Car Buyers' and sellers' checklists
Buyer's Checklist
Check that:
- The current registration certificate is in the seller's name – although this is not proof of ownership
- Whoever fills in the Transfer Application as the seller has their name on the current registration certificate
- The vehicle has a Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (COI) and the seller provides you with the blue copy
- The Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection has not expired, or exceeded the 2000km limited allowed to be travelled before a new safety certificate is required, and identifies the issuing approved inspection station
- The Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection is displayed on the vehicle
- The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic
- If the vehicle runs on gas or is fitted with gas appliances, fittings or systems the vehicle may require a gas certificate and the seller must provide you with this. The certificate must not be more than 3 months old and must be from an authorised gas installer
- Both sections of the Transfer of Vehicle Registration Application (form F3520) have been completed and signed by both the person selling the vehicle and the person buying the vehicle
- You (the buyer) must lodge Part A (Transfer Application) of the Transfer of Vehicle Registration Application form at customer service centre within 14 days of purchase.
You should use the search function on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to make sure that the vehicle you are buying does not have a security interest over it. For example, if you buy a vehicle that still has money owing on it, the vehicle could be repossessed by the person who lent money against it. A PPSR search will also advise whether the vehicle has been reported as stolen or written-off.
If you buy a vehicle from a motor dealer, they must supply a vehicle search certificate from the PPSR.
Sellers' checklist
Make sure:
- You have provided a registration certificate in the seller's name (although this is not proof of ownership)
- You have obtained a Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection (COI) and you have provided the buyer with the blue copy
- The Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection has not expired, or exceeded the 2000km limited allowed to be travelled before a new safety certificate is required, and identifies the issuing approved inspection station
- The Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection is attached to a conspicuous part of the vehicle when it is offered for sale
- If the vehicle runs on gas or is fitted with gas appliances, fittings or systems the vehicle may require a gas certificate (which you must provide to the buyer). The certificate must not be more than 3 months old and be from an authorised gas installer
- Both sections of the Transfer of Vehicle Registration Application (form F3520) have been completed and signed by both the person selling the vehicle and the person buying the vehicle
- You keep Part B (Proof of Transfer/Notice of Disposal) of the Transfer of Vehicle Registration Application form
- You keep the yellow copy of the Queensland safety certificate
- You keep the above documents as proof of transfer until the vehicle is transferred out of your name
If you (the seller) reasonably believe the buyer has not applied for transfer of the vehicle's registration within 14 days, you may lodge Part B (Proof of Transfer/Notice of Disposal) at a customer service centre together with a copy of the Queensland safety certificate/certificate of inspection.
