Don’t risk buying a car with an unknown past
Have been recorded as a write-off
A vehicle in Australia is stolen
Have outstanding finance owing
Have evidence of odometer discrepancy
Utilises PPSR to determine whether there is finance owing on the vehicle.
References PPSR/ NEVDIS whether the vehicle has ever been stolen.
References PPSR/NEVDIS to check whether the vehicle has ever been declared a write-off.
Check validity and accuracy of registration number (plate) and State registered.
Check for possible odometer roll backs or discrepancies utilising information from the carsales network and associated partners.
Compare similar cars in the market based on the odometer reading and sales price.
Includes year of manufacture, fuel type, engine size, power/ torque output, fuel consumption, ANCAP rating.
Each CarFacts report includes an official PPSR certificate from the Australian Government.
With exclusive access to Australia’s largest source of car listing data, we’re more likely to spot that odometer wind back.
Every report includes a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) certificate and a simple summary in plain English
Our market comparison tool is powered by carsales and in real-time, so you can buy at the right price
A CarFacts History Report provides a detailed overview of a vehicle’s past, helping you buy with greater confidence and security. Purchasing a used car can be stressful, but this report makes the process safer by revealing essential background details. Every CarFacts History Report includes an official Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) certificate and may also highlight important information such as whether money is still owed on the vehicle, if it has ever been recorded as stolen or written-off, any irregularities with the odometer, along with key identifiers like registration status, vehicle description, market comparisons, environmental ratings, and safety ratings including ANCAP.
A PPSR Certificate is a national register check that shows if a vehicle has any finance owing against it. Introduced in January 2012 to replace the old state-based REVS checks, the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) provides details such as who holds the financial interest, the vehicle linked to the registration, when the interest was recorded, and the type of claim. It can also reveal whether a car has been reported as stolen or written-off, giving buyers and sellers essential peace of mind when dealing with used vehicles.
A CarFacts History Report helps protect you from purchasing a vehicle with a hidden past. If money is still owing on a car, it could be repossessed to cover the debt, leaving you out of pocket and without a vehicle. Cars that have been written-off, stolen, or had their odometers tampered with can also lead to paying far more than the car is worth. By checking a CarFacts History Report before you buy, you gain peace of mind knowing the vehicle is exactly what it claims to be.
What better way to reassure potential buyers that your car is a smart choice than by presenting an independent CarFacts History Report? Sharing this report highlights the vehicle’s clear background and builds trust, giving buyers the confidence they need to move forward with the purchase.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code used to identify a car. You can usually find it on the registration papers, insurance documents, the build plate in the engine bay, the passenger-side door jamb, or on the lower corner of the windshield. Accuracy is important when entering a VIN. To avoid mistakes, copy and paste it if you’re taking it from a website, or type it carefully in groups of four characters. Remember, VINs never include the letters I, O, or Q, and they must always be exactly 17 characters long.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) acts like a car’s fingerprint, uniquely identifying each vehicle. However, the VIN alone doesn’t always provide the full picture. Details such as the exact make, model, and variant are sometimes needed to generate accurate information on fuel type, engine capacity, fuel efficiency, cylinder or rotor count, power and torque, CO₂ emissions, and both safety and environmental ratings. In cases like this, we may ask you for a little more information about your car to ensure we deliver the most accurate and reliable report possible.
There may be times when we can’t generate a list of possible vehicle matches, or your car simply doesn’t appear in the options provided. This isn’t a problem, but we will need a little assistance from you. In these cases, we’ll ask you to manually select your vehicle details using the drop-down menus. Once confirmed, we can provide accurate information on fuel type, engine capacity, fuel efficiency, cylinder or rotor count, power and torque, CO₂ emissions, as well as safety and environmental ratings.
No, a CarFacts History Report can only be generated using a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), as this is the primary way to identify a car. All vehicles built from 1 January 1989 onwards are required to have a VIN. If you’re trying to check an older vehicle without one, you can still search the PPSR Government database using the chassis or serial number, but this will only return limited information.
Yes, accuracy matters. If the VIN is entered incorrectly, the CarFacts History Report may be invalid or display the wrong information. To avoid this, always double-check the number and follow our guidelines for entering the VIN correctly.
There are a few reasons why certain details may be missing from your CarFacts History Report. In some cases, the data simply isn’t available for that part of the vehicle or its history. Another common cause is an incorrect VIN entry - if the ‘Vehicle ID and Registration’ section is blank, it usually means the VIN wasn’t entered correctly.
An encumbrance on a vehicle simply means that money is still owed on a loan for the car. Before buying, it’s important to ensure the finance has been fully paid and the encumbrance removed. You should also request proof of repayment from the seller and, if needed, confirm the details directly with the lender.
The time it takes for an encumbrance to be removed from a vehicle can vary. The finance company or other entity holding the security is responsible for notifying the PPSR once the interest is no longer valid, and it may take some time for the PPSR to process this update. If you believe an encumbrance should have been cleared, the person who originally took out the finance (the granter) should contact the lender (the secured party) to ensure the information has been correctly updated on the PPSR. Before purchasing a car, always confirm that any finance is fully repaid and the encumbrance removed. It’s wise to request proof of repayment from the seller and, if necessary, verify directly with the finance company.
A car is considered “written-off” if it has been involved in an accident or has suffered significant damage from impacts, fire, water, or other malicious acts. Some written-off vehicles cannot be re-registered and are classified as statutory write-offs. Others can be repaired and returned to the road if they pass inspections and receive a written-off vehicle and safety certificate, making them repairable write-offs. Being written-off doesn’t automatically mean a car is unsafe to buy, but it does mean you should carry out thorough checks to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and legally owned by the seller. For specific questions or to verify the write-off status, your state or territory road authority can provide guidance.
An odometer check can indicate if a vehicle’s odometer has potentially been rolled back to display fewer kilometres than actually driven. This information is verified using data from the Carsales Network and its affiliated partners, helping ensure buyers have an accurate view of the car’s true mileage.
These ratings reflect a vehicle’s performance in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash tests. To learn more about ANCAP ratings and how they are calculated, visit www.ancap.com.au
If the vehicle in your CarFacts History Report is listed as stolen, it’s recommended that you contact the relevant state or territory law enforcement agency, as noted on the PPSR certificate included with your report.
You can contact support at support@carfacts.com.au.
Compare similar cars in the market based on odometer reading and sales price.
You can contact support at support@carfacts.com.au.
You will typically receive your CarFacts History Report by email within 15 minutes. Some sections of the report rely on external data sources, which can occasionally cause delays beyond our control. If you haven’t received your report or are experiencing any issues, please contact us at support@carfacts.com.au.
We can re-send you a copy of a CarFacts History Report which has been generated within the last month. All you need to do is send an email to support@carfacts.com.au with the email address used to order the report, as well as the date and time. Data may have been updated from the time of the original report, so for the most up to date information re-enter the VIN and lodge a request for a new CarFacts History Report.
A CarFacts History Report provides a snapshot of a vehicle’s history, with a timestamp recorded at the time of production (Canberra time). The report can help buyers purchase a car free of financial encumbrances, provided a PPSR search shows no registered security interests. To ensure protection, the search should be conducted immediately before the transaction or within the previous day. Exceptions may apply, so consumers are encouraged to consult www.PPSR.gov.au for complete details.
The details in a CarFacts History Report are compiled from a range of government, internal, and external sources. The accuracy of the report depends on the information recorded in these national and government databases at the time. For full terms and conditions, click here.