Guide to PPSR checks

A Personal Properties Security Register (PPSR) check is a screening process that allows potential buyers to better understand the outstanding debts (or ‘encumbrances’) that the property may be attached to.

The PPSR is an online register maintained by the Australian Government that also includes the Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVs), the state database that was previously used to perform REVs checks. Along with motor vehicles, you can also run PPSR checks against boats, art, inventory and other valuable assets.

A security interest (also known as a financial interest) is registered on an asset when a lender accepts a personal item from someone as collateral. For example, if the car you’re looking to purchase was used to secure a loan, and there’s still finance owing to that lender from its previous owner, that may count as a security interest.

A PPSR search provides you with information of a vehicle’s history that could help you make an informed decision when purchasing a car. Considering a car with a security interest could be repossessed at any point, a PPSR check may help you avoid this from happening.

Before you purchase a used vehicle from its previous owner, you should do a PPSR search to ensure it’s not still tied up in a financing agreement. It’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re purchasing something free from any claims from other entities.

It’s a good idea to do a PPSR car history check when you plan to purchase a second-hand car. With a simple PPSR check, you could have peace of mind that what you are buying is free of any other claims of ownership and has never been written off.

You can do a PPSR check by visiting the PPSR website and paying to perform an online self-service or a phone assisted check. The PPSR Car Check service will typically ask for the following information:

• The car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number
• Your email address
• Your payment details.

A comprehensive report is also available for a higher fee, but a regular PPSR report should provide most of the necessary information.

Along with the security interests on the vehicle, a PPSR search typically includes the car’s:

• Write-off or stolen vehicle status
• Details like make, model and original colour.

You’ll receive a PPSR certificate for your vehicle check as your record of results.

A PPSR search will not provide all the information you may be seeking about a vehicle and its history. Information that’s not available in a PPSR search includes:

• The car’s history of ownership
• The outstanding dollar amount on the vehicle
• The odometer reading
• Any outstanding fines.

A PPSR car check can be done instantly. As soon as you enter the rego number of the vehicle into the PPSR Car Check tool, you’ll receive a report.