How to Choose a Used Car Dealer in Brisbane: 7 Checks Before You Buy

People often ask me how to pick a used car dealer, and I think they expect me to say “come to us”. The more useful answer is a checklist you can use on any dealer in Brisbane, including us. These are the checks I would do myself before buying a car.

1. Check the dealer is licensed

Anyone who sells cars as a business in Queensland needs a motor dealer licence. A licensed dealer has obligations that a private seller or an unlicensed operator doesn’t, and you can check a licence yourself on the Queensland Government’s licence register.

A dealer should be happy to give you their licence number. It is usually on their website and their paperwork. Ours is 4738159.

2. Know what a licensed dealer must give you

When you buy from a licensed motor dealer in Queensland, the law gives you protections a private sale doesn’t:

• Clear title. If there is money owing on the car, that is the dealer’s problem to fix, not yours.
• A cooling-off period. Most used car purchases from a licensed dealer come with a 1 business day cooling-off period. There are exceptions, so read the contract.
• A statutory warranty on most cars. Class A (under 160,000 km and built no more than 10 years before the sale) is 3 months or 5,000 km. Class B is 1 month or 1,000 km. Here is how the statutory warranty works.

A good dealer will explain these without you having to ask. If a dealer is vague about them, that tells you something.

3. Read reviews properly

A star rating is a starting point, not the answer. When I read reviews of any business, I look for:

• Recent reviews. How the business is treating people now matters more than how it did years ago.
• Patterns. One unhappy review can happen to anyone. The same complaint again and again is a warning.
• How problems were handled. Reviews that describe something going wrong after the sale, and the dealer fixing it, are worth more than a hundred one-line five-stars.
• How the dealer replies. A calm, specific reply to criticism is a good sign.

Be careful with “top 10 dealers” lists. Some are written by businesses that appear in them.

4. Ask about the car’s history

Before you get attached to a car, ask two questions.

Can I see the PPSR result? A PPSR check shows whether the car has finance registered against it and whether it has been recorded as written-off or stolen. You can also run one yourself for $2 at ppsr.gov.au. Here is what a PPSR check tells you.

What service history does it have? Logbook stamps or invoices should make sense for the car’s age and kilometres. Gaps aren’t always a deal-breaker, but a dealer should be open about them.

5. See how they handle inspections

Ask whether you can have the car independently inspected before you commit, by your own mechanic or a motoring group such as RACQ. A dealer who is confident in a car usually doesn’t mind. Also ask what the dealer checked before putting the car on sale, and whether they know of any faults.

6. Compare the total price

The advertised figure isn’t always what you pay. Check whether the price includes government charges such as registration and stamp duty, or whether those are on top. If you are using finance, look at the total cost, including the rate and fees, not just the weekly repayment. If you are trading in, compare the changeover amount: what it costs in total to go from your car to the next one.

7. Notice how you are treated

This one is simple but it matters. Are you given time to think? Are your questions answered clearly, and are promises put in writing? Pressure to sign today, or reluctance to put things on paper, is a reason to slow down.

Quick answers

How do I check if a car dealer is licensed in Queensland?

Search the dealer’s name or licence number on the Queensland Government’s licence register. A licensed dealer should be happy to give you their number.

Is there a cooling-off period when buying a used car from a dealer in Queensland?

Most used car purchases from a licensed dealer in Queensland come with a 1 business day cooling-off period. There are exceptions, so check the contract before you sign.

What warranty do I get from a used car dealer in Queensland?

Most used cars from a licensed dealer come with a statutory warranty: 3 months or 5,000 km for class A cars, and 1 month or 1,000 km for class B cars. Private sales don’t have one.

Are online reviews enough to choose a dealer?

No. Use them alongside a licence check, the PPSR result, the service history and, ideally, an independent inspection.

Buying a used car in Brisbane?

Use this list on any dealer, including us. You can see how we select our cars, read our customer reviews, or browse our current cars. Safeway Auto is a licensed Queensland motor dealer (licence 4738159) at 4 Ferry Road, West End.