How to find out the real history of a used car before you buy

• Car Advice, Used Cars,
• Apr 02, 2018

Are you looking at buying a used car and want to ensure that you make a good purchase? Well, then this post is for you. We take a look at how to find out the real history of a used car before you buy it using a car history report.

We have been in the business of helping car buyers get information and realize how important the information we provide truly is. We have seen what happens when buyers choose not to follow the right process and end up regretting it.

Buying a car can be an exciting experience. But, it could also turn out to be an expensive mistake if you don’t do your background checks. Let’s look at how to find out the real history of the car you plan to buy.

Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car means that you are getting a second-hand vehicle that has a history. Sometimes that history can be great – low mileage, dealer-only serviced, no accident history. With a used car like this, you know that you are getting a deal almost as if you’re buying a new car.

But this is not always the case with a used car. And when you are buying a car privately, you may only have the information from the seller to rely on. This has changed significantly over the years, especially with the introduction of PPSR Search and REVS Check for vehicles across Australia.

With these government-provided data, you can make better decisions about the vehicles you buy because you have access to relevant information before you put down any money.

Why is the Real History of a Used Car Important?

Would you buy a new laptop without checking out its specs and details? Would you get a washing machine without reviewing it online and getting all the details you can before making a final purchase? Now, if you would go through that process for something new, why would you do less for a second-hand item that costs even more?

Just like how you research an item online, ask questions, and look at its specifications before buying, you should follow a similar pattern when buying a used car. Just like how you get as much detail on an appliance before making a purchase, so too should you get as much reliable information on the second-hand car you want.

And it is easy to do this process because you have the tools at hand to give you the answers you need before you even think to ask them.

What do we consider important car history information?

The real car history report carries essential details you should know before you buy a second-hand car. And when you get these details from official sources such as the government of Australia, then you know that you are getting the best data to make an informed decision.

Take a look at some of the information that comes from delving into the history of a used car.

• Write-Off Check

Wouldn’t you want to know if the vehicle you intend to buy was written off before? Isn’t knowing whether the car had a repairable write-off versus a total loss important? We are sure this information would affect your decision to buy or not and even how much you would be willing to pay.

• Finance Check

We cannot stress this enough. You should find out if the car you plan to buy has financing owing on it. Unless you know and confirm whether it will be paid off before you get possession, you stand to lose the vehicle if the person you bought it from defaults on their payment.

• Stolen Status

We would like to think that knowing whether you are getting a stolen car is an essential detail to have before buying.

How to get the Real Car History?

A PPSR Search. And access to government collected data in one central place.

A PPSR search helps buyers get all the information we discussed above so that they can get to know the car before they buy. And this information is often provided through official government channels.

The government collects information on all vehicles in Australia with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This data is then collated from a variety of registries and made available for a fee. You can then access this information. If you want a simple to read and readily accessible car history report plus an official government issues PPSR certificate, then you should run a PPSR search through Quick Revs.

Ready for your Car History Report?

Are you going to get the car history report, or will you become a statistic?

Getting the full history of a used car before you hand over your hard-earned cash is important. Don’t become another statistic and sad story. Don’t be one of the many unlucky buyers retelling tales of buying cars privately and getting a lemon or losing the vehicle and your money.

Let Quick Revs help you get a full car history report with our PPSR Search.