Acquiring a used car from a seller

You must get a signed and dated statement whenever you accept a used car from a seller.

This will be the same if you acquire the vehicle by:

• buying it from the seller
• having it on consignment.

You don’t need to do this if you’re acquiring from:

• your financier (such as when you pay off a loan to your bank)
• another motor dealer
• a motor vehicle auctioneer.

Seller’s details

You must get details of the seller. This includes their:

• name and address
• driver's licence number.

If you are an auctioneer , they must include their reserve price.

Vehicle details

They must also give you details of the vehicle. This includes its:

• make, model and colour
• identifying details
• history.

Identifying details

You must get the vehicle’s identifying details, including:

• its engine number (or chassis number if it’s a caravan)
• its identification number
• its registration number
• the build date.

Vehicle history

They must include the details of the vehicle history, including:

• its odometer reading (both in words and figures)
• if the odometer has ever been replaced
• if the engine has ever been replaced (including the date, if known).

They must also tell you if the vehicle has a mortgage or security attached to it. This must include:

• how much is still owing
• who the lender is.

You must guarantee clear title on a vehicle before you can sell it.