Selling Your Car in Perth & Western Australia

Selling a car does entail numerous steps. But luckily, it’s pretty straightforward in Western Australia. There are rules that you need to comply with just like anywhere else. However, there are just a few and generally easy to follow.

We recommend that you first have a formal valuation, which allows you to set a reasonable price for yourself and the buyer. You will also need to take some photos to show the potential buyer the condition of the vehicle.

Once you have found the buyer, the next step is to seal the deal. As you go through the process, make sure that you do not forget about the legalities involved to keep the whole transaction safe and lawful.

Is a Roadworthiness Check Required?

Here’s the good news for car sellers in WA. Unlike other Australian states and territories, you don’t need to be bothered by a roadworthiness check. The responsibility is on the buyer to perform an assessment and determine whether or not the car they intend to buy is roadworthy.

What about Other Documents?

You’re required to complete the transfer paperwork, which you will then have to send to the Department of Transport. The paperwork consists of the document for transferring ownership of the car. For an easier and more convenient way, head to DoTDirect where you can create an account (if you haven’t done so) to make transfers, as well as check vehicle registration and driver’s licence. Alternatively, you can visit the Document Verification Services (DVS) Centre or contact an agent.

You’re required to contact DoT within a week of selling your car to avoid penalties. Buyers are required to advise the DoT within 14 days of buying the vehicle.

At this point, it is helpful to have certain documents ready just in case. Some essential papers that you should prepare include:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate: This certificate should be the latest. It helps to have extra copies of the document.
• Proof of Identity: It’s useful if you have proof of identity ready, especially your proof of car ownership, driver’s licence, and other types of ID with your photo in them. If someone is selling your vehicle on your behalf, they should have a copy of your IDs, as well, especially your driver’s licence.
• Agreement: This document is not legally required but can help you in many ways. Once an individual agrees to buy your vehicle, make sure the deal is put in writing. This agreement should include your name, contact details, and address, among others, along with the buyer’s personal information. It should also describe the vehicle briefly, its registration number, price, deposit amount, payment method, and the date when the agreement was made. You should also include the date of transaction, as well as inclusions like stereo system if any.
• Receipt: The law requires you to provide a receipt of the purchase to the buyer. Remember that all purchases more than $75 should be recorded with a receipt. If you have no receipt ready, you can simply use any piece of paper. However, it should bear all the pertinent details of the transaction, including your name and the buyer’s name, as well as the date and price.
• Owner’s Manual: Give the manual to the new owner. Your glove box should always contain this document, so it should be easy for you to find it no matter how old your car may be.
• Warranty: If the car is still under warranty from the manufacturer or dealer, give the warranty documents to the buyer.

Now, let us talk some more about the transfer of ownership. While you’re not required to provide the roadworthiness check for the buyer, you must tell the registration authority that you no longer own the car. Some details that you need to provide are the new owner’s address and contact information. Note that the address should be a residential address, not their box number at the post office. Don’t skip the step of validating the buyer’s driver’s licence and check that the details they have given you match what’s in the ID.

When you have the buyer’s information, you’re allowed to inform the DoT regarding the transfer that very same day, so you do not forget. If you fail to contact the department and give the proper notice, you could end up dealing with the loss of demerit points if the buyer or someone else happened to drive past the speed limit. You might also pay the fines even if you no longer use that vehicle.

Upon obtaining the change of ownership form called MR9, make sure that you give a copy to the buyer. The one in red is the purchaser’s copy, while the blue one is for you, the seller. The next step is to hand the vehicle licence document to the buyer, as well as other relevant papers. You can obtain the vehicle licence document or rego through your DoTDirect account or buy it straight from the DoTDirect website after logging in.

If your car is subject to a concession, it’s required by law that you tell the buyer about it. This is because the buyer has to restore the vehicle licence at its full rate before driving it on the road. The vehicle licence is invalid at this point, and the buyer is still not allowed to drive the vehicle until the full restoration has been achieved.

And you’re all set!

Still cannot find a good buyer? We’re here to make things easier for you. Contact We Want Your Car WA, and we’ll give you an offer you can’t resist.