Buying second hand cars in oz - how to ensure that the car is likely to last?

Hi,

I am interested in buying a second hand car perhaps as opposed to
renting purly for the fact that we would save lots of money for long
trips. However, Im not very mechanically minded and would like to
lessen the odds of being ripped of by knowing what things to check for
should we decide to do this. Obviously Im not going to be able to lift
up the hood and by looking at the engine, tell what kind of conidtion
it is in but things to ask, such as service history and the like.

Also, what things do I need over here to ensure I can drive my old
banger on australian roads. Ofcourse I have a valid UK driving licence
but is all else I need just road tax and insurance?

Alternatively, if anyone can offer any argument to suggest why this is
perhaps a bad idea and renting, although more expensive, is better or
even any tips it would also be much appreciated. Thanks

Burnsy

In whatever state you're in - get an Auto Club check. They're impartial,
thorough - and for what they do - cheap. (NSW - NRMA. Qld - RACQ. Vic - RACV
etc). Otherwise get a mechanic to check the vehicle - compression tests etc.
A visual inspection, such as you are proposing, is useless unless you're
'supermech'!

You need a valid UK licence.

You need to obtain from the seller - a valid transfer of Registration and
CTP (Compulsory Third Party Insurance). These will require the seller to
submit a valid, current Certificate of Safety (or Roadworthiness) -
depending on the State of registration. I'd also take out third party
property insurance, perhaps also fire and theft. They're fairly cheap, and
cover you if you clip Mr Richo's Mercedes. Fire and theft are self
explanatory.

You should also obtain yourself before passing over any cash - a REVS
Certificate (in most states available over the phone for a small charge - on
your credit card) which guarantees that the vehicle is indeed the property
of the person selling.

Have Fun!!

Oh! And be aware that used car salesmen in Australia are - to a man
(person?) - arseholes (as I suspect they are everywhere!!)!


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I am interested in buying a second hand car perhaps as opposed to
renting purly for the fact that we would save lots of money for long
trips. However, Im not very mechanically minded and would like to
lessen the odds of being ripped of by knowing what things to check for
should we decide to do this. Obviously Im not going to be able to lift
up the hood and by looking at the engine, tell what kind of conidtion
it is in but things to ask, such as service history and the like.

Also, what things do I need over here to ensure I can drive my old
banger on australian roads. Ofcourse I have a valid UK driving licence
but is all else I need just road tax and insurance?

Alternatively, if anyone can offer any argument to suggest why this is
perhaps a bad idea and renting, although more expensive, is better or
even any tips it would also be much appreciated. Thanks

Burnsy

In whatever state you're in - get an Auto Club check. They're impartial,
thorough - and for what they do - cheap. (NSW - NRMA. Qld - RACQ. Vic - RACV
etc). Otherwise get a mechanic to check the vehicle - compression tests etc.
A visual inspection, such as you are proposing, is useless unless you're
'supermech'!

You need a valid UK licence.

You need to obtain from the seller - a valid transfer of Registration and
CTP (Compulsory Third Party Insurance). These will require the seller to
submit a valid, current Certificate of Safety (or Roadworthiness) -
depending on the State of registration. I'd also take out third party
property insurance, perhaps also fire and theft. They're fairly cheap, and
cover you if you clip Mr Richo's Mercedes. Fire and theft are self
explanatory.

You should also obtain yourself before passing over any cash - a REVS
Certificate (in most states available over the phone for a small charge - on
your credit card) which guarantees that the vehicle is indeed the property
of the person selling.

Have Fun!!

Oh! And be aware that used car salesmen in Australia are - to a man
(person?) - ars**oles (as I suspect they are everywhere!!)!





wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I am interested in buying a second hand car perhaps as opposed to
renting purly for the fact that we would save lots of money for long
trips. However, Im not very mechanically minded and would like to
lessen the odds of being ripped of by knowing what things to check for
should we decide to do this. Obviously Im not going to be able to lift
up the hood and by looking at the engine, tell what kind of conidtion
it is in but things to ask, such as service history and the like.

Also, what things do I need over here to ensure I can drive my old
banger on australian roads. Ofcourse I have a valid UK driving licence
but is all else I need just road tax and insurance?

Alternatively, if anyone can offer any argument to suggest why this is
perhaps a bad idea and renting, although more expensive, is better or
even any tips it would also be much appreciated. Thanks

Burnsy

REVS can be obtained free by phone in NSW from RTA.
I believe no annual roadworthiness test is required for rego in SA ??
If you are interested in a campervan there is a marketplace for these
in Sydney (at Kings Cross fountain) and Cairns (Melbourne?) where they
are sold by trippers who sit around for a coupla days gradually
lowering their prices (A$2000 to $5000) (a la Australia House).
Usually a dozen or so available. They have to have a recent certificate
to say they are roadworthy to be able to be displayed. Also good place
to sell when you go.
Bob

For the unwary there are a few traps.

Third party injury insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in
Australia, this covers you (the driver) if you cause injury to
another person(s). Generally the insurance does not cover you
if you are found to be at fault. Make sure you still have travel
insurance. The vehicle cannot be registered without either
a certificate of insurance or is included in the registration
charges.

The governments charge transfer fees based on the market value
of the vehicle - stamp duty.

Third party property insurance which covers you against
damage you cause to someone else's property is a completely
different thing, its not compulsory, but strongly adviseable if
you value your kneecaps and hit the wrong person. If you have
insurance in the UK and a no claims history bring proof with
you as you will get a discount here as well.

NSW has annual roadworthy tests which have to be valid when
the vehicle is sold - like the UK MOTs.

QLD and VIC only require the roadworthy tests before the vehicle
is sold. Its illegal for someone to sell a vehicle valued at more than
$1000 without a test certificate (RWC in Vic and Safety Cert in Qld).

All roadworthy tests should NOT be taken as a good indication of
the condition of the vehicle, get a motoring club inspection.

Each State has slightly different processes for buying and selling vehicles,
it can be a real pain the arse selling a vehicle in another State. The
paperwork for the buyer is doubled.

Most States have a proof of identity requiement, so make sure you have
your passport, driving licence and something with an Australian address.

Roger wrote:

For the unwary there are a few traps.

Third party injury insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in
Australia, this covers you (the driver) if you cause injury to
another person(s). Generally the insurance does not cover you
if you are found to be at fault.

?????

I suspect you have it the wrong way around Roger - my understanding is that 3rd
Party only covers you when you are at fault and cause injury - if you are not
at fault then the person you hurt has no claim on you.

David

"quietguy" wrote in message ...

Roger wrote:

For the unwary there are a few traps.
Third party injury insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in
Australia, this covers you (the driver) if you cause injury to
another person(s). Generally the insurance does not cover you
if you are found to be at fault.

?????
I suspect you have it the wrong way around Roger - my understanding is that 3rd Party only covers you when you are at fault and cause injury - if you are not at fault then the person you hurt has no claim on you.

David



Maybe I used too many "covers". Most States now exclude the driver

from receiving damages and medical expenses if they are at fault. It still

provides insurance protection for the driver to cover the other peoples

injuries even if he is at fault. Is that any clearer?

"scander" wrote in message
ps.com...
REVS can be obtained free by phone in NSW from RTA.
I believe no annual roadworthiness test is required for rego in SA ??
If you are interested in a campervan there is a marketplace for these
in Sydney (at Kings Cross fountain) and Cairns (Melbourne?) where they
are sold by trippers who sit around for a coupla days gradually
lowering their prices (A$2000 to $5000) (a la Australia House).
Usually a dozen or so available. They have to have a recent certificate
to say they are roadworthy to be able to be displayed. Also good place
to sell when you go.
Bob

Actually a good point about roadworthiness certificates... NSW has annual
inspections, I'm not sure if any other states do. (Anyone?) In theory at
least, that means that NSW cars have been restored to a reasonable condition
at least once a year, rather than being patched up with papier-mache and
spray-cans to pass the pre-sale inspection. It's not a guarantee, but it's a
little bit of a help. (NSW cars will sometimes bring higher prices when sold
interstate because of this.)

Dave Campbell

Roger wrote:



"quietguy"
wrote
in message
...

Roger wrote:

For the unwary there are a few traps.

Third party injury insurance is compulsory for all
vehicles in
Australia, this covers you (the driver) if you cause
injury to
another person(s). Generally the insurance does not cover
you
if you are found to be at fault.

?????

I suspect you have it the wrong way around Roger - my
understanding is that 3rd Party only covers you when you are
at fault and cause injury - if you are not at fault then the
person you hurt has no claim on you.

David



Maybe I used too many "covers". Most States now exclude the
driver

from receiving damages and medical expenses if they are at
fault. It still

provides insurance protection for the driver to cover the
other peoples

injuries even if he is at fault. Is that any clearer?


Not really. Except for the new legislation designed to ensure children
are covered whether or not the driver is at fault, 3rd party only
operates when the driver (owner?) is at fault. Eg if a tyre blows and
the car swerves and hits a pedestrian if a Court etc decides the driver
has done nothing wrong then the pedestrian has no claim on the driver
and thus no claim on the insurance company - no compensation.

Some companies do offer protection for the driver, but not all.

David

"Dave Campbell" wrote in message
...

"scander" wrote in message
ps.com...
REVS can be obtained free by phone in NSW from RTA.
I believe no annual roadworthiness test is required for rego in SA ??
If you are interested in a campervan there is a marketplace for these
in Sydney (at Kings Cross fountain) and Cairns (Melbourne?) where they
are sold by trippers who sit around for a coupla days gradually
lowering their prices (A$2000 to $5000) (a la Australia House).

Does that mean lowering the price to $2,000 - to $5,000, or lowering the
price by that much? Australian second hand vehicles have always seemed very
expensive to me, so I presume this is the amount they reduce them by.