Buying some wheels?

Before buying your dream wheels, consider what’s involved and do your research. This checklist will help make the process a little easier.

Obtain your car or motorbike licence.

Consider what you need a vehicle (car, ute, motorbike, or moped) for. Do you need a lot of space or just something to get around in? New and used cars can often cost more than it would to catch a taxi or use public transport over a period of time.

In setting a budget consider that while an older vehicle may be cheaper than recent or new models, ongoing repairs and maintenance may be higher. To find out the market value of a vehicle, visit http://www.redbook.com.au/*. The RACQ website* has additional information about vehicle running costs.

Remember that cars manufactured after 1986 run on unleaded fuel, which is cheaper than lead replacement fuel.

Consider all avenues for finding your dream vehicle – websites, car yards, private sales, car magazines, newspapers and trading posts, auctions, or via a broker.

Get an independent mechanical inspection before you buy.

Consider how much time is left on the registration certificate. You may have to pay more money soon. The Queensland Transport website has more information about registration fees and compulsory third party insurers.

Compulsory third party insurance is included in your registration fee. You have the option to choose from compulsory third party insurance companies prior to each registration period.

Queensland Transport provides options to pay vehicle registration in either six or 12 month terms. Phone 13 23 80^† or visit the Queensland Transport website for more information.

Comprehensive insurance, third party fire and theft insurance, or third party property insurance? Decide which is best for you by considering what risks are involved. For example, do you need a car to travel to your job or to do your job?

Purchase a Vcheck (vehicle information check) certificate. This offers those planning to buy a second-hand vehicle a quick and easy way to obtain important information before making a purchase. Such as whether there is any money owing to a finance company or bank on the vehicle, if it has previously been written off or is reported as stolen. If buying from a dealer, they are required to produce a REVs (register of encumbered vehicles) certificate on the day of sale which confirms whether the vehicle has a clear title (no money owing) and not stolen. A Vcheck certificate can be purchased for a car, truck, caravan, trailer, bus or motorcycle manufactured on or after 1 January 1989.

If buying a used registered vehicle, a current safety certificate must be displayed by either the dealer or private seller.

While there are several buying options available, buying from reputable licensed car dealer offers you the greatest legal protection.

When buying from a dealer, you will:

receive a REVs (register of encumbered vehicles) certificate. Note: some may provide a Vcheck instead which provides more information

see a current safety certificate displayed

receive a one or three month statutory warranty, depending on the age of the vehicle

have a one business day cooling off period if you haven’t taken possession of the vehicle for any other reason than to test drive or get an inspection.

The buyer and seller of a registered vehicle must complete a Transfer of Vehicle Registration Application form (F3520) and pay a fee. This form is available from the Queensland Transport website.

To avoid some of the common consumer pitfalls you may face when buying or maintaining a car, visit the Office of Fair Trading’s “Get out there” guide available from www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au for more information on:

upfront and ongoing costs and getting the cash to buy

getting the right vehicle for you

buying the right car from a dealer or privately

making the deal.

Free2Go and RACQ roadside assistance/motoring club membership

RACQ offers free membership to year 11 and 12 students and 16 and 17 year olds in Queensland under the Free2Go program. For more information on Free2Go's free2travel, free2save, free2move, free2bargain visit www.free2go.com.au*. For those 18 years or over, visit www.racq.com.au* for roadside assistance and motoring club membership.

^† Operates Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays. Local call charge in Australia. Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. For international callers phone +61 7 3834 2011 this service operates Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays.

* The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.

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