Car news & guides

Rouse Hill Cars & Coffee — Sydney, September 2026

Rouse Hill Cars & Coffee meets at Supercheap Auto Rouse Hill on Saturday 19 September 2026 from 6:15am — free display entry for pre-1992 classics, muscle, hot rods, supercars and bikes.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Supercars and Coffee 2026 — Fox Classic Car Collection, Melbourne

Supercars and Coffee gathers classics and modern supercars at the Fox Classic Car Collection, Docklands, on Sunday 13 September 2026 from 9am–1pm — free to browse, charity fundraiser.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Porsche 356 Parade Weekend 2026 — Victoria

Three days of Porsche 356 activities across Victoria from 27–29 November 2026 — the annual Porsche 356 Parade weekend, drawing classic 356 owners from around Australia.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 2026 — Sydney Motorsport Park

One-make Porsche racing hits Sydney Motorsport Park on 18–20 September 2026 — the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge joins the Shannons SpeedSeries at Eastern Creek.

#events#sports-cars

Shepparton Springnats 2026 — Victoria

Shepparton Springnats brings burnouts, show and shine and cruising to the Shepparton Showgrounds on Friday 27 November 2026 — street machine culture in regional Victoria.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Adelaide Auto Expo 2026 — Wayville

Adelaide Auto Expo runs at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville on 13–14 November 2026 — two days of car displays, exhibitors and traders under the showground roof.

#car-culture#events#industry

Bindoon Burnouts 2026 — Western Australia

Bindoon Burnouts brings tyre-smoking competition to Bindoon, WA on 2–3 October 2026 — a weekend on the west's burnout calendar, about an hour from Perth.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

All British Day 2026 — Tennyson, South Australia

All British Day returns to Tennyson Playing Fields, Adelaide on Sunday 27 September 2026 from 8:30am — a morning of classic British cars on display.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Peninsula Motorfest 8.0 2026 — Clontarf, Queensland

Peninsula Motorfest 8.0 fills Pelican Park, Clontarf on 28–30 August 2026 — a family car festival on the Redcliffe Peninsula with show cars, traders and entertainment.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

Street Machine Summernats 39 2027 — Canberra

Summernats 39 takes over Exhibition Park in Canberra from 7–10 January 2027 — burnouts, elite show cars and the Pro Burnout Series Grand Final to open the year.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

bp Adelaide Grand Final 2026 — Supercars season decider

Four contenders, three races, 600 kilometres: the 2026 Supercars champion is decided at the bp Adelaide Grand Final, 26–29 November, with Guns N' Roses headlining Sunday night.

#events#sports-cars

Penrite Oil Sandown 500 2026 — Melbourne

The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 runs at Sandown Raceway on 6–8 November 2026 — a 500-kilometre Supercars enduro that shapes the Finals Series before the Adelaide decider.

#events#sports-cars

Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 2026 — Surfers Paradise

Supercars hit the streets of Surfers Paradise on 23–25 October 2026 — the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, a street-circuit round deep in the championship-deciding Finals Series.

#events#sports-cars

Repco Bathurst 1000 2026 — Mount Panorama, Bathurst

The Great Race returns to Mount Panorama on 8–11 October 2026 — the 66th running of the Repco Bathurst 1000, 1000 kilometres of Supercars endurance racing steeped in touring-car history.

#events#sports-cars

AirTouch 500 at The Bend 2026 — Tailem Bend, South Australia

Supercars open the 2026 enduro season at The Bend Motorsport Park on 11–13 September 2026, racing the tighter West Circuit at Tailem Bend about 100 km southeast of Adelaide.

#events#sports-cars

Red CentreNATS 12 2026 — Alice Springs

Red CentreNATS 12 turns Alice Springs into a four-day celebration of Australian car culture from 3–6 September 2026 — burnouts, drag racing, dirt drags and show 'n' shine in the Red Centre.

#car-culture#events#sports-cars

World Time Attack Challenge 2026 — Sydney

World Time Attack Challenge returns to Sydney Motorsport Park on 4–5 September 2026 — time attack, drifting, show cars and the new Mayhem After Dark night spectacular.

#events#sports-cars

Which fuel does your car actually need? 91 vs 95 vs 98, E10 and diesel, settled

Octane ratings explained without the myths: when 98 genuinely helps, why premium in a regular engine does nothing, which cars can't run E10, and how to read the filler flap like an owner's manual.

Home EV charging explained: wallboxes, installation costs and charging while you sleep

Charging an EV at home: the three levels of charger, what installation really costs, single vs three-phase power, tariff tricks that halve running costs, and apartment answers.

EV battery life, warranties and what a replacement really costs

How long EV batteries actually last in Australia, what the standard 8-year warranty covers (and the degradation clause most people miss), real replacement cost ranges, and how to read battery health before buying used.

#evs

Statutory warranty and cooling-off: your rights buying a used car from a dealer, state by state

What a licensed dealer owes you beyond the showroom smile: statutory warranty periods and thresholds by state, which states give you a cooling-off period, and what auctions and private sales don't.

Used-car finance explained: pre-approval, secured loans and the balloon trap

How car finance actually works in Australia: why pre-approval changes your negotiating position, what a secured loan really secures, how comparison rates expose fees, and where balloons bite.

Tyres explained: reading the sidewall, knowing when to replace, paying the right price

What the codes on your tyre's sidewall actually mean, the wear and age limits that decide replacement, how to compare a $120 tyre with a $300 one honestly, and the roadworthy line most people miss.

Genuine vs OEM vs aftermarket car parts: what should you actually pay?

Genuine, OEM-supplier and aftermarket parts explained: where the price gap comes from, what it looks like from a Corolla to a Ferrari, and why your state matters less than you think.

Modified cars: what's legal, what needs certifying, and what it does to resale

Lifted 4WDs, wheels, exhausts and engine mods: what's legal without certification, when you need state approval, how insurance treats modifications, and what a mod plate does to what your car is worth.

How to spot a flood-damaged car before you buy it

Water-damaged cars move interstate and resurface months later. Where flood damage hides, the ten-minute inspection that finds it, and what a PPSR check will and won't tell you.

Buying a car at auction: what you're really signing up for

Dealer and public car auctions explained: who can bid, what condition grades hide, which consumer rights don't follow you through the gate, and how to bid without paying a dealer price.

ANCAP vs Used Car Safety Ratings: choosing a genuinely safe used car

What ANCAP star ratings actually test, why a five-star 2013 car isn't a five-star 2025 car, how Used Car Safety Ratings differ, and how to check the rating on any car you're about to buy.

Car theft in Australia: 2026 trends, prevention and what to do if your car is stolen

Car theft in Australia is rising again. The 2025 numbers, how thieves now bypass modern security, the defences worth having, and what to do in the first hour if your car is taken.

Showcase your car online: share the car without the hard sell

Not selling yet? Give your car its own shareable showcase page — photos, story and spec sheet, plus a virtual plate and short link. Listing a car on MotorLoop is free.

Why Australian cars are different: right-hand drive and our own design rules

Right-hand drive, the Australian Design Rules and the RAV explained — why a used car's specs, features and price rarely line up with UK or US versions of the same model.

How car recalls work in Australia (and how to check your VIN)

What a car recall means, who runs Australia's system since July 2021, how notices are published, and how to check a vehicle for open recalls before you buy used.

#recalls

Vehicle-to-grid and V2L in Australia: what actually works today

V2L works today in dozens of EVs on sale in Australia; V2G export is still mostly trials. Which cars offer vehicle-to-load, where V2G stands, and what buyers should check.

Insuring a classic: agreed value, laid-up cover and the questions to ask

Classic car insurance works differently: agreed value set upfront, laid-up cover for projects and premiums shaped by limited use. What to check and the questions to ask.

Club plates and concession registration: drive your classic for less

Club plates and concessional registration let you run a classic at a fraction of full-rego cost. How each state's scheme works — ages, logbooks, day limits and who qualifies.

How to buy a new car in Australia: stock, factory order, or walk-in?

The three ways to buy a new car in Australia — dealer stock, a factory or dealer order, or a near-new demo — plus deposits, delivery delays and what to check at handover.

Trade-in vs selling privately: the difference worked through

Trade in or sell privately? A worked example with round numbers shows why dealers often offer less, what convenience buys you, and how to check any trade quote against the market.

Towing explained: GVM, GCM, ATM and matching your car to the van

Towing capacity explained for Australian buyers: what GVM, GCM, ATM, GTM and towball mass mean, how the loaded weights interact, braked vs unbraked ratings, and matching your car to a caravan.

What's a good kilometre count for a used car?

How many kms is good for a used car? See Australia's average annual kilometres, why logbook evidence beats the odometer, when high kays matter, and the checks that catch a wound-back clock.

Do better car photos really sell your car for more? What the research says

Academic studies of more than 100,000 online car sales found listings with more photos fetch higher prices — and private sellers gain most. What the research shows, where it disagrees, and how to use it.

Australia's Most Popular Cars by State and Territory

From utes up north to EVs in Canberra: Australia's best-selling cars in every state and territory in 2025, and what it means for used buyers and sellers.

#industry

Importing and Exporting Cars in Australia: The Complete Guide

How to import or export a car in Australia: ROVER approvals, biosecurity, duty and GST, plus the registration steps in every state and territory.

#paperwork

Charged on Coal: How Clean Is an EV in Australia, Really?

Zero tailpipe doesn't mean zero emissions. How Australia's grid mix, your state and your charging time decide how clean your EV actually is.

#evs

The Carbon Debt: Why an EV Starts Life With a Bigger Footprint Than You Think

EVs leave the factory with a bigger carbon footprint than petrol cars. How the "carbon debt" works, when it breaks even, and what it means for buyers.

#evs

Beyond the Tailpipe: Tyres, Weight and the EV Recycling Problem

Tyre particulates from heavier cars, an immature battery recycling industry, insurers writing off damaged packs: the EV questions still unanswered.

#evs

What's Really in an EV Battery: The Mining Behind "Zero Emissions"

Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite: the mining supply chain behind EV batteries, its real environmental and human costs, and how it's changing.

#evs

Buying or Selling a Car in WA: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in WA: no-inspection rules, PPSR checks, the 7-day seller notification and duty.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in Victoria: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in Victoria: RWC rules, PPSR checks, myVicRoads transfer steps and duty.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in Tasmania: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in Tasmania: PPSR checks, transfer within 14 days, duty and disposal notification.

#paperwork

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

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in SA: PPSR checks, EzyReg transfer within 14 days, duty and disposal notice.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in Queensland: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in Queensland: safety certificate rules, PPSR checks, TMR transfer and duty.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in the NT: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in the NT: MVR transfer within 14 days, roadworthy timing, duty and PPSR checks.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in NSW: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in NSW: PPSR and rego checks, transfer and duty steps, and the Notice of Disposal.

#paperwork

Buying or Selling a Car in the ACT: The Complete Checklist

The complete checklist for buying or selling a used car privately in the ACT: transfer inspections for older cars, emissions-based duty, PPSR checks.

#paperwork

Car Theft in Western Australia: What Perth Drivers Need to Know

Car theft in WA is trending down faster than anywhere in the country, but Perth remains the focus. What thieves target and how to keep your car safe.

#situations

Car Theft in Victoria: Inside Australia's Vehicle Crime Capital

Victoria is Australia's car theft capital. What's driving the surge, which models are targeted, key cloning explained, and how to protect your car.

#situations

Car Theft in Tasmania: Low Numbers, Real Risks

Tasmania has Australia's lowest car theft volumes, but its older vehicle fleet makes easy targets. How thefts happen here and how to protect your car.

#situations

Car Theft in South Australia: Trends, Targets and Prevention

What South Australian drivers should know about car theft: Adelaide trends, the models thieves target, prevention tips and pre-purchase checks.

#situations

Car Theft in Queensland: Trends, Hotspots and How to Protect Your Car

Car theft in Queensland is finally falling, but regional hotspots persist. The models thieves target, how they strike, and how to protect your vehicle.

#situations

Car Theft in the Northern Territory: What Drivers Need to Know

Car theft in the NT: what Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs drivers should know, which vehicles are targeted, and how to reduce your risk.

#situations

Car Theft in the ACT: What Canberra Drivers Need to Know

Car theft in the ACT is low by national standards but not zero. Where it happens in Canberra, what gets targeted, and how to protect your vehicle.

#situations

Car Theft in New South Wales: Hotspots, Targets and How to Protect Your Car

Where and how cars are stolen in NSW, the most-targeted models, and practical steps to protect your vehicle — plus the checks to run before buying used.

#situations

Australian Used Car Market Trends: Why Hybrids Dominate, EV Pricing Realignment, and the Resilience of the Dual-Cab

The fuel excise was fully restored on 3 August and petrol now averages 200.9 cents a litre across the five largest capitals, diesel 241.6. What the ACCC and FCAI figures mean for used hybrids, EVs and diesel utes.

#used-cars

The Private Seller’s Playbook: How to Price, Photograph, and List Your Car for Maximum Value

Master the art of private car selling in Australia. Learn professional pricing strategies, lighting and photo shot lists, persuasive copywriting, and test drive safety.

The Australian Used Car Buyer's Guide: PPSR, Roadworthies, Inspections and Avoiding Scams

A complete, step-by-step pre-purchase handbook for buying a used car privately in Australia. Learn how to run a $2 PPSR check, understand state RWC rules, conduct mechanical checks, and safely transfer payment.

Escrow, stakeholders and fake "secure payment" sites for a private car sale

What escrow actually is, why a buyer-sent escrow website is usually a scam, and the safer Australian alternatives that aren't a stranger's link.

Can you buy or sell a car with crypto in Australia?

Can you buy or sell a car with crypto in Australia? Cover tax, transfer, AUSTRAC and scam risks before you pay in Bitcoin or stablecoins in 2026.

Read this before the finance manager sits down

The car is the easy part. The contract is the purchase. Get the loan from someone who does not also need to sell you the car, get every fee on one page, and do not sign a small weekly number that hides a balloon.

#finance#prices

Toyota DPF owners face a 26 August deadline as three engine cases continue

Owners of 264,170 Toyota HiLux, Prado and Fortuner diesels have until 26 August 2026 to register for any DPF settlement, while a Ford V6 recall and two petrol-engine class actions continue.

#recalls

Australian Car Culture Right Now: Carparks, Kangaroos and Private-Sale Anxiety

What Australians actually talked about this month: a mis-badged wagon at Bunnings, a $5,000 headlight after a roo strike, Marketplace sellers going quiet, and a $1,000 impound at Keysborough.

#industry

Australian Number Plates: New Rules, State Prices and Record Sales

EV labels are now mandatory, NSW 1 sold for $11.5 million, and a personalised plate costs $111 a year in NSW but $165 once in Queensland. Here's the full picture.

Global electric car sales passed 20 million in 2025, the IEA reports

The IEA's Global EV Outlook 2026 puts 2025 electric car sales above 20 million, a quarter of the world car market, with China near 55 per cent share while United States sales edged lower.

#industry

Cars & Culture meet, St Kilda Triangle, Sunday 16 August

Motor Culture Australia runs its Cars & Culture meet at the St Kilda Triangle on Sunday 16 August, 9am to 12.30pm, with food, live music, giveaways and partner stalls.

#industry

Is stop-start ruining your engine? What the evidence supports

Bench tests on real bearing shells, three patents and a US regulator investigation suggest stop-start shifted the load onto a bearing coating, the starter and the battery rather than wearing engines out.

Fuel in your engine oil: how it happens and when it matters

Fuel dilution of engine oil is measured and mechanically understood, but the alarming percentages usually come from cold samples or diesel filter regeneration. Here is what the published research records.

15,000 km oil intervals: what has actually been measured

Long service intervals are widely blamed for short engine life. We went looking for the measurements: what the oil analyses show, what the fuel standard changed, and what remains untested.

Does thin engine oil wear engines out faster? What the data shows

A controlled wear study found a 0W-16 wore more than a 5W-30 across about two thirds of the conditions tested, less across the rest, and cold starting moved wear more than the grade did.

Small turbo engines, LSPI, and what the oil standards changed

Downsized turbo petrol engines run roughly double the cylinder load of the engines they replaced, and that produced one documented failure mode serious enough that the oil industry built an engine test around it.

Direct injection and carbon on the intake valves

Intake valve deposits in direct-injection petrol engines are documented in manufacturer bulletins, but the popular explanation and the popular fix do not survive the primary sources.

Timing chains have a reputation as fit-and-forget parts. The record is more complicated

Chain elongation is joint wear, not stretched metal. The oil industry built a standardised chain-wear test around it, tightened the limit, and several manufacturers have documented actions on the record.

CVT reliability: what the recalls and settlements show

Belt and chain CVTs have a documented failure mechanism and a real recall record, but we could not find a published failure rate for any CVT population - and Australia's transmission penalty went to a dual-clutch.

Filled for life: what sealed transmissions actually specify

ZF calls its passenger-car automatics maintenance-free and recommends an oil change after 150,000 km in the same document. What the primary sources say about sealed transmissions.

Wet timing belts: what the recall record actually says

Belt-in-oil timing drives have produced a US safety recall, an open NHTSA engineering analysis and an Australian recall notice. Here is what those primary documents establish, and what they do not.

The safety gap between a 1990s car and a current one

Independent crash datasets show occupant death risk is substantially lower in newer vehicles - but the measured gains stop short at pedestrians, unlit roads, rear seats and mass mismatch.

Why modern cars rust far less than the ones you remember

Dip-applied primer, zinc-coated steel and a written perforation warranty changed the picture - the caveats now sit in ladder chassis, wheel-arch liners and Australia's own coastal salt.

Did old cars really last longer? What the registration data shows

US registration data puts 9.16% of 1977-2003 passenger cars still registered at 20 years, and German roadside figures show same-age breakdown rates roughly halving since 2015 - plus the counter-evidence.

33 vehicle recalls published in July, and how to check a used car

The federal recall register published 33 notices in July 2026, among them a Ford Ranger and Everest transmission recall covering 2,572 vehicles. A recall attaches to the VIN, so a used car can arrive with one open.

#recalls

Battery EVs were more than one in five new cars sold in July

The FCAI reports 23,510 battery electric vehicles delivered in July 2026, or 21.7% of the market, and a second consecutive month above a fifth. Year to date, BEVs are 17.3% of sales.

#evs

Car prices rose 2.2% over the year while fuel fell 7.3%

The ABS Consumer Price Index for June 2026, released 29 July, puts Motor vehicles up 2.2% over the year against headline inflation of 3.8%. Automotive fuel fell 7.3%.

#prices

Porsche delivered 16% fewer cars in the first half of 2026 — and made more money

Porsche's own half-year figures show deliveries down 16.5% and revenue down 5.1%, while operating profit rose 33.9%. The company calls it a value-over-volume strategy.

#sports-cars

Victoria's 20% rego rebate closes 31 August, and you have to claim it

Victorians can claim 20% back on light vehicle registration paid between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, for up to two vehicles. Unlike the NSW discount it is not automatic, and applications close 31 August.

#prices

Luxury car tax thresholds rise for 2026-27

The LCT threshold is now $91,661 for fuel-efficient cars and $80,809 for everything else. It decides what a new car above the line costs, and whether a used EV can ever be FBT-exempt.

#new-cars

NSW takes $100 off private car registration from 1 September

From 1 September, NSW registration renewals for privately registered light vehicles are reduced by up to $100 and motorcycles by $80. It applies automatically, and business-registered vehicles are excluded.

#prices

How to sell your car in Australia: the step-by-step checklist

A start-to-finish checklist for selling your car in Australia — paperwork, pricing, preparation, photos that get your listing opened, a description that answers questions before they’re asked, and a safe handover.

Stamp duty on cars, state by state

What duty you pay to register or transfer a car in each Australian state and territory, how the dutiable value is worked out, when it falls due, and where to check the rate that binds you.

Buying a car through your business: finance and tax

Chattel mortgage, finance lease or operating lease — how each is treated for GST and deductions, plus the car limit, the instant asset write-off and the records that decide your claim.

Balloon payments and residual values, explained

Why a lower monthly repayment can cost more overall: how balloon payments and lease residuals are set, the ATO minimum residual percentages, and how negative equity happens.

Car loans and dealer finance in Australia

What a car loan really costs: comparison rates, establishment and broker fees, balloon payments and guaranteed future value, plus what ASIC found reviewing 350,000 Australian car loans.

Ways to buy a car in Australia, compared

Cash, a car loan, dealer finance, a novated lease, a chattel mortgage, a finance or operating lease, or a consumer lease — what each costs, who owns the car, and who each suits.

Novated leases in Australia, explained

How a novated lease works: what your employer takes on, why FBT decides the cost, the employee contribution method, how the residual is set, and what happens when you change jobs.

Fringe benefits tax on cars in Australia, explained

How FBT works when an employer provides a car: the 47% rate, the statutory formula and operating cost methods, gross-up, the reportable amount on your income statement, and the ute exemption.

Servicing a hybrid: what is different

A hybrid is a petrol car plus an electric system, so it keeps oil changes and adds a few checks. Toyota’s annual battery health check decides whether its 10-year battery cover survives.

What an electric car still needs serviced

EVs drop the oil changes, plugs and exhaust, and the Government puts the servicing saving around 40%. Here is what genuinely remains — including the brake problem regenerative braking creates.

Should you buy a plug-in hybrid?

PHEVs suit a specific driver and punish everyone else. The real-world economy evidence, the FBT change that removed their tax advantage, and the charging connector issue on several used models.

Eight EV myths, and what the evidence says

Battery replacement, fires, lifecycle emissions, towing, country driving, charging in the rain, whether hybrids plug in, and grid capacity — checked against Australian data rather than assumed.

Public EV charging in Australia

How big the network is, what plugs are used here, what really determines fast-charging speed, and an honest account of where the remaining gaps are for long-distance travel.

Charging an electric car at home

What a normal power point delivers, when a wallbox is worth it, what installation involves, and the honest position for renters and apartment dwellers — where a hybrid is often the better answer.

What an electric car actually costs to run

Charging costs at home, on off-peak and at public fast chargers, against petrol at Australian prices. What the Electric Vehicle Council and the Government actually publish, with the assumptions shown.

How long an EV battery really lasts

What large real-world datasets show about EV battery degradation, how often batteries are actually replaced, what the warranties guarantee, and how to check state of health before you buy a used one.

Buying a used electric car: the checklist

What to check on a used EV that does not apply to a petrol car — battery state of health, charging history, which cables should come with it, connector type, warranty servicing conditions and recalls.

Electric, hybrid or petrol: which suits you

A decision guide based on how you actually drive. Where you park overnight matters more than anything else — then annual kilometres, long trips and towing. Honest about when petrol still wins.

EV stamp duty and registration concessions by state

Most Australian EV purchase incentives have now closed. What each state and territory still offers on stamp duty and registration, what ended and when, and where to confirm before you buy.

Luxury car tax and electric cars

The LCT thresholds for 2026-27, the fuel-efficient test that tightened to 3.5L/100km on 1 July 2025, and which costs count toward the threshold — options and delivery do, stamp duty and rego do not.

Plug-in hybrids lost the FBT exemption in 2025

From 1 April 2025 a plug-in hybrid is no longer a zero or low emissions vehicle for FBT. What the transitional rule protects, the five things that break it, and what it means if you are buying a used PHEV.

Electric cars and fringe benefits tax, explained

How the FBT exemption on electric cars works in Australia: the four conditions, the luxury car tax cap, why it is still a reportable fringe benefit, and the discount announced to replace it from 2027.

Is it worth fixing your car before you sell it?

Some repairs pay for themselves before a private sale and most don't. Here's how to tell which is which — and why the answer partly depends on your state.

Selling a written-off or repairable write-off car in Australia

A written-off vehicle can be sold, and repairable write-offs sell perfectly well when they're disclosed. Here's what the register records, what you have to say, and where the rules differ.

How to sell a car that still has finance owing

You can sell a car under finance in Australia, but the loan has to be settled for the buyer to get clear title. Here's the sequence that protects both of you.

Can you sell a car with expired registration?

Yes — unregistered cars are sold in Australia every day. Here's what changes: how the buyer moves it, whether to re-register first, and what it does to your price.

Selling a car privately in Australia: what every state actually requires

Inspection rules, notice-of-disposal deadlines, transfer fees and duty for all eight Australian states and territories, taken from each transport department's own pages.

Selling a car interstate: what changes

Selling to a buyer in another state adds an inspection question, a plate question and a transport question. Here's what changes and what to sort out before you agree.

Selling a car from a deceased estate: what's actually required

Transferring or selling a vehicle registered to someone who has died — who has authority to do it, what each state requires, and what to expect if there's no will.

The safest way to accept payment when selling a car privately

The riskiest part of a private car sale is the moment a buyer says the money has been sent. Here's how to get paid safely — what "cleared" actually means, which methods hold up, and the one rule that protects you.

Number plates when you sell: what stays and what goes

Do the plates go with the car? Usually yes — but personalised plates are yours to keep, and some states want the plates back. Here's what to sort out before the sale.

What is a notice of disposal — and what happens if you don't lodge one?

A notice of disposal tells your state you no longer own a car you've sold. Here's how long you have in each Australian state and territory, how to lodge it, and what happens to your fines and tolls if you don't.

Meeting a buyer safely: a private seller's checklist

Almost all used-car safety advice is written for buyers. This is the other side — the test drive, the address, the handover, and the insurance question nobody answers.

What happens to your insurance and CTP when you sell a car

Comprehensive cover and compulsory third party behave differently when you sell. Here's what to cancel, when to cancel it, and the test-drive question worth asking first.

How to transfer car registration in Australia

Registration transfer is the buyer's job, but it runs on the seller's paperwork. Here's who does what, in what order, in every state and territory.

How to sell a car privately in WA

Western Australia needs no inspection to sell a licensed vehicle, but gives you only 7 days to lodge the seller's notice — half the time most states allow. Here's the full process, from form MR9 to the transfer.

How to sell a car privately in Victoria

Victoria is the only state where the seller must supply a roadworthy certificate, and it has to be under 30 days old. Here's what else a private sale in Victoria requires.

How to sell a car privately in Tasmania

Tasmania needs no inspection to sell a Tasmanian-registered car within the state, but gives you only 7 days to lodge the notice of disposal. Here's the full process.

How to sell a car privately in SA

South Australia needs no inspection to sell a registered light vehicle. Here's the rest of the process — the disposal notice, the 14-day deadline, the transfer, and the threshold that makes you a dealer.

How to sell a car privately in Queensland

Queensland dropped the rule requiring a safety certificate before you advertise — but you still need one to complete the sale. Here's what a private sale actually requires, and why much advice online is out of date.

How to sell a car privately in the NT

The Northern Territory overhauled its light-vehicle inspection rules in February 2026 — only vehicles 7 years and older need one now, and either party can get it. Here's the current process.

How to sell a car privately in NSW

What you actually have to do to sell a car privately in New South Wales — including why you don't need a pink slip, how to lodge the notice of disposal, and what the buyer has to do next.

How to sell a car privately in the ACT

The ACT requires an inspection for any vehicle over six years old, transfers have to be done in person, and its late-transfer fee is the steepest in the country. Here's the process.

Am I accidentally trading as a car dealer?

Australian states and territories limit how many vehicles you can sell privately before you need a motor dealer's licence. Here's how the threshold works and why it catches people out.

What documents do you need to sell a car in Australia?

The paperwork for a private car sale in Australia — what your state requires, what protects you even though it isn't required, and what buyers will ask for.

How much does it really cost to sell a car privately in Australia?

An itemised, state-aware breakdown of what a private car sale actually costs — the inspection, the transfer, the duty, the presentation, and who pays which.

How much does a car depreciate in Australia?

What actually moves a used car's value in Australia — age, kilometres, service history, colour and body type — and which of those you can still do something about.

Used car inspection checklist: what to look for

What to check when inspecting a used car in Australia — body and panels, engine, interior and electronics, tyres and brakes, the test drive and the paperwork — plus the red flags that mean walk away.

How to buy a used car in Australia

A step-by-step guide to buying a used car in Australia — setting a budget, searching smart, running a PPSR check, inspecting and test-driving, negotiating, and transferring the rego.

How to avoid used-car scams in Australia

The common used-car scams in Australia and how to avoid them — fake escrow and deposit scams, odometer wind-back, curbstoning, cloned listings and cars with money owing — plus how to pay and meet safely.