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What Is a Car History Check and Why Do You Need One?

POSTED ON OCT 02, 2025 BY PRAVIN DILIP

Buying a used car in Australia can be similar to navigating mazes as in there are many twists and turns that remain unknown. Every single seller insists on their car being the “best in condition” but the appearance can always be deceiving. Only a car history check in Australia provides the details of theft, write-offs, odometer accuracy etc.

A well-polished and shiny exterior is no guarantee for a well maintained car in any manner. It can as well hide years of mechanical issues and accident repairs that are polished to fineness and hidden beneath the surface. That is exactly why a car history report will be useful for any buyer of second hand and used car in Australia.

A Car History Check

A car history check is an essential tool that is required for the purpose of ensuring that the car you buy is in the optimum condition. The market for used cars in Australia is fast growing and so with it are the scams in with vehicles.

Buyers often rely only on the surface-level checks before purchasing a used car, often failing to undertake an in-depth check. It is only a car history check that will provide a detailed report on all the hidden problems as it helps you avoid:

  • Purchasing a car with its finances still pending
  • Buying a car reported for stolen
  • A car with odometer rollback scam
What Does a Car History Check Report Contain?

A proper and effective car history report in Australia contains the following elements:

Theft details:

It is often possible that good looking car which is often affordable with a great deal that you have obtained might be stolen. It is not uncommon for a stolen car to be sold in the re-sale market being posed as a second hand car.

In case of a stolen car, it is possible that the police might seize the vehicle any time they prefer. This situation might leave you in a complete loss.

Finance and Encumbrance details:

The best car history report Australia will tell you the details of money that is still owned in the vehicle. If there are any finances owing in the vehicle, then the lender has all the legal rights to repossess the car.

Odometer Readings:

Most of the second hand cars or the used cars undergo an odometer tampering. If you notice that the odometer of your car is dropping randomly, then it is an indication of being tampered.

The trends of the odometer will indicate the instances of it being tampered or fiddled with. By paying attention to such elements it will be possible to avoid cars that have artificially low mileage.

Registration and VIN details:

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the other registration checks confirm that the detail of the car matches with its reports. This will help in protecting the car from being cloned.

It is always possible that the records of the car can be fabricated and not in line with the original records of the car. The best car history check Australia will ensure that the records and the details are accurate. It will help in revealing the rebirthed cars.

Write-off details:

It is not uncommon that a second hand car dealer might be interested in selling off a car that is written-off. This might later lead to a lot of issues for the car owner if the car is written-off by the insurers.

The write-offs can include economic write-offs for damages that are too costly to repair. And there are also the statutory write-offs for illegal car to be driven.

Best Car History Check in Australia

There will be dozen providers of car history check in Australia, but not everyone will offer the same level of depth and accuracy of information. While some might only provide a basic PPSR check, others might just add extra data like finance and write-offs.

The best car history check Australia combines PPSR details along with all the extended reports such as covering ownership, odometer reading and the accident data.

It is only ChecknBuy that stands out because we offer the best car history report Australia. Our report covers a broader range of elements rather than just the standard PPSR.

The best car history report Australia provided by us not just covers the legal records, but it also provides a layered perspective on the background of the car along with making it more reliable for serious purchasers.

Legal Importance of Car History Check

The vehicle transactions in Australia are governed by strict consumer protection and finance laws. A car that is financed is technically not completely free for being sold in the market. A detailed report will reduce the risk of disputes.

There are possibilities of the lender to be legally in repossession even though they had paid the seller in a bonafide intention. Thus, running a car history Australia is essential to safeguard the car against any legal complication.

Moreover the insurance companies also rely on the accurate records that get evaluated for the claims. A car that has been previously written off is declared to be unroadworthy. It might also impact the future of the insurance coverage. A detailed report of the history ensures that there is clarity in the deal before signing it off.

Why PPSR Check Alone Is Not Sufficient

The detail offered in the PPSR report is vital for understanding the history of the car. But it too contains certain limitations. It will provide the details on whether or not the car is under finance along with other details such as written-off and stolen story.

These are essential details but the PPSR report fails to cover:

  • A detailed accident history
  • Minor insurance claims
  • Mechanical conditions
  • Service and maintenance details

Therefore, despite PPSR being an essential step it is not the only step ahead. There are further details that are meant to be gathered once the PPSR report is finalized.

Details Not Present In a Car History Report

Despite being a reliable and effective report than a PPSR, there are certain details which are not present even in the best car history check Australia. Its limitations lie in:

  • Wear and tear of the engines
  • Tears of brakes
  • Present condition of electronic systems
  • Maintenance condition by the past owner
  • Tire conditions
  • Current safety condition of airbags

Therefore, it is often suggested to combine the history report of the car with a detailed mechanical inspection. This will provide a gold standard to the working of the car in a more detailed manner.

How to Run a Car History Check in Australia

It is essential that an effective car history check is conducted in Australia. A full car history check includes the entire details of the car and the history of accidents and for that the following steps must be regarded:

  1. Get the details of the car’s VIN or registration number from the seller
  2. Opt for a trusted provider that offers more detailed report
  3. Don’t just solely rely on the basic PPSR
  4. Order for the report online and conduct a thorough review
  5. Also check other essential elements before conducting a final purchase

It is suggested to choose a service provider who offers more than just the PPR for better protection.

Additional Tip

Try to always conduct the test a few days closer to the actual purchase data as much as possible. This will ensure the relevancy and the accuracy for the data to be more attune to the current condition of the car.

Long Term Ownership

For a car purchase to be a short-term decision is a rarity. In most common cases in Australia, the cars are kept for longer period of time. Therefore, the history of car report will offer the owner a relaxation and required peace of mind for their longer period.

It will help you choose a safer and reliable car that is useful in the longer run. Verifying a car for its accident history and confirming the odometer reading will ensure that the vehicle in legally clear and you are securing a car deal that is worth the money invested.

Do All Buyers Need It?

There are some people who assume that a car history check in Australia can be required only for cars which are of high-value. But in reality, instances like theft, fraud and finances happen to cars across all price ranges.

It is therefore, essential that even affordable range of cars must undergo a car history check to unravel its past. Running a car history check will provide peace of mind to the buyers and will assure its safety.

Conclusion

A car history check is the complete set of details regarding the history or the past of the car. It is more accurate, detailed and useful in understanding the history of the car better than mere PPSR reports.

Every second-hand car buyer must refer to the car history report along with technician check before making a final call regarding the purchase of a used car. To get better perspective regarding the car history report, get in touch with our experts immediately.

FAQs

What is the difference between PPSR and full car history check?

While PPSR is regarded to be a government based report that depicts the finances that are owned by the car, or it will also denote whether the car is stolen or has been written off.

How do I check car history in Australia?

For the purpose of checking the car history in Australia you would need the VIN or the registration number. The detail must be provided to a trusted online service provider and the required details will be offered.

Which is regarded as the best history Check in Australia?

The best car history check IN Australia provides a report that combines the PPSR data with the accident and odometer reading. It will also provide the history of the car’s ownership.

Does a car history report depict the records of service undertaken?

Not all the car history report provides the records of the services that are undertaken. Some provides might include the details of the services and maintenance.

Can a car despite passing the history check still have any issues with it?

Yes, it is often possible for the car to be under the risk of finance, theft, accident or being written off despite checking the paperwork or the history check. Thus, report must be combined with mechanic inspection.