How to avoid buying a damaged car

There are several stages to this process but it boils down to: use your eyes and common sense when scrutinising the vehicle, inside and out; and gain access to any and all available and relevant paperwork pertaining to the vehicle’s history.

When might you want to check if a car has been in an accident?

Before you lay down any hard-earned cash for it, obviously. Forearmed is forewarned, etc.

How readily available is this information in Australia?

Depending on which state or territory you reside in, applying for a vehicle history report may differ slightly, but the process itself is generally straightforward and the underlying principle remains the same: to document any collisions or other factors that the potential new owner should be aware of.

Again, depending on which state or territory you currently reside in, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to apply for a vehicle history report.

It’s also worthwhile obtaining a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check. The PPSR is the single national register for motor vehicle encumbrances.

“If you are buying a second-hand vehicle privately, you should check the vehicle's VIN on the PPSR to see if it might be repossessed,” the PPSR states.

“You will also get other useful information about the vehicle including any available records of police interest in the vehicle and whether the vehicle is recorded as having been written off.”

After completing all of these tasks, get a roadworthy inspection/compliance check done on the vehicle by a government-authorised vehicle inspector or at a government-approved vehicle inspection facility.

Here’s a state by state/territory breakdown of how to check car accident history.

Australian Capital Territory

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

Do an in-person check, then if you’re still keen on the vehicle in question, apply for its vehicle registration records through Access Canberra (either in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre or via by email), do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), and you can also pay a business that specialises in compiling vehicle history reports to provide you with a thorough check of the vehicle you’re interested in. This is how to check if a car has been written off.

ACT rego checks can be done through the Access Canberra website. You’ll need to type the vehicle’s number plate details into the search box.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes. An in-person visual check of the vehicle, as well as apply for vehicle registration records, a PPSR check, and a vehicle history report (which may include a car accident check).

What will you need to have to determine accident history?

Again, depending on which state or territory you currently reside in, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a vehicle history report (which encompasses a car accident history report) and a credit card to pay.

New South Wales

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

Do an in-person check, then if you’re still keen on the vehicle in question, do a free registration check and a check of the vehicle's history through Service NSW online, do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), and you can also pay a business (there are plenty online) which specialises in compiling vehicle history reports to provide you with a thorough check of the vehicle you’re interested in.

As per Service NSW’s website:

For a fee, the Service NSW vehicle history report includes:

If and why the vehicle was written-off anywhere in Australia from 2004. If the vehicle, its number plates or its engine are stolen. The number of registered operators in NSW. The vehicle's past use, for example, as a taxi/hire car. If the vehicle has single/joint registered operators. The vehicle's first registration date in NSW. The past three odometer readings (if applicable).

Fees do apply. As an example, we were quoted $26 for a vehicle history report on a 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes. As mentioned, do an in-person visual check of the vehicle, as well as apply for vehicle registration records through Service NSW, get a PPSR check, and a vehicle history report (which may include a car accident check).

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

Depending on which state or territory you currently reside in, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a vehicle history report (which encompasses a car accident history report), and a credit card to pay.

Northern Territory

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

Do a thorough in-person check, then if you’re still keen on the vehicle in question, do a free registration check through the NT government website or on the NT Rego app, do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), and you can also pay a business to provide you with a thorough check of the vehicle you’re interested in – there are plenty online which specialise in compiling vehicle history reports.

To obtain a car damage report on an interstate plate number, you must contact the relevant state or territory’s vehicle registration authority, or use a car accident check online service.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes. As mentioned, do a thorough in-person visual check of the vehicle, as well as apply for vehicle registration records through nt.gov.au, get a PPSR check, and a vehicle history report (which may help to answer the question: has my car been in an accident?).

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

You’ll likely need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a vehicle history report, and a credit card to pay any fees that may apply.

Queensland

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

There’s nothing like a thorough going-over with your own eyeballs of a potential vehicular purchase, then do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), and you can also pay a business to provide you with a thorough check of the vehicle you’re interested in – there are plenty online which specialise in compiling vehicle history reports.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes, as well as the above steps, the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads recommends that you should also check the “number plate, construction date, vehicle identification number and engine number on the registration certificate all match the vehicle exactly—you can match this against the vehicle’s VIN plate and check if the vehicle has a current Queensland safety certificate or a certificate of inspection".

Handwritten safety certificates must be displayed on the vehicle. Some approved inspection stations now issue safety certificates electronically.

In this case the certificate doesn't need to be displayed on the vehicle, but if requested, the seller must produce the certificate so you can ensure it is valid.

This could be a printed copy, or via an electronic method like a smartphone, tablet or computer, providing information including:

If you’re involved in an accident with another vehicle and you want to check its history, you will have to apply for a written release of information about that vehicle, so you will need to complete a Release of Information Request for Vehicle/Queensland Regulated Ship Registration Records (F3522) and provide one of the following:

You will then need to lodge these documents at a transport and motoring customer service centre or an authorised Queensland Government Agent Program office. A fee will apply.

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

You’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a vehicle history report, and a credit card to pay any fees that may apply.

South Australia

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

Do an in-person check, then if you’re still keen on the vehicle, request details about the vehicle (including a car, caravan, motorcycle or trailer) through Service SA. However, as Service SA states, “basic information can be requested online or by phone … detailed information can only be requested in writing”. The free registration check includes:

Service SA says, “A generic message will display if the registration is currently suspended, stolen, defected or has a written off incident recorded. Specific details are not included.”

Information that can be released over the phone to a registered owner or third party includes:

To find out basic vehicle information, call Service SA on 13 10 84.

Following those steps, do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), then pay a business to provide you with a thorough check of the vehicle you’re interested in – there are plenty online which specialise in compiling vehicle history reports.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes, see above.

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

For free checks, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a vehicle history report, and for services that come at a cost, you’ll need those details (vehicle registration and/or VIN), and a credit card to pay any fees that may apply.

Tasmania

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

Scrutinise the vehicle with your own eyes, then if you’re still interested in buying it, use the Tasmanian Government's free Vehicle Registration Check to check vehicle details and expiry date, then have a PPSR report done and, finally, if you’re still keen, pay any one of the many businesses online to provide you with a thorough vehicle history report.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes, see above.

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

For any free checks, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a basic vehicle history report, and for any services that come at a cost but provide more information about the vehicle, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN, and a credit card to pay any fees that may apply.

Western Australia

How can you check if a car has been in an accident?

A visual in-person check will hopefully reveal any obvious or not-so-obvious issues with the vehicle. Failing that, a WA rego check will reveal “if a car has been deemed a "write-off" (meaning it was severely damaged in an accident) and other important details like registration status, expiry date, and inspection dates,” WA’s Department of Transport states.

Beyond those methods, do a PPSR check which costs $2.00 (at time of writing), then pay a business to provide you with a thorough vehicle history report of the actual vehicle you’re thinking about buying.

Are there multiple ways to find out this kind of information in this state?

Yes, see above.

What will you need to have to find out accident history?

For any free checks, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN to apply for a basic vehicle history report, and for any services that come at a cost but provide more information about the vehicle, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration and/or VIN, and a credit card to pay any fees that may apply.