Both private sellers and licensed car dealers advertise online.

Be wary of purchasing a car you have not seen in person. If you decide to buy a car online advertised by a private seller you are strongly encourage to conduct a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check.

When you purchase goods online from overseas or another state, consumer protection laws may not apply or may offer only limited protection.

If the vehicle is unregistered, obtain a valid receipt of sale from the seller, detailing the seller’s name, address and all vehicle identification details.

Online scams

Fake advertisements are appearing on genuine car sales websites, in online classifieds and online auction sites. These scams offer non-existent second-hand vehicles for lower than expected prices.

More information is available from WA ScamNet's online car sales scam page.

Buying a used vehicle from Consumer Protection WA on Vimeo.