Buying a used car is affordable and exciting but it comes with hidden risks. Is the car owned by the seller? Has it ever been written off in a major accident? Is there any money owing on it? All these worries put buyers in a dilemma. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the lender could legally repossess it and leave you without the car and out of money.
This where a REVS check NSW comes in.
While the terminology has changed over the years but the necessity of this check hasn’t. In this advice, we will walk you through how to perform a REVS check in NSW, what it costs and how to interpret the results so that you don’t buy a lemon.
What is REVS Check?(And Why Can’t You Find the Website)
If you are looking for the old “REVS” website, you might not find it and get confused. REVS stand for the Register of Encumbered Vehicles. It was a state-based system used in New South Wales to track car finance.
REVS was replaced by a national register called the PPSR or Personal Property Securities Register.
Despite the name change, most Aussies still call it the REVS check in NSW. When you perform this search today, you are checking the national PPSR database. This is an improvement because PPSR covers the whole of Australia, not just one state. If the car was financed in Perth and sold in Sydney, the old state-based system might have missed it but this new national system (PPSR) catches everything.
Why You Cannot Skip REVS Check in NSW
Skipping a REVS check in NSW is a risky financial mistake, a used car buyer can make. Here is why:
- Repossession Risk: If the previous owner used the car as collateral for a loan and failed to pay it off, the bank or lender retains an interest in that vehicle. If you buy it, the debt doesn’t disappear. The bank can seize the car from you to recover their money.
- Written-Off Status: The REVS check searches the NEVDIS database to see if the car is a statutory write-off, which means it can’t be repaired or a repairable write-off.
- Stolen Vehicles: REVS check confirms if the vehicle has been reported as stolen.
Step-by-Step: How to Do a REVS Check in NSW
Performing a REVS check in NSW is a fast and online process. You will not need to visit any NSW centre; you can do it from a phone or a laptop.
Step 1: Get the VIN
You will need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check.
- What is VIN?- The VIN is a 17-character code.
- Where can I find the VIN? – You can find the VIN on the compliance plate(usually under the bonnet or inside the door jamb), on the dashboard or the registration papers.
Tip: Always check the VIN on the car itself, not just paper or photos, to ensure the match.
Step 2: Choose the Provider
You have two options here:
- Official Government website: This will provide you with basic information, which is sometimes not sufficient to make decision.
- Third-party website: Getting an NSW REVS check from a trustworthy source is very important. Cars24 offers a car history check report and a PPSR check is part of this report. This report covers:
- Financial Encumbrance Check
- Stolen Vehicle Check
- Recall Check
- Written off Check
- Registration Check
- PPSR Report
- Vehicle Valuation
- Market Demand
All this information is very crucial to make a well-informed buying decision.
Step 3: Enter the Details
Go to the website of your choice and enter the VIN. Double-check all the characters, especially letters like I, O and Q. The Most common error is confusion between zero and the letter “O”.
Step 4: Pay the Fee
As per the services availed, make the payment. Cutting costs here can result in expensive mechanical repairs, so don’t save money here and prefer comprehensive report.
Step 5: Get Your Report
You will receive the report via email. This document/report will show whether the car is clear of debt, and if you have a comprehensive report from Cars24, then other information as well, like Stolen Vehicle Check, Recall Check, Written off Check, Registration Check, Vehicle Valuation and Market Demand.
Can I Get a REVS Check in NSW for Free?
The most common question is “Is there a free REVS check in NSW?”
The answer is no. REVS check in NSW isn’t free, even on the government website. The government charges a fee to access the PPSR database, so any website offering “free REVS check in NSW” is offering something else or there is a catch. However, if you buy a used car from Cars24, we provide a PPSR check report along with all of our cars.
Sometimes, buyers confuse the NSW Registration Check, which is free of cost, with the REVS check in NSW.
- Service NSW Registration Check (Free): This service tells you about the registration expiry date, CTP insurer and if the registration is suspended. This doesn’t cover or check any other information.
- PPSR check: This service is a paid service that checks for security. There is no REVS check NSW free service.
Beware of sites advertising a REVS check in NSW for free. Some of them even ask for credit card details to get a full report.
How to Read Your NSW REVS Check Report
Once you have your REVS check in NSW, you need to understand what it says. Let’s break it down.
- The Encumbrance Section
This is the most important section and it’s a good buy if you see “No security interest reported”. If it shows a security interest, this means the bank or lender still has a claim on the car. Do not hand over money unless you have clearance in the report or an official bank letter.
- Written-Off Status
This section is pulled from NEVDIS. If it shows “Repairable Write-Off”, it means the car was damaged but fixed and re-registered. These are legal to drive, but their worth is less compared to a car with a clean history. If it shows “Statutory Write-Off”, it means this car is too dangerous to be road and can only be used for scrap metal. Never buy a car with a statutory write-off.
- Stolen Vehicle Indicator
Simple enough, if this shows the vehicle is stolen, walk away. It’s better to stay away from a car that is reported stolen.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When performing a REV Check in NSW, here are few mistakes to avoid:
- Trusting the seller’s printout: A seller might hand you a printed PPSR report; you need to cross-check it. It could be old or photoshopped. Always safe to buy a comprehensive car history check report.
- Checking only the plates: Plates can be swapped, but VIN is like the DNA of the car. Even while NSW REVS Check use the VIN number for the most accurate results.
- Ignoring the time stamp: PPSR certificates are accurate only at the exact second they are generated. If you check the car on Monday but didn’t pay till Friday, the owner could have taken out a loan on Tuesday.
Conclusion
Buying a car in NSW without checking its history is a gamble you shouldn’t take. Whether you call it a PPSR search or a REVS check in NSW, the process is the same.
- Find VIN
- Go to website
- Pay the fee
- Review report
- Make decision
Don’t spend hours looking for a free REVS check in NSW because that doesn’t exist. By following this guide, you can negotiate with confidence. If the REVS check in NSW shows “Repairable Write-off”, you can demand a lower price or look for other options. REVS check in NSW is the first tool in your car buying journey, but shouldn’t be considered the only tool. Comprehensive reports like Check Vehicle History from Cars24 have been proven to be a better tool while buying any used car because it covers:
- Financial Encumbrance Check
Stolen Vehicle Check- Recall Check
- Written off Check
- Registration Check
- PPSR Report
- Vehicle Valuation
- Market Demand
FAQ
1. Is a REVS check the same as a PPSR check?
Yes, REVS was the old NSW state system. It was replaced by the national PPSR system in 2012. Most people still use the term REVS check NSW out of habit.
2. Can I do a REV Check NSW with just a number plate?
It depends on the website. Some platforms allow VIN, REGO and number plate; however, some prefer the VIN number only.
3. What happens if I buy a car with finance on it?
If you do not do a REVS Check NSW and the previous owner stops paying the loan, the lender can claim and repossess the car from you.
4. Is there a genuine REVS check NSW free of charge?
No, there is no genuine website offering a REVS check free of cost. Since the government charges fees to access the financial registry, any site claiming a REVS check NSW free is likely offering some other service.
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