Before paying a deposit on a car advertised online, inspect the vehicle and check who you are dealing with. A convincing advert or a loan approval is not a substitute for checking the seller, payment details and vehicle paperwork.
See the car before sending money
Photos and messages are not an inspection. Scamwatch’s buying-and-selling guidance recommends inspecting expensive items in person before paying and warns about unusually cheap offers.
Arrange an independent mechanical inspection as well. The Queensland Government’s private-car buying guide recommends a qualified inspection, a test drive and checking that the advertised vehicle actually exists before handing over money.
A useful first message is: “When can I inspect the car and arrange an independent inspection?” If you cannot complete those checks, pause the purchase.
Check the seller and payment details
For a business seller, independently check its ABN and physical location. Before a transfer, make sure the account-holder name matches the person or business you expect to pay. A mismatch needs resolving before you proceed.
Scamwatch also warns that fake adverts and profiles can appear on otherwise legitimate websites. Being able to open an advert does not establish that its seller is genuine.
Match the paperwork to the actual vehicle
Compare the registration documents with the car’s number plate, vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number, and check the seller’s details. Queensland’s guidance highlights these checks because private purchases have fewer protections, including no normal cooling-off period or statutory warranty in that state. Check local requirements if buying elsewhere.
Run your own official PPSR vehicle search using the correct VIN, ideally on the day of purchase or the day before. Keep the certificate. A search and a mechanical inspection answer different questions; neither should replace the other.
If a registered interest appears, read our guide to a PPSR search showing a security interest before proceeding. Our broader used-car checklist covers the other checks around committing to a purchase.
Keep finance and payment decisions separate
Before agreeing to a handover date, ask which finance conditions and documents remain outstanding. Keep the proposed purchase details and inspection results together for that conversation.
Aussie Loans is a finance broker. Our team can discuss finance for a proposed vehicle purchase; lender approval, eligibility, rates and fees vary.
General information only, checked 21 October 2026. Seek advice about your particular purchase if anything remains unclear.
