The magic of a private seller is that there's usually more wiggle room for negotiation. However, you have to rely on your own judgement and your level of trust in the seller. That's why it's important to ask the right questions, such as:
- Can the seller guarantee there's no debt left on the car?
- Is the car roadworthied, or is the seller willing to get a certificate?
- Has the car been involved in any previous accidents?
- How many owners has the car had?
- Does the owner have a car service history report?
If you have the car's registration or the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can also conduct your own research by ordering an official report from the Personal Property Security Register (PPSR).
If you do buy privately, it's up to you and the seller to organise all the paperwork, including the registration transfer.