR check for finance owing, stolen status and write-off history.
With no inspection requirement in SA private sales, plan on an independent pre-purchase inspection for anything you're serious about — it's the only professional eye the car will get.

At the inspection

View in daylight at the address on the registration papers.
Match the VIN on the vehicle to the papers, and the seller's licence to the registered operator.
Check for defect notices, accident repair tells, flood staining and odometer consistency against the service books; confirm spare keys.
Test drive properly — cold start if you can arrange it, highway speed, hard stop.

Doing the deal (buyer)

Pay by bank transfer or PayID; get a signed receipt with names, addresses, rego, VIN, price and date.
Insure it from the moment you drive away.
Complete the transfer within 14 days via EzyReg and pay the stamp duty.

Seller checklist: getting ready

Gather registration papers, service history and receipts; get a payout letter if finance is owing.
Clean it, photograph it in good light, write an honest ad — with no RWC in the process, transparent condition notes are what separate serious sellers from tyre-kicker magnets.

Meeting buyers and getting paid

Meet at home or a busy public spot, with someone around.
Sight the buyer's licence before a test drive and ride along.
Release the car only when funds have fully cleared in your account.
Receipt in duplicate, both signatures.

After the sale (seller)

Lodge the notice of disposal via EzyReg immediately — same day. Until it's lodged, the new owner's fines, tolls and demerits point at you.
Remove any toll tags and linked accounts; wipe paired phones, saved addresses and garage remotes from the car.
Cancel or transfer your insurance.

SA's process is fast when both sides use EzyReg on day one: buyer transfers, seller lodges disposal, done. The 14-day windows are maximums, not targets.