Why the ACT roadworthy isn't enough
Transferring ACT rego on a car over 6 years old needs a roadworthy inspection. That's useful, but Access Canberra is clear that it doesn't check mechanical reliability, general condition or extras such as the air conditioning.
So a pass tells you the brakes, tyres, lights and seatbelts were fine on the day. It says nothing about a worn clutch, an engine using oil or an automatic that's starting to slip. That's the gap a pre-purchase inspection fills.
Buying a used car around Canberra
Cars from Queanbeyan or Sydney
Queanbeyan sits in NSW, so a car bought privately there counts as an interstate purchase. If it's 10 years old or less, the ACT wants a vehicle identity inspection as well as the roadworthy inspection before it goes on ACT rego. Any car moving from interstate rego to ACT rego needs the roadworthy inspection.
Where the car has been
The snow fields and Batemans Bay are each about two hours away, and Namadgi National Park, almost half the ACT, has unsealed roads. Ask the seller how the car was used, and ask the mechanic to look underneath for knocks, leaks and signs of towing.
Kangaroo strikes
The ACT Government warns that kangaroos cross roads most at dawn, dusk and night. A repaired front end isn't a reason to walk away, but the mechanic should confirm the radiator, its mounts and the headlights were put right.
What a good pre-purchase inspection covers
- The engine, the cooling system and any leaks underneath.
- The transmission and clutch, on a road test long enough to warm the car through.
- Suspension, steering, wheels and tyres.
- Brakes, which RACV inspects in more detail on 4WDs, SUVs and bigger cars.
- Electrical items, including the battery and charging.
- The service book, read against the odometer.
- A written report, with a plain recommendation at the end.
Do the paperwork checks too
Run a PPSR search on the VIN to see whether the car has been written off or stolen, or still has money owing on it. Consumer Protection WA also points out that a private sale isn't covered by the Australian Consumer Law, so the checks before you pay are the protection you get.
Then go through the service book. NRMA suggests ringing the mechanic or dealer who stamped it, to confirm the records line up.
Our take
We'd get the pre-purchase inspection done before agreeing a price, and leave the roadworthy until the sale is certain. If the car is in Queanbeyan or further into NSW, we'd check its age against the ACT's 10-year line too, because that decides whether the identity inspection is needed as well.