Have you looked online for a car to buy? Do you restrict your search to your local area or have you searched across Australia and found your dream car in another state? Many car buyers in Australia find their perfect car in another state and safely buy it without hassle. Some people are happy to fly to their destination and drive their new car home, but some people want the car without the long distances to drive that we have in our beautiful country. So, how to buy a car interstate? Here are our tips for buying a car interstate and how to get it home safely.
How do I find a car in another state?
There are a few ways you can find your next car interstate if you can’t find anything suitable local to you. Online searches on websites like carsales.com.au are an easy way to quickly search in specific or wide areas for your ideal car for private and dealer car sale listings. You can also buy directly from an interstate dealer or use an online car auction site.
Do I buy privately or through an interstate car dealer?
Buying privately interstate is similar to buying locally to you with a private seller. You should take precautions to ensure you know what you are buying and have good communication with the seller so you are both on the same page about the car and sales terms.
Finding the perfect second-hand car through an interstate dealer can be a great idea because it will be protected by a warranty just like if you were buying from a dealer near you.
Are online auctions for buying a car interstate safe?
Online car auctions are an increasingly popular option for finding a great car. With new car supply and demand issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are buying second-hand cars in Australia. Checking out online car auctions can be a great way to widen your search. Make sure you do your research on the auction platform and that you are dealing with a licensed auctioneer. Be aware of whether second-hand-warranty is offered and if it is not, that you are informed before the sale.
How do I inspect the car I want to buy when it is in another state?
If you find a car interstate that is just over the border from you, then inspecting the vehicle might be an easy drive to where the car is. But, if it’s further away from you, there are pre-purchase vehicle inspection services offered in every state from the major motoring associ such as NRMA in NSW, RACQ in Queensland and RACV in Victoria.
You can search online yourself for a number of checks to ensure the car is not stolen or encumbered with debt through Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).
How do I get my new car home?
When making your choice of a car to buy interstate, you need to decide if you will fly or drive with another person to pick up the car, if you’ll get someone else to drive it to you, or if you will pay for the cost of freighting it back to your home state.
When choosing to have your car transported with a professional car carrier, there are a number of things to look for in finding the right company for you.
The main things to look for when choosing a vehicle transport provider are:
- the transport options they provide – do you need door-to-door service? Depot-to-depot? Or a mix of the two?
- the geographic area they service – do their transport routes service your pick up and delivery locations?
- that they are insured and communicate any extra requirements from you
- that they provide excellent customer service and a reliable process for vehicle inspections prior to transporting your car
Anything else I need to know when buying a car interstate?
Ensure you do your research for insurances, registration and any paperwork you need between states. State-based rules vary depending where you buy your car from, but the good news is that information is readily available on the state government transport website applicable for each state.
When you find your dream car interstate and want to car transport interstate Australia, call 1800 Move Cars on 1800 668 322 to safely get your new car home between Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria. You can also conveniently get in touch with us online.
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