How To Sell A Car In Queensland: The Complete Guide
Selling a car in Queensland comes down to three things: choosing how you sell, handling the registration and plates correctly, and getting the paperwork right so you are not left liable for a car you no longer own. This guide walks through all three in plain English, whether you are selling a tidy runabout privately or getting cash for a car that is old, damaged or no longer running.
Your options for selling
There are a few ways to sell a car in Queensland, and the right one depends on the car and how much hassle you want.
Selling privately usually gets the most money for a tidy, running car, but it takes time. You photograph and advertise the car, field calls and messages, deal with tyre-kickers and test drives, and in Queensland you generally need a current safety certificate before you can advertise a registered vehicle for sale. It suits a clean car in demand, less so an older or faulty one.
Trading in at a dealer is quick and easy, but the trade-in figure is usually well below private-sale money, and it only works if you are buying another car from them.
Selling to a cash-for-cars buyer like Cash Your Car is the fastest route, and it is the best fit when the car is old, high-kilometre, damaged, unregistered or not running. You get a firm offer, free pickup, and payment on the spot, with no advertising, no safety certificate needed for an unregistered sale, and no waiting on a buyer. It usually will not beat top private-sale money for a near-new car, so match the method to the car.
Get your paperwork together
Whichever way you sell, have these ready: proof that you own the car (registration papers in your name, or a purchase receipt), your photo ID, and the service history and manuals if you have them, which help a private sale. If the car is financed, you will also need to know the payout figure, since money owing has to be cleared as part of the sale.
Safety certificates
If you are selling a registered vehicle to someone who will drive it, Queensland generally requires a current safety certificate (once called a roadworthy). If you are selling an unregistered car, or selling for parts or scrap to a licensed buyer, a safety certificate is not required. That is one reason selling a faulty or unregistered car to a cash buyer is simpler, there is no roadworthy to chase.
Registration and number plates
This is where people trip up, so it is worth getting right. There are two different paths depending on who you sell to.
If you sell a registered car to someone who will keep driving it, the registration is transferred to them. The buyer has 14 days to complete the transfer, and until that happens the car is still recorded in your name, which means fines and tolls can land on you. Lodge your side of the transfer promptly and keep the proof. Our transfer guide covers the steps.
If you sell the car for parts or scrap, or it is already unregistered, the registration is cancelled rather than transferred. You surrender the standard plates, cancel the rego with Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, and you may get a pro-rata refund of the unused registration and CTP. Remove the plates before the car is towed away. Our rego cancellation guide covers exactly how.
Either way, if you have personalised plates, they belong to you and can be kept rather than going with the car.
Handling money safely
For a private sale, avoid handing over the car before the money has cleared. Bank transfers can take time to appear, and cash needs checking. Selling to a reputable cash-for-cars buyer removes this worry, since payment is made on the spot when the car is collected, before it leaves.
Protect yourself after the sale
Once the car is gone, do a few things to close it off cleanly. Keep a signed receipt showing the date, the car’s details and VIN, the price, and both parties’ names and contacts. Cancel any direct debit you had set up for registration renewals. Notify your insurer. And confirm the transfer or cancellation has gone through with Transport and Main Roads so the car is no longer recorded in your name.
Selling an old, damaged or non-running car
If your car is not the tidy, in-demand type that sells easily online, a private sale can be more trouble than it is worth, with low offers and time wasted. This is exactly where a cash-for-cars service earns its keep. Cash Your Car buys cars across Brisbane in any condition, running or not, damaged, unregistered or written-off, gives you a firm figure, tows it free, and pays you on the spot. Call 0403 522 042 or use the quote form for an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in QLD?
For a registered car sold to someone who will drive it, generally yes. For an unregistered car, or one sold for parts or scrap to a licensed buyer, no.
What is the fastest way to sell a car in Queensland?
Selling to a cash-for-cars buyer is fastest, often same-day, with a firm offer, free pickup and payment on the spot. It suits older, damaged or non-running cars best.
Who is responsible for transferring the rego?
For a car sold to a driver, the buyer completes the transfer within 14 days, but you should lodge your side promptly and keep proof, since the car stays in your name until it is done.
Can I sell a car that is not registered?
Yes. You can sell an unregistered car, and it does not need a safety certificate. Selling for parts or scrap to a licensed buyer is straightforward.
Can I sell a car that still has finance owing?
Yes, but the finance has to be cleared as part of the sale, and the amount owing comes off what you receive. See our finance guide.
Do I keep my number plates?
Standard plates usually go with a car that is transferred, or are surrendered when the rego is cancelled. Personalised plates belong to you and can be kept.
How do I get a rego refund?
Cancel the registration while it is still current, surrender the standard plates, and you may receive a pro-rata refund of the unused rego and CTP. See our cancellation guide.
What is the safest way to get paid?
Do not release the car until the money has cleared. Selling to a cash buyer avoids the issue, since you are paid on the spot at pickup.
Get a cash offer today
Call 0403 522 042 or use the quote form. Cash Your Car buys cars across Brisbane in any condition, with free pickup and payment on the spot.