A PPSR check costs $2.20 and takes 60 seconds — but who should pay for it, and is it worth doing before you list or sell?
A standard vehicle search on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) costs $2.20 (AUD, including GST) as of 2024. Done online at ppsr.gov.au, it takes about 60 seconds and returns an instant result.
The certificate shows:
For $2.20, it's one of the best-value checks available when buying or selling a car.
Conventionally, the buyer obtains a PPSR check before purchasing. But as a seller, doing one on your own car before listing has two advantages:
1. You know what buyers will find. If there's a finance encumbrance you forgot about, you can address it proactively. 2. It builds trust. Providing a current PPSR certificate in your listing is a credibility signal that serious buyers appreciate.
Sold Fast carries out a PPSR search as part of our standard purchase process — you don't need to provide one when selling to us.
Go to ppsr.gov.au, select 'Motor Vehicle' search, enter the VIN (chassis number), and pay $2.20 by credit card. The certificate is generated immediately.
A PPSR check reveals write-offs recorded on the register, but does not reveal all accident history — only damage serious enough to have been recorded as a statutory write-off.
A PPSR check reveals whether a car is subject to money owing, has been reported written off, or is listed as stolen. Here's what sellers need to know about PPSR before they list or sell.
Wondering what your car is actually worth in today's market? This guide explains exactly how car valuations work in Australia, what factors affect your price, and how to get the most accurate estimate.
PPSR checks are common when buying and selling cars — but are they legally required? Here's what you need to know as a seller.