The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is Australia's national database of financial interests over personal property — including vehicles. Before you buy any used car, running a PPSR check is essential.
What a PPSR Check Reveals
- Finance owing: Whether a lender has a security interest over the vehicle. If you buy a car with finance still outstanding, the lender may repossess it — even if you paid in good faith.
- Written-off status: Whether the car has been declared a statutory write-off (cannot be re-registered) or repairable write-off (can be re-registered but must be inspected).
- Stolen vehicle status: Cross-referenced with police records.
How to Run a PPSR Check
Visit ppsr.gov.au. You'll need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — a 17-character code found on the dashboard and driver's door jamb. The check costs $2.20 and results are instant.
Understanding the Results
A clean result shows "No security interests found." This is what you want. Any security interest listing means money is owed — do not proceed until the seller provides written evidence that the finance has been cleared.
PPSR vs CarHistory vs REVS Check
The PPSR is the official government register. "REVS check" is an older term from before the national register was unified — it now refers to the same PPSR. CarHistory and similar services bundle PPSR with additional data, but the core PPSR data is available directly for $2.20.
What PPSR Doesn't Tell You
PPSR doesn't reveal mechanical condition, service history, odometer accuracy or whether the car has been flood-affected. You still need a physical inspection and service history check alongside it.
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