You’ve owned your car for a number of years and you’ve now decided it’s time for an upgrade. It’s in great condition despite the faint smell of coffee from when you didn’t see that speed bump, there’s a light layering of dog fur on the backseat…and of course the small ding from that time someone put a pole in your way.

While these are minor aesthetic deterrents you can overlook, there are rules for selling your car you need to be aware of to ensure a smooth and legal sale.

Each Australian state’s website lists useful information to help sellers ensure their car is safe and ready for sale. The Queensland Government website assists people selling or purchasing a vehicle, as well as a link to the How Safe Is Your Car website. The site allows users to fill out an online form, which produces a one to five star rating (five being the highest). While ratings are based on approximately 80% of the cars being driven on Australian roads, results are derived from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), which uses real world crash data.

For selling a vehicle legally, the Queensland Government website lists the following:

• You need to have your car checked at an approved inspection station to obtain a Queensland safety certificate (each state has its own safety certificate)
• Display this in an obvious position (or you may incur a fine)

The New South Wales Roads & Maritime website states you need to complete a Notice of Disposal but failing to do so may mean you’re help responsible for new offences until the buyer of the vehicle transfers the registration into their name.

Other safety factors a potential buyer may enquire about, which as the seller you should be aware of include:

• Is the car fitted with airbags?
• Does it have electronic stability control that’s in good working order?
• What restraints/seatbelts does the car have?
• Does it have automated headlights that work?
• If the car runs on gas, any required certificates that are not more than three months old are provided?

As a seller, someone interested in buying your car is likely to check if your vehicle:

• Is in your name
• Is registered
• Has a current safety certificate or certificate of inspection
• Has money owing on it, has been repossessed or if the car has been reported as stolen or written-off (learn more at Vic Roads).

In Victoria, if you’re selling a car that has been written-off, you are legally required to provide the purchaser with written advice regarding if the vehicle is recorded on the Victorian or an interstate Written-Off Vehicles Register.

Laws are in place in Australia to prevent people from selling or buying a ‘lemon’ car. Carswanted is Australia’s first cash-for-cars website, which makes the selling process easy for you so you don’t have to worry about the rules or requirements for selling a car. If it’s less than 10 years old (older cars may be considered), the staff at Carswanted will overlook the dog hair and coffee smell – you don’t even need a roadworthy certificate.

Simply complete the online form for an instant offer. It’s quick, easy, convenient and we’ll pay cash for your car as is. Alternatively, call 1300 926 833 between 8am and 6pm, 7 days a week to speak to a friendly and helpful Carswanted consultant.