Are you an expat living in Australia? Do you plan to invest in a used car but do not know how and where to start? Here in this article, we have pieced together the top 5 tips for buying second hand cars in Canberra, especially if you are expat.
1. A valid driving license
The first and foremost thing is the driving license. You should hold a proper Australian driver’s license to legally drive a car down under. An expat may only be allowed to legally drive for a limited period of 6 months. Post this, you will need to get a local driving license to drive around in Australia.
Therefore, if you really like driving, apply for a license the moment you land in the country. Without one, you will not be able to drive your car at all, even if it is a used car from Canberra.
2. Find a good used car for sale
Now that you have a legal driving license and are eligible to drive a four-wheeled car, look for a good car on sale. For now, new cars may be expensive and out of reach for you, so you could focus on good second hand cars in Canberra that are just as good and offer a decent value for money. You could find the best used car options either from a private dealer or seller. The internet is flooded with them. Be sure to find a car that suits your needs.
3. Check the car
After going through a million different options, you have finally shortlisted a car that is perfect for your day-to-day needs. The next thing to do is to conduct an inspection of the vehicle. Thoroughly inspect the car’s interior and exterior for any problems or discrepancies. Inspect the engine and other mechanical and electrical components, switches and connections to ensure that they are all in good working condition.
This inspection will tell you whether the car is in good condition and if it is worth the price. Check the logbook to find its detailed maintenance and service records. You can seek the help of experts from Canberra Subaru service when inspecting and buying a used car in Canberra.
4. Registration and regulatory documents
Your car’s registration is mandatory, which legalises your car for on-road use in all the territories and states of Australia. To do the registration, or “rego” (commonly known colloquially), you would need:
- The sale receipt
- The diver’s license (international or local)
- Roadworthiness certificate or RWC
- Identification documents (passport and other documents)
- Your permanent and current addresses
RWC is the most significant requirement for buying a used car. If the car you plan to buy doesn’t have this certificate, then the car isn’t worth spending money on. Because you may end up spending more money on its repairs and maintenance in order to get the care worthy for the road and the RWC.
Vehicle registration in most states also covers the Compulsory Third Party Insurance or CTP covers any personal or property damage caused to other cars in the event of an accident. However, this insurance is not similar to comprehensive car insurance or third party insurance, which has to be purchased separately.
If you approach a Canberra Subaru service expert, they should be able to tell you more about this.
5. Insurance
This is the next most important document after registration documents, which you should purchase after buying a used car. Opt for a comprehensive auto or car insurance that will cover damages to self as well as the other car in the event of an accident. This will greatly save your expenses on repairs and maintenance in the future.
Insurance will help you avoid any kind of cost outlays during an accident. Therefore, it is better to have insurance than to spend money on your car repairs.
Simply follow these tips and buy a worthy used car. If you want more details about second hand cars, visit Subaru Canberra today.


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