used car finance check Page 26

Before you hand over cash for a used car, run a PPSR check (ppsr.gov.au) with the VIN; it’s only a few dollars and tells you if there’s finance owing, stolen status, or write-off history. If the PPSR shows finance, the seller must pay it out before you buy, or you risk inheriting their debt—like a hand-me-down couch with a surprise ferret. Always get a current PPSR certificate time-stamped on the day you intend to purchase, and only pay once it’s clear. Cross-check the rego, VIN on the car, odometer, and seller ID, and ask for a payout letter if they’re settling a loan. Dealers usually provide clear title, but with private sales, the PPSR check is your best mate.