Is a PPSR check enough for used car buying?

The problem is that many buyers rush through the car-buying process. They complete just a PPSR check, and then hand over their cash without understanding what a PPSR check requires.

So let’s clear things up. We will explain what a PPSR check can show you. We will also discuss its limits. Finally, we will help you decide if you can trust the PPSR report when buying a used car.

The PPSR is a national register of security interests in personal property. It applies to cars, trucks, campers, boats, bikes, and other assets. A PPSR Car History Check Australia will give you:

• Encumbrance status (i.e., money still owing on the vehicle)
• Write-off history
• Theft status
• Registration and VIN
• REVS check (state-based history)

Okay, now for the hard truth. The answer is yes and no. Performing a PPSR check is essential, but a PPSR report alone is not sufficient.

Let’s take an analogy. Checking the expiry date on a carton of milk is useful. It tells you the absolute minimum information you need to know before purchase. The same is true with a used car check.

A PPSR report, in particular, does not tell you:

• Detailed accident history
• Mechanical condition or issues
• Service records
• Odometer rollback or tampering
• Past insurance claims
• Logbook authenticity

A used car may pass a PPSR scan. But it may still have hidden vehicle buying risks that can later lead to expensive repairs and headaches.

The PPSR report may seem unnecessary in the beginning but that’s not the case, it has value. Here are the areas it can reliably inform you about, and why it’s important.

1. Encumbrance Check

Buying a car that still has a finance owed can get you into significant financial trouble. If the dealer repossesses the car, you lose, even if you paid in full cash. A PPSR check can confirm that the seller is the legal owner of the vehicle. It also shows if there are any debts attached.

2. Theft Status

Did you know it’s possible to buy a stolen car? Without a PPSR check, you might not realize that the vehicle you’re buying has a stolen report. Keep in mind that you can report stolen vehicles after the fact. You might unknowingly drive off a car that the police can seize and charge you with possession.

3. VIN Report

• Cloned cars (fake plates on stolen vehicles)
• Rebirthing (secret repairs and recycled theft history)
• Rebirthing (secret repairs and recycled theft history)

4. REVS Check

State-based vehicle registries once provided a report similar to the PPSR. These reports were known as REVS. Today, the PPSR has superseded the REVS databases. So, a PPSR report will now include vehicle encumbrance data for all states and territories of Australia.Checking VINs ensures the vehicle matches the official vehicle registry. This helps to protect you from:

What a PPSR Check Doesn’t Reveal

This is where most used car buyers go wrong. They fail to see that a basic PPSR Car History Report may be missing important information.

In particular, these are some red flags that a PPSR will not show you:

Manipulating the odometer (mileage) is illegal but still common. A PPSR report will show how many miles are on the car. But it won’t tell you if the odometer has been tampered with.

A PPSR report only reveals write-offs, not other accidents or repairs. Smaller accidents or panel damage may not appear in the PPSR report unless it is considered a write-off.

In this case, insurance claims or panel damage may go unreported. It is necessary that this element is considered and verified thoroughly.

Maintenance and servicing data are an important component of a used car check. Regular servicing and maintenance increase the value of a used car.

PPSR does not include this service data. Well, you won’t know if someone serviced the car regularly or if someone ever changed a critical service like the timing belt.

Damage to brakes, engine issues, or safety features (airbags, etc) are not in the PPSR database. The only way to know is by inspection.

You’ll need an independent mechanic or certified inspection to know the vehicle is free of safety hazards.

What You Should Do Instead

If you want to make a smart used car purchase, you need a multi-layered approach that goes beyond a PPSR check.

Here are the things you should do.

Despite what we just said, this should still be your first step. It is the bare minimum check that you can get out of the way. The PPSR check will provide you with all the basic details that is required to be known

Purchase a detailed used car report. We recommend Checknbuy’s history report for the following reasons.

Checknbuy includes extended data not in the standard PPSR

• Includes odometer trends
• Accident and insurance write-offs
• Service records (where available)
• Registration details
• VIN verification
• Ownership history

These give you a better view of the car than a PPSR car history report.

Your used car check may give you all green lights. However, only a trained mechanic can spot certain issues.

Go for an independent mechanical inspection or hire your mechanic to assess the car you’re thinking of buying.

Fraudulent sellers often fake their identity and ownership of the vehicle. Verify their ID and logbook, and then try to match the name on the sale documents. Don’t allow the sale to go through unless their details match across all areas.

We can’t say for sure why some second-hand car sellers feel entitled to deceive you. The best guesses are that it comes down to “Rationalisation”. A clean PPSR report makes some sellers feel “safe”. It gives them the credibility of being in sale of authentic vehicle.

Service logs are not just information, but they are proof of the car being taken care of. If your second hand car didn’t have its belt changed on time, then expect a heavy bill. If you didn’t get proof for oil change, stay prepared for engine trouble.

A PPSR check may not be in a position to cover all the elements that are required for the car. But you can verify the service records to be extra cautious. You can enquire for records and cross verify with the existing PPSR Report to get a clear picture

If you search online, you will discover a wide range of companies that offer PPSR checks for Australia. The difficulty is that most sites only do the basic PPSR check. You must compare what features each site offers, beyond just the PPSR check.

Many buyers mistakenly view a clean PPSR report as a guarantee of security. However, it's important to understand that documentation alone cannot provide complete assurance. You can run a PPSR check 100 times, it still won’t show squeaky brakes, stiff steering wheel, water in the boot, or dodgy paneling.

The PPSR report creates a sense of security that everything is fine. This is dangerous if you haven’t done your research. Buyers often become overly eager when the purchase price meets their expectations.

When the price seems right, minor defects, vague answers, and missing paperwork are often overlooked. We've seen it happen time and time again.

At ChecknBuy, we provide comprehensive history checks, including accident reports, odometer readings, and ownership records specifically designed for Australian used car buyers. Trust our tools, not seller promises. Get in touch with us today for peace of mind.

Is a PPSR Check Mandatory?

Legally, no. However, we consider it strongly recommended. By skipping a PPSR check, you risk unknowingly buying a car with outstanding finance.

REVS was the older state-based reporting system. PPSR replaced it in 2012. PPSR is now the primary repository that manages national-level records, including REVS records.