A used car warranty is not just a nice extra on a listing. It is the part of the purchase that decides what happens if the car develops a fault after you bring it home. So, do used cars come with a warranty in Australia? Yes, many do.
But not every warranty works the same way. A dealer-sold used car can come with Australian Consumer Law protections and, if eligible, a state or territory statutory warranty. A near-new used car may still have the manufacturer’s warranty remaining. A private sale usually gives you fewer built-in protections. Buying directly from Cars24 can also add Cars24’s complimentary warranty, 30-Day Return Guarantee* and optional Cars24 Cover on top, subject to terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions.
That is why “Does this car have a warranty?” is only the first question. Before you buy, check what kind of warranty applies, what it covers, what is excluded, and who handles the claim if something goes wrong.
The word “warranty” gets used to describe statutory warranty, manufacturer warranty, extended warranty, dealer cover and used vehicle warranty products. They are not the same, and they do not protect you in the same way. One buyer may assume a faulty infotainment unit is covered, only to find audio systems are listed as an exclusion. Reading the terms first changes expectations before the fault, not after.
If you are browsing used cars for sale in Australia, check the warranty with the same seriousness as the price, kilometres and service history.
General information only: This guide is not legal advice. Used car warranty rules, statutory warranty periods and buyer rights vary across Australian states and territories. Always check the latest government guidance and read the warranty terms before buying.
What does a used car warranty actually mean?
A used car warranty in Australia is a promise that certain faults will be repaired or handled within a set period. Depending on how you buy, this can mean automatic legal rights under Australian Consumer Law, a state-based statutory warranty, a remaining manufacturer warranty, or additional cover from the seller or a third-party provider.
The ACCC guidance on new and second-hand cars makes one important point clear: consumer guarantees apply to new and second-hand cars bought from licensed dealers. Manufacturer warranties and extended warranties can apply on top of those rights, but they cannot replace or remove them.
| Type of protection | What it means |
| Consumer guarantees | Automatic rights under Australian Consumer Law when buying from a licensed dealer |
| Statutory warranty | State or territory-based cover for eligible dealer-sold used cars |
| Manufacturer warranty | Remaining factory warranty on a near-new second hand car, subject to brand-specific transfer conditions |
| Extended warranty | Optional extra cover with its own claim rules, limits and exclusions |
| Cars24 warranty / Cars24 Cover | Cars24’s complimentary 3-month warranty, 30-Day Return Guarantee* and optional Cars24 Cover, subject to terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions |
Do dealer-sold used cars come with a warranty?
Generally, yes. Dealer-sold used cars carry more built-in protection than private sales. You may have two layers: Australian Consumer Law guarantees and, for eligible vehicles, a state or territory statutory warranty.
When you buy from a licensed dealer, the Australian Consumer Law requires the car to be of acceptable quality for its age, price, condition and kilometres. It should also be fit for any purpose disclosed before sale, match its description, and come with a clear title and undisturbed possession.
An eligible car may also come with a statutory warranty. This is the state or territory-based warranty that applies to many dealer-sold used cars. It is usually short in duration, but useful because it requires the dealer to repair certain covered defects during the warranty period.
Before buying from a dealer, ask these four questions:
- Is this car covered by statutory warranty?
- What is the warranty period?
- What is excluded?
- What is the claim process?
Those four answers tell you more than a simple “yes, it has a warranty” ever will.
How long does a statutory warranty last in Australia?
Statutory warranty periods vary by state and territory, but commonly run for 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first, for eligible dealer-sold used cars. Eligibility can depend on the vehicle’s age, kilometres, sale price and how the vehicle is sold.
| State / Territory | Common statutory warranty period | Key eligibility note |
| ACT | 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first | Commonly applies to eligible dealer-sold used cars under 10 years old and under 160,000 km |
| NSW | 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first | Applies to eligible dealer-sold used cars under 10 years old and under 160,000 km |
| NT | 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first | Applies to eligible dealer-sold used cars under 10 years old and under 160,000 km |
| VIC | 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first | Applies to eligible dealer-sold used cars under 10 years old and under 160,000 km |
| QLD | Class A: 3 months or 5,000 km. Class B: 1 month or 1,000 km | Class A generally applies to cars under 10 years old and under 160,000 km. Class B applies to older or higher-kilometre eligible vehicles |
| SA | $3,001 to $6,000: 2 months or 3,000 km. $6,001 and above: 3 months or 5,000 km | Applies to eligible vehicles less than 15 years old, under 200,000 km and costing more than $3,000 |
| TAS | 3 months or 3,000 km | Applies to eligible vehicles less than 7 years old and under 120,000 km |
| WA | 3 months or 5,000 km, or 1 month or 1,500 km, depending on vehicle age and kilometres | Applies to eligible vehicles with a purchase price of $4,000 or higher. Warranty period depends on age and kilometres |
For a deeper check, refer to the ACCC second-hand car guidance, NSW dealer guarantees, Consumer Affairs Victoria used car warranties, Queensland second-hand vehicle warranties, WA car warranty guidance or South Australia’s second-hand vehicle rules.
Do private used car sales come with a warranty?
Generally, no. Private used car sales in Australia do not carry statutory warranty protection in the same way dealer sales do, and Australian Consumer Law consumer guarantees generally do not apply to one-off private sellers in the same way they apply to licensed dealers.
A cheaper private listing can carry more risk than it first appears. That does not mean every private sale is a bad idea, but the pre-purchase checks become essential rather than optional.
Before paying, run a PPSR check. PPSR stands for Personal Property Securities Register. It is a national government register that can show whether a vehicle has a registered security interest, which can create problems for the buyer if the previous owner’s finance is not cleared. It may also show if the vehicle is recorded as stolen or written off.
Also check the service history, odometer reading, roadworthy requirements for your state, an independent inspection report, and any claims made by the seller in writing.
If a private seller says the car still has the manufacturer’s warranty, ask for written proof and check directly with the manufacturer whether the warranty transfers to the next owner. Transfer conditions vary by brand and are not automatic.
What does a second-hand car warranty usually cover?
Most used car warranties focus on covered mechanical or electrical faults. Exactly what is included depends on the warranty type, so always read the specific terms rather than assuming.
Statutory warranty generally covers certain defects that arise during the warranty period. Manufacturer warranty usually covers factory faults under the original terms. An extended warranty may cover selected mechanical and electrical breakdowns, depending on the provider.
Areas commonly covered can include the engine, transmission, driveline, selected mechanical and electrical parts, and labour costs, where these are included in the terms.
But “selected” can mean a lot less than it sounds. Check exactly which parts are listed before you count on the cover.
What is usually not covered by a used vehicle warranty?
Normal wear and tear, consumable items and pre-disclosed faults are almost always excluded. A warranty covers defined unexpected breakdowns, not the cost of routine ownership.
Common exclusions typically include:
- Tyres, batteries, brake pads and light globes
- Audio systems and navigation units
- Accidental damage or misuse
- Pre-disclosed faults
- Unauthorised modifications
- Incorrect fuel, fluids or lubricants
- Missed servicing where the warranty requires a regular service history
Read the exclusions before you sign. This is where the warranty tells you what support exists, but also where your responsibility begins.
Are cooling-off periods the same as warranty?
No. A cooling-off period gives eligible buyers a short window to cancel a dealer purchase in some states or territories. A warranty deals with covered faults after purchase.
Cooling-off rights vary across Australia and are not available in every state or territory. They can also be lost in some cases if you take delivery of the vehicle before the cooling-off period ends. Always check your local state or territory rules before assuming you can cancel a purchase after signing.
What warranty protection does Cars24 offer?
Vehicles purchased directly from Cars24 come with a complimentary 3-month warranty and 30-Day Return Guarantee*. Buyers can also choose Cars24 Cover for extended mechanical and electrical breakdown protection, subject to terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions.
| Cars24 warranty at a glance |
| Complimentary 3-month warranty on vehicles purchased directly from Cars24 |
| 30-Day Return Guarantee* on eligible vehicles purchased directly from Cars24 |
| Cars24 Cover for optional extended mechanical and electrical breakdown protection |
| 300-point inspection, Car Condition Report, RWC and PPSR check on Cars24 Assured vehicles |
Cars24 Cover includes mechanical and electrical breakdown cover, including parts and labour, with access to a national repair network. Claims are unlimited up to the value of the vehicle at the time of each claim, subject to terms and conditions.
Cars24 lists exclusions clearly. Normal wear and tear, modifications to manufacturer specifications, and incorrect fuel, fluids or lubricants are not covered. Regular servicing is required to keep the cover valid, so read the full terms before purchasing.
The pre-purchase checks, including the 300-point inspection, condition report and PPSR check on Cars24 Assured vehicles, are designed to reduce uncertainty before you buy, not just after. Knowing what you are buying reduces the number of situations where the warranty ever becomes relevant.
*30-Day Return Guarantee is subject to Cars24’s return policy, eligibility criteria, kilometre limits, vehicle condition requirements and applicable fees. Cars listed as dealer listings are not eligible. Always check the latest Cars24 terms before purchase.
Extended warranty for a used car: is it worth it?
A used car extended warranty can be useful if it gives you practical cover beyond your existing rights. The answer depends on the quality of the product, not the word “extended”.
Potential benefits can include:
- Reducing financial risk from unexpected repair bills
- Giving you a clearer repair process if the provider has a defined claim process and repair network
- Being useful for vehicles where the manufacturer’s warranty has already expired
Before choosing one, watch out for:
- Exclusions that significantly narrow what “covered” means
- Restricted repairer networks that limit where you can get work done
- Parts caps or per-claim limits that reduce real-world value
- Servicing rules that can affect coverage if missed
A restricted repairer network can sound minor until the nearest approved workshop is 200 km away. That is why the repair process matters as much as the parts list.
Before buying any used car extended warranty, check what is covered, what is excluded, whether diagnostics are included, where repairs can happen, what the claim limits are, and whether the cover transfers if you sell the car.
What should you check before buying a used car with a warranty?
Check the warranty as seriously as the mechanical condition. A good warranty is only useful if you understand it before you sign.
Before buying, check:
- Confirm whether the seller is a licensed dealer, private seller or platform.
- Ask whether the statutory warranty applies and what the period is.
- Check whether the manufacturer’s warranty is still active and whether it transfers to you.
- Read the exclusions in full before signing anything.
- Ask how claims are lodged and who approves repairs.
- Check service history and logbook records.
- Run a PPSR check to identify registered security interests, stolen status or written-off status.
- Keep all warranty documents, invoices and written promises in one place.
If a seller cannot clearly explain the cover, that is useful information too. Ask again in writing before you commit.
FAQs about used car warranty in Australia
Do all used cars come with a warranty?
No. Dealer-sold used cars may carry a statutory warranty if they meet age, kilometre and price eligibility rules, plus Australian Consumer Law guarantees. Private used car sales generally come with fewer built-in protections. Always confirm before you buy.
Is a used car warranty the same as consumer guarantees?
No. Consumer guarantees are automatic legal rights that apply when you buy from a licensed dealer. A used car warranty is a separate promise or coverage that may apply in addition to those rights. It does not replace them.
Can a used car still have a manufacturer’s warranty?
Yes, if the original period or kilometre limit has not expired and the vehicle meets the warranty terms. Whether it transfers to a new owner depends on the manufacturer. Some brands may transfer automatically, while others may require a process or fee.
Does Cars24 offer a warranty on used cars?
Yes. Vehicles purchased directly from Cars24 include a complimentary 3-month warranty and a 30-Day Return Guarantee*. Buyers can also add Cars24 Cover for extended mechanical and electrical breakdown protection, subject to terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions.
Is car insurance the same as a used car warranty?
No. Car insurance typically covers events like accidents, theft, fire or weather damage, depending on the policy. A used car warranty relates to covered mechanical or electrical faults. They serve different purposes.
What is a PPSR check?
The Personal Property Securities Register is a national Australian government register. A PPSR check can show whether a vehicle has a registered security interest and may also show if it has been recorded as stolen or written off.
Should I buy an extended warranty for a used car?
It depends on what the cover actually includes. Read the inclusions, exclusions, repair process, claim limits and servicing requirements carefully. A well-structured extended warranty can be worth considering, but a heavily restricted one adds little practical value.
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