I've been looking at purchasing a vehicle in Australia to travel around with while on a working holiday visa. It seems a simple process normally.

I have seen quite a few vehicles that I would be interested in purchasing in an unroadworthy condition and doing up before travelling with. However the process seems impossible in this situation.

The way it is described, the seller can only sell in a roadworthy condition. I wouldn't want to do repairs to a vehicle I did not yet own. Also, I wouldn't want to have to require the previous owner to come back and finish the registration transfer a month later, after I'd bought it and done it up.

Can anyone explain the actual process involved?
Thanks
Storm

Although regs vary from one state to another, essentially there is not a lot of difference. Typically when registering a vehicle in your name after purchase, it must have a current RWC (road worthy certificate). The seller of the vehicle is not obliged to provide one upon sale of the vehicle. That does not preclude the buyer from getting the RWC. Depending upon condition of the vehicle (motorbike) that could be simple and straightforward to extensive. Essentially an inspector will look at the usual. Assuming the motorbike is in reasonable condition, they will be looking at brakes/pads, tyres, lights/indicators, wheel & head stem bairings, oil leaks and so it goes. Typically a bike offered for sale without a current RWC will be cheaper than one that is supplied with one, obviously because there will be a cost invloved. I hope this helps.

In Queensland and I think Victoria and South Australia, if a vehicle is sold with registration and registration plates still attached, the seller must supply a safety certificate, RWC, etc. The only time a vehicle in those states has to have a roadworthy inspection is when its offered for sale, in QLD the safety cert must be displayed once the vehicle is advertised for sale unless the ad says unregistered.
If sold unregistered, the seller must remove the plates and hand them into a police station or transport dept. office. If they dont remove the plates they are liable for fines, tolls, etc.
You can buy an unregistered vehicle permit to go from point of purchase to the place where you will keep it - permits are for one day periods and are expensive at about $90/day including third party injury insurance. Vehicle property damage has to be bought separately. Theoretically the vehicle has to be roadworthy even on a permit and you do agree to that. You have to buy another permit to have the vehicle inspected at an inspection station, and as long as it passes you can then go straight to get the registration completed. If it fails you have another permit to buy.
Usually vehicles sold without registration are substantially cheaper to cover the cost of bringing it upto standard, you had better get a copy of the state standard and work to that - most are available for download.
NSW is different in that they have annual roadworthy certificates so usually vehicles offered for sale will say that they have 3 months left before the inspection is due.
Vehicles to avoid are the ones that have been modified with lift kits, oversize wheels/tyres, some bullbars on newer vehicles, engine mods like turbos and noisy exhausts, suspension bushes can be an absolute nightmare without access to shop presses.
Beware of the grey imports that cant be brought to RWC standard as there are no parts supplied in this country.

A few tips that could save you significant effort and time.


If the car is unregistered because it has any structural rust etc then walk away you will have difficulty getting the road worthy certificates required for registration in all states.


If the car is unregistered because it is a write off you may not be able to register in any state. The are many cars that are classified as write offs because of hail (Storm) damage etc that not so reputable people try and sell to unsuspecting people. Once the car is purchased they can't register it. Depending on the state this may or may not be a problem. There is a write off register.. https://www.google.com/search?client...e+off+register


There are many decent cars that are unregistered simply because the owner is unable to afford the mechanical work required to get the car back on the road. If you have time you can use then looking around you can find some great cars very cheaply that only require one major piece of work (gearbox as an example) to get back on the road.


There are roadside assistance companies (NRMA in NSW, RACQ in QLD) that can do an inspection for a small fee. They know the rules in their states and can generally give you advice on if the car could pass road worthiness (or not).


Also make sure the car has an Australian compliance plate. If it doesn't have a compliance plate walk way. It was probably a grey import "for spare parts" and without the department of transport paperwork you'll be in for a world of pain that may never result in a register able car. (I had this problem with a grey import motorcycle in the late 90's into Aus not sure if it is still an issue today)



Note, this post doesn't say don't do it. Just make sure that you are informed and have the time required to do the job properly so you don't get stung by the Australian nanny state.