Buying a Car from Vic (Manheim Auction), Will I Need a Roadworthy Certificate? / Cheap Place to Get One?

Hi all,

I'm new to Victoria's rego rules.

I had a look on Vic Roads and they are very vague on RWC's. Seems like they 'suggest' sellers provide them (as it's listed as sellers step 1), but reading posts here, they aren't enforced/ required to be provided by the seller?

Interesting, it also says on the Vic Roads website, the dealer needs to submit all rego transfer papers (which means a RWC would be needed? - Manheim has a dealer # on the invoice), but they say I have to sort it myself at a nearby rego office? So, I'm guessing Manheim will unlikely provide me with a RWC?

All a bit confusing.

The situation:
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Still has 8 months rego. Tyres etc all good with 5mm. No damage.

So, if I need to get a RWC, anyone know a cheap place to get one from anywhere between Melbourne to Mildura?

Cheers

Comments

  • Is the car registered? If yes, you need nothing.
    If not and you are trying to get it from Melbourne to Mildura, then you need a temp permit. Mannheim can sort that for you.
    You need to put more info in your post.
    What are you asking /needing?

    • +1

      Is the car registered? If yes, you need nothing.

      Not exactly, you're still going to need a RWC to transfer registration into your name. Mannheim and other auction houses etc aren't "car dealers" as such like your local franchised network.

      You buy the car, pay for it there (as well as any buyer's premium if applicable). They can usually organised a UVP (unregistered vehicle permit) on the spot if the car has no rego. You receive a tax invoice for the car you've purchased. Organise your own insurance cover note or full policy. Take the car off the lot, take it to a place to get your RWC, submit all paperwork and pay stamp duty.

      Also if you're not particularly savvy about cars, get a mate or someone who knows to help you out. Have bought many cars from auctions before so ask if you have more Qs.

      • The issue is you can't insure a car that isn't registered in your name?

        Interesting that you say Manheim aren't dealers, but they have a dealer licence no on their invoice. Would be good to sort transfer and insurance cover note there, oh well.

        So need to sort rwc asap. Just no idea what the average cost is in vic? Seems a bit of a "mickey mouse" inspection, so I'm guessing 60-$100?

        Any recommendations near altona itself?

        • You can insure cars that you don't own.

          RWC nowadays is definitely not a mickey mouse inspection. Inspectors need to take several identifying photos inc engine number, dash with odo reading, one with a wheel off the car and one or two others. Anywhere from 150-200 is the going rate last time I checked back in April

          Mannheim are licenced motor car traders, but they're not "dealers" like your local Mazda franchisee. They won't provide RWCs with cars they sell for the reason they turnover hundreds every week and RWC is only valid for 30 days, plus interstate buyers don't need a vic RWC anyway.

          Hope you've got it sorted by now. Have you bought the car or just planning to?

  • Don't buy a 4yo car sight unseen…

  • You will need to obtain a RWC to get the vehicle transferred into your name.

    Seller doesn't need to provide it but after the date of sale, you'll have so long to provide VicRoads a RWC and pay the ownership transfer fee, just went through this this week.

    We went to Kmart Tyre & Auto as we get discount and FlyBuys, they seem to be good

    • How much did they charge? As for time, should be within 14 days of owner submitting sale form, add maybe a 30 day warning letter.

      • RWC was $179 + repairs and transfer fee was $106 but that varies depending on the vehicle I believe

      • The guy also did a rough quote of $1500 for repairs, didn't offer to fix them so it wasn't so he could profit from the repairs, but we repaired everything for under $300

        • Cheers. $179..for an inspection.

  • We just had a mid size suv brought into us at My new work for a RWC
    It was bought from the same auction house as you are looking at getting yours from.

    $2400 in repairs To make it roadworthy
    Was an ex rental car and was in average shape
    Get it checked before you buy it. Take someone who knows what they are doing with you. Just know it’s all on you if it needs anything to pass.
    The mechanic has to document and photograph everything so they won’t let anything pass if it needs repairing (the flip side is they can’t make shit up either)

    • there's always a reason why the car in an auction. Most of the time it not a good one. ex-rental or fleet with too much repair work, list go on. but you really need to check it out.

    • What do u charge?

      • Depends.
        $120-$165 depending on car.

        We are in Clayton vic.
        If that suits and you decide to get the car let me know and we can look after you. :) I’ll do you an ozb price.

        The guy who can sign Rwc is away 15/10-21/10 so can’t do any that week though.

        • Cheers mate. Definitely picking up. Should be straight forward. Its a 2014 Outlander Hybrid ..no damage. Tyres 4-5mm tread.

          Rego till may. So guess it's worth getting a rwc done. Don't need one in SA (just a $60 vin check) plus $120 less for stamp duty and transfer.

          • @tunzafun001: RWC is worth it at least to find out if anything major might need looking at.
            Most common thing that comes up in checks is Oil Leaks and Tyres

            • @jimbobaus: Cheers, my old man is a retired mechanic and I have a full auto shop to fix whatever is needed. Being a PHEV with electric motors, not too much can go wrong in terms of roadworthy status. Will hook up an OBD and do all physical checks before I leave Manheim.

              Just need the rwc to satisfy vic roads requirements to transfer car into my name. Can you pm a contact number,Will be in touch.

  • I've bought a ton of cars from Manheim in the past. Make sure you get insurance and roadside assistance before you pick up the car. You can still insure before the transfer is done, ignore those who don't know what they're talking about. And also R/A, as the quality of their cars vary quite a bit. Some can break down as soon as you reach the highway.

    • Yeah, I normally aim for cars around 4yrs old, just over 100 000 kms. Then check service/ recall info etc from dealer from the vin number. I figure if its made it to 100k and doesn't have extensive repairs but regular services it should be OK. Served me well so far. Normally keep the cars for about 3-5 yrs and only loose around 2k.

      As for insurance. I tried to insure a car online, but it wouldn't let me since I'm not the registered only. Probably be OK if I call up. Cheers. All other times the cars had no rego, so I just got a UVP in my name. This is my first attempt at getting a car through vic reg.

  • Merged from Vic roads rego transfer process? If it's let go?

    So was on hold to vic roads for over an hour. Couldnt get a straight answer. Basically won a car at auction, have a small window on Saturday when I can pick it up before heading off for 4 weeks. Assumed it came with the rwc ready to go so I can post in and keep the rego till may 19.

    I asked why Manheim with a dealers license isn't required to provide a rwc with their car sales (where their website says dealers do). He couldn't provide an answer. I then asked what happens if I don't do the rwc until about 4 weeks, and can the owner cancel the rego in the meantime. He said they usually don't otherwise the new owner might get caught unregistered, but the fine would go to the original owner. He then said, Sometimes if the new owner doesn't lodge the slip within 14 days of vic.reg being notified of the sale, then they can "force the transfer the rego details to the new owner". Which I thought, great I don't need a rwc! He then put me through to a supervisor… 45 mins later on hold theline went dead.

    So what's the go over in vic. Website says seller step.1 get a rwc (but turns out u don't need to). But to transfer rego it says the buyer then needs to get a rwc. But this guy is saying if the seller doesn't bother, and the buyer doesn't bother then the transfer will just happen anyway?? Anyone had their transfer "forced".

    • I assume the ownership will transfer but the car will be not legal until the roadworthy.
      I may be wrong best to double check.

      if rego changes hands Vic. to Vic.
      a roadworthy is required
      except for certain cases.
      like ownership change between family members. or between commercial dealers.

    • If you want to transfer ownership a rwc is needed in 99.9% of cases.
      They can’t force it into your name, a rwc will be needed no matter what.
      If you plan to register it in another state you can probably just drive it to your own state and get the car registered there following the rules relevant to your state.

    • +1

      You are required to transfer a car into your name within 14 days of getting it.

      You are required to provide a RWC at time of transfer.

      If you don't do what you are required to do, the rego can be suspended.

      The fact you say you are not able to do what you are required to do is neither here nor there.

      Over to you to work out how you do what you are required to do, in the required timeframe.

    • +1

      No one would get a RWC if vicroads "force" transfers and considers it a done deal.

    • You're required to transfer the car into your name. Transferring the car requires a RWC.

  • have you checked out vicRoads website?

    Buy, sell or transfer a vehicle

    https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/buy-sell-or-tra…

    • Yep. Step 1 on website for sellers is get a rwc… but a seller doesn't need to. So useless site really. Also says dealers must provide a rwc, but apparently they don't..or some do..some don't.. Mystery! Looks like it all comes down to the competence of the employees at motor reg. I just got a muppet when I called up.

      • ring up again, monday & fridays are always busy, or they used to be in the good old days

      • No, sellers DON'T have to provide a rwc. Doesn't matter what the VicRoads website says. In fact, some on their support line might even tell you that its not enforced, and therefore its up to the buyer to ensure rwc is obtained. Those who thinks sellers must provide an rwc in Victoria are just bloody noobs. Manheim's website itself categorically states not all auction vehicles will provide rwc. And don't think you can rack up speeding tickets and get away with it either. Once you've made the final payment to pick up the vehicle, the time and date is all recorded by Manheim and confirms when you are in possession of the vehicle. Remember you have to sign at their depot just before the boom-gate? As soon as you drive off through that gate the responsibility's all yours.

        I also have to laugh at those who think they can get a good deal at Manheim. A lot of the non-fleet vehicles they auction are normally the rejects offloaded by car dealers because they're too hard to sell, and you get all these newbies and families coming in thinking they can get a bargain. I would say 95% of the time you will get a better deal buying from a private owner these days. Even for fleet vehicles, most people overpay above market price which is a very amateur thing to do, but the majority are blue collar families thinking they can get a bargain, which is why they overpay. Finding a bargain got to become so much work I nowadays won't even bother looking at cars there.

        • According to Vic Consumer law (not vic roads website), Manheim (with a dealer license) needs to provide the Rwc? Scroll down half way.

          I might submit all the transfer forms with payment details to vic reg, and site (as to be provided by Manheim under consumer law) in the rwc box. They will just process it I recon as it seems the big auction houses are above the law.

          https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/licensing-and-registration/m…

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