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.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a national database maintained by the Australian Government. It records security interests registered against personal property — which includes motor vehicles.
When a lender provides finance for a car purchase, they register a security interest on the PPSR. This means the lender has a legal claim against the vehicle until the loan is fully repaid. If you sell the car without clearing this security interest, the buyer could legally lose the car — even if they paid full market value for it.
A PPSR check on a vehicle reveals:
Yes — Sold Fast runs a PPSR check on every vehicle we purchase, without exception. This is a standard part of our due diligence process and protects both parties.
The PPSR check confirms the vehicle's identity, confirms any finance we need to settle, and checks for stolen or written-off status. If a vehicle is listed as a total write-off on the PPSR, we cannot purchase it regardless of how it appears physically.
If you're selling privately, running a PPSR check on your own vehicle is a smart move. It lets you identify any issues before a buyer does — and confirm the vehicle's clean status, which you can present as evidence to potential buyers.
A PPSR search costs $2 per VIN from the official government website (ppsr.gov.au). It's one of the best $2 you can spend before a private sale.
If the PPSR shows finance owing, we can handle the payout as part of the sale process (see our guide on selling with finance owing). If the vehicle shows as stolen or a write-off, the situation is more complex and may prevent a clean sale. Sold Fast's team can advise you further based on the specifics of your situation.
An official PPSR search costs $2 per VIN at ppsr.gov.au. Third-party services like REVS check charge more but often include additional data such as service history or odometer verification.
REVS (Registered Encumbrances on Vehicle Securities) was the predecessor to PPSR in New South Wales. When the national PPSR was introduced in 2012, state-based REVS registers were merged into it. A 'REVS check' today is colloquially used to mean a PPSR search — they're the same thing.
Technically a vehicle can transfer ownership with a security interest still registered. However, the security interest follows the vehicle — meaning the new owner risks losing the car to the lender. Reputable buyers always clear any PPSR security interest as part of the transaction.
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