Used Car Buying Checklist: What to Verify, Bring, and Do Before and After Your SA Purchase
When buying a used car in Australia, the essentials to check are the car's paperwork and history: run a PPSR search on the VIN, confirm the service logbook and registration details match the vehicle, and in South Australia read and sign the CBS SA Form 1 before the contract. After you buy, transfer the registration, pay your stamp duty through RevenueSA, and make sure your insurance is active before you drive away.
How to Use This Checklist
This is a buying a used car checklist built around the part of the process buyers most often rush or forget: verification, paperwork and admin. It is designed to be printed or saved on your phone and worked through in order, so you can buy used cars safely whether this is your first purchase or your fifth.
- This used car checklist covers what to verify, what to bring, and what to do, not the hands-on physical inspection of the car.
- For the physical inspection (engine, panels, test drive), see our guide on how to inspect a used car.
- For the full buying journey from setting a budget to handover, see our First Time Buyers Guide to Used Cars.
Phase 1: Before You Visit (Do This at Home First)
Smart buyers do their homework before leaving the house. Working through these steps at home first means you arrive informed and avoid wasted trips across Adelaide.
- Set your full budget. Include all on-road costs: the purchase price plus RevenueSA stamp duty, the DPTI transfer fee, insurance and your first service.
- Research the model. Search "[make model year] common problems" and read owner forums so you know the faults to look out for.
- Get finance pre-approved. If you plan to use external finance, arrange pre-approval through your bank so you know your true budget before you shop.
- Run a PPSR check. Use ppsr.gov.au and the VIN (the 17-character number on the listing) to confirm there is no money owing, the car is not stolen and it has no written-off history. It costs about $2.
- Check the dealer's licence. Confirm the CBS SA licence on the Licensing Public Register at cbs.sa.gov.au.
- Read the listing closely. Does it say "sold as is"? Does it include a statutory warranty? What is the listed price compared with the drive-away price?
| The PPSR double-checkA licensed SA dealer must guarantee clear title, but PPSR records can change and debt can be added to a vehicle after the dealer ran its own check. For around $2 at ppsr.gov.au you can run your own search, then run it again on the day you buy. It takes two minutes and it is the cheapest insurance in the whole process. |
Phase 2: At the Dealer — What to Check and What to Ask
This is the verification layer. At the yard your job is to check the documents and get clear answers, not just to look over the car. For the hands-on checks, follow the physical inspection guide linked above.
Documents to Request and Verify
- Service logbook. Confirm all stamps are present, at regular intervals, and consistent with the car's age and odometer reading.
- Registration papers. The VIN and engine number on the paperwork must match the numbers stamped on the car.
- PPSR search certificate. The dealer should provide one. Check that it matches your own search.
- Statutory warranty scope. Ask the dealer to explain in plain language what is covered, what is not, and for how long.
| Read the Form 1 before you signThe Form 1 is one of the most important pieces of paper in a South Australian used car sale, and one of the most frequently skimmed. It lists, in plain language, every known defect the dealer is not obliged to repair under the statutory warranty. Once you sign it, you are agreeing that you understand those defects. Before you put pen to paper, read every item and ask what it means for the car's safety, reliability and future repair costs. |
Questions to Ask the Dealer
- Has this vehicle been in an accident? Has it ever been written off or flood damaged?
- What does your preparation centre check before listing, and what repairs were carried out on this car?
- Is there any outstanding recall on this vehicle? (You can also check the ACCC product safety portal.)
- Can I take this car to my own mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection before signing? A trustworthy dealer will say yes.
Not sure how to confirm a yard is properly licensed? Our guide to Adelaide's trusted used car dealers walks through the checks.
Phase 3: What to Bring on the Day
Forgetting paperwork on the day causes delays and can stop you completing the purchase altogether. Pack these before you head in.
- Current driver's licence. Photo ID for identity verification and any finance application.
- Finance pre-approval letter. Bring this if you are using your own bank.
- Trade-in documents. Registration papers and ownership paperwork for the car you are trading in.
- Your PPSR search result. Printed or saved on your phone.
- A phone or notebook. Record any verbal commitments the dealer makes, and make sure these are also confirmed in writing.
Phase 4: After the Purchase — Post-Sale Checklist
Many buyers think the process ends at handover. In South Australia, a few post-sale steps carry penalties if you miss them.
| Avoid the registration transfer fineThe handover is done, you have the keys, and you are on a high. Then, six weeks later, a fine arrives because the registration was never properly transferred into your name. When you buy from a licensed SA dealer, the dealer must notify DPTI within three business days, but you still need to pay the stamp duty and transfer fee. At handover, ask the dealer exactly what they handle and what is left for you to do. |
- Registration transfer. For a licensed dealer sale, the dealer notifies DPTI within three business days. You pay the stamp duty and transfer fee through RevenueSA or at a Service SA centre. Confirm at handover precisely what the dealer handles and what you must do.
- Insurance. Confirm comprehensive insurance is active before you drive away. At a minimum, CTP must be active for the vehicle. Many dealers will not release a car until insurance is confirmed.
- Check for recalls. Search the ACCC product safety recall portal using the make and model.
- Note the warranty dates. Record the warranty start and end dates, or the kilometre limit, shown on your contract.
- Read the owner's manual. Familiarise yourself with the service schedule, dashboard warning lights and the car's features.
- If a fault appears under warranty. Contact the dealer in writing (email is fine). If it is not resolved, you can escalate through the CBS SA online complaint tool.
SA-Specific Admin Quick Reference
| Item | What It Is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp Duty | An SA Government tax on the transfer of vehicle ownership, based on the purchase price or market value (whichever is higher). | RevenueSA stamp duty calculator at revenuesa.sa.gov.au |
| Registration Transfer | Transfer of the vehicle registration into your name. For dealer sales, the dealer notifies DPTI within three business days. | A Service SA centre or online via sa.gov.au |
| Form 1 (Notice of Defects) | A CBS SA disclosure document listing defects not covered by warranty. Must be read and signed before the contract. | Provided by the licensed dealer |
| PPSR Check | Confirms the car has no money owing, is not stolen and has no written-off history. | ppsr.gov.au (about $2 per search using the VIN) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to buy a used car in SA?
You will need photo identification (a driver's licence or passport), proof of finance if you have been pre-approved, and ideally your own PPSR search result. The dealer provides the contract of sale, the Form 1 disclosure document and a PPSR certificate. You will also need to pay stamp duty through RevenueSA and the DPTI transfer fee.
What is the Form 1 when buying a used car in SA?
The Form 1 is a CBS SA disclosure document that a licensed dealer must give you before the sale. It lists any known defects that are not covered by the statutory warranty. Both the buyer and the dealer sign it before the contract. Read it carefully, because it limits what the dealer is liable to repair under warranty.
What is stamp duty on a used car in SA?
Stamp duty is a South Australian Government tax on the transfer of vehicle ownership. It is calculated on the purchase price or the market value, whichever is higher. Rates change, so use the RevenueSA stamp duty calculator at revenuesa.sa.gov.au for the current figure.
What do I do if a dealer in SA does not repair a fault under warranty?
Contact the dealer in writing with the details of the fault. If it is not resolved, use the CBS SA online complaint tool at cbs.sa.gov.au. If you suffer a financial loss because of the dealer's conduct, you may be eligible to claim from the Second-hand Vehicles Compensation Fund.
Buy With Confidence
A thorough buyer is a protected buyer. Work through this used car purchase checklist in sequence and you will reach handover knowing the paperwork is sound and nothing has been missed. When you are ready, browse inspected stock from one of Adelaide's most trusted used car dealers, or contact our Adelaide used car dealership to talk through a specific vehicle.