What is a PPSR check?

If you're looking to buy a used car, that can come with some risks – that’s why you'll need a PPSR check to make sure the car you're buying is clear of any debt.

PPSR stands for Personal Property Securities Register, and it is a national digital database that will list valuable items that are used as security for a loan.

When a vehicle has a security claim, there is an outstanding loan where that vehicle is being used as assurance in case the debtor cannot make the repayments. 

It's important to note that when a person sells a vehicle, they do not need to disclose that it has any outstanding finance owing on it.

They can (if they choose to) withhold this information, and if you purchase the car, you may be financially responsible for paying off the loan. If payments on the car are stopped, it'll likely be repossessed by the lender and then sold to recover the outstanding loan amount. 

Unfortunately, many people are not open and honest when they're trying to sell a vehicle. The best way to avoid any issues when buying a car is to order a PPSR vehicle check.

Ordering a PPSR check can give you some peace of mind that the car you are looking at does not have outstanding debt or has been involved in any accidents.

What is a PPSR check?

A PPSR vehicle check was previously known as REVS or VIN check.

However, these systems did not provide a complete picture and were not linked. This means that if you did a REVS check NSW or a VIN check Victoria, you'd only see a report for cars from those states.

Naturally, this posed some problems, as dishonest people could register their vehicle in a different state, and so it was harder to get a clear history report. 

The PPSR check solved this by doing away with the old system and replacing it with a national database. Now, when you need to check on a car's history, it doesn't matter where it is registered or what state you're buying the car in; you can get the correct information. 

When you're looking up the details of a vehicle, not only will you receive a security check, but you can also receive other information about it.

For example, the PPSR registry is also connected to the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System, which can provide information on the current state of the car in question. Almost anything that has happened to the car (e.g., damage, insurance claims, etc.) will be reported to the registry. 

The PPSR is designed to protect consumers (and businesses) from buying a problematic vehicle. If a vehicle is shown to have a lien against it, you can choose to continue with the purchase or walk away. If the seller has not discussed the fact that there is money owing on their property (which is their right), it may show they are not being honest.

How long does a PPSR check take?

One of the best things about the PPSR check is that it does not take long to complete. You'll need some information about the item you're checking, and then you'll have access to your report in only a few minutes. As the report is ordered online, you can enter the details from almost any location, and it'll be sent directly to your nominated email address. 

All you need to get a PPSR check completed on any vehicle is the rego number and the vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

It is possible to obtain a PPSR vehicle check with either the VIN or rego, but having both ensures you have the right vehicle. However, as you only need the rego number, it means you can check on the car before you even head out to have a look at it in person. Once you've entered the information and we’ve processed your payment, you'll be provided with the PPSR report.

How to check PPSR online?

The easiest way to perform a PPSR check is by entering the vehicle's details in the RevsCheck online form. All we need is the car rego or VIN and the state the vehicle is registered, and then we'll locate the make and model.

If the make and model match the vehicle you're looking at, you can go ahead and order the PPSR certificate; if they're different, double-check that you have the correct rego number and enter it again.

After you recheck the rego, and you're still getting the incorrect make and model, those rego plates are probably not registered to that vehicle, and you may benefit from a stolen vehicle check.

This is a red flag in a car sales context, and it's not advisable to continue with the purchase in such a situation. 

At RevsCheck, you have the option of ordering two different reports. These reports will provide you with different details, and the one you choose depends on the amount of information you wish to know about that particular vehicle. All reports will include a rego check that includes the registered state (e.g., VIC, QLD, NSW, etc.) and when it expires.

If you select our CarHistory Report, you'll be shown the VIN check details and the car rego check (i.e., current rego status). You'll also receive information about the car valuation, which can tell you if you're getting a good deal or not.

If you need assistance in getting your PPSR report or CarHistory Report, you can contact our team by phone during business hours. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form or send an email, and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.