Buying a Used SUV

zaido on 09/01/2025 - 10:52
Last edited 09/01/2025 - 12:19 by 1 other user

Looking to ask the community here to see what I should look out for when buying a used car. I plan to hire a mechanic as well but prior to that I'd like to do my own research by starting to with this question.

I plan to purchase a mid-size SUV that seats from 5 to 7 passengers. It will be mainly used as a family car, driving to work, childcare, school and back home.

I'm aware that you can check the registration of the car via VicRoads but are there any other sites that would help to show the overall status / health of the car?

I'm particularly after sites that are free and don't want to pay for a site up until I find the car that suit my needs.

Thanks

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • Hybroid on 09/01/2025 - 11:01
    +5

    Enjoy your Kluger or CX-7/8/80/9.

    • JIMB0 on 09/01/2025 - 16:26
      +4

      Enjoy your Kluger or CX-7/8/80/9 Camry.

      FTFY

    • HeWhoKnows on 10/01/2025 - 17:26
      +2

      As OP appears to know nothing about buying used cars (respectfully)…

      I suggest OP buys a used car that qualifies for the Statutory 3 Month Used Car Warranty (less than 10 years old and less than 160,000km) from a reputable dealer that will back up the warranty.

      Typically these are new car dealerships that choose which traded cars to keep and resell vs offloading the lemons and bombs at the wholesale used car auctions

      Hence dear OP, start your search at new car dealship yards selling used cars.
      You can usually check out thier service history and take them for a test drive.
      And you have the backing of a 3 month used car warranty that is almost as good as a new car warranty

      • htc on 10/01/2025 - 21:31

        How much extra does it cost to have a stat warranty? Is a " reputable" dealer refer to ones with above 4 stars google rating with at least 100 reviews?

  • MS Paint on 09/01/2025 - 11:05
    +16

    If buying private the first step is always the $2 PPSR

    free and don't want to pay for a site

    It's $2. Look behind the couch cushion if desperate.

      • pegaxs on 09/01/2025 - 11:25
        +24

        It's $2… FFS.

        And yes, there is an alternative that is $0… But it's $2… TWO BUCKS!

        Anyway… Here you go, you tight arse… Two free PPSR checks per year

        But it's $2… You're looking to buy a car that is going to be in the tens of thousands… and you're moaning over $2 that could potentially save you thousands? You'll pay insurance of upwards of $1000+/year and not bat an eye when you dont use it at all in that 12 months… but $2 is too much? You will buy a can of soft drink for $3 and not think twice, but $2 is outrageous? Throw fuel in your car at near $2/litre and take $100+ to fill the car… but $2 for a PPSR is "too much"??

          • pegaxs on 09/01/2025 - 11:36
            +31

            @zaido: ANNNNNND, your $2 would have paid for itself…

            • Protractor on 09/01/2025 - 11:42
              +12

              @pegaxs: This has to be trolling.

            • rumblytangara on 09/01/2025 - 14:30
              +1

              @pegaxs:

              your $2 would have paid for itself…

              Literally paid for itself more than a thousand times over.

          • MS Paint on 09/01/2025 - 12:08
            +2

            @zaido: That's why it was cheap.

          • brendanm on 09/01/2025 - 12:09
            +4

            @zaido: That's the opposite of a bummer, that's $2 that has saved you from making a mistake. Hot tip, if it's on marketplace, and cheaper than all the other ones, it's a repairable write off.

          • RogerLoger on 09/01/2025 - 12:11

            @zaido: Steer clear of EVERY car that's had a major crash, write-off or not. IMO, anything that bends the chassis is major. Most insurance companies try to keep their profits up by organising repairers bid to repair cars. Repairers are forced to keep costs low, or they don't get the work. Cheapest repair gets the job. Cheap repairs are not good repairs. The insurance company has nothing to worry. If something goes wrong, they point at the repairer.

            I know of someone who battled insurance and eventually won a court case over a dodgy repair. She was awarded a new car and compensation, but it cost a couple of years and a lot of stress.

          • Murkymerv on 09/01/2025 - 14:43
            +1

            @zaido: You can still buy it , nobody's stopping you ⁉️

          • Mikefr on 09/01/2025 - 18:05

            @zaido: Run , don’t walk…away

          • SlickMick on 10/01/2025 - 09:28
            +1

            @zaido: Crap.You've just blown half of your free PPSR checks.Choose carefully, you only have one more shot at this.

      • ihfree on 09/01/2025 - 11:31
        +11

        Yep - YOLO is a good free alternative.

        • zaido on 09/01/2025 - 11:40
          -2

          link to the site?

          • brendanm on 09/01/2025 - 12:10
            +18

            @zaido: I suggest getting your support worker to help you with this task.

        • ReaperX22 on 09/01/2025 - 11:54

          Gave me a chuckle

  • joka on 09/01/2025 - 11:36

    Will this mechanic you hire be on a full time basis or just casual? Will you be providing all the tools and the workshop?

    • zaido on 09/01/2025 - 11:42

      I haven't approached any mechanic yet but they should have their own tools or anything that's needed.
      relevant suggestions or recommendations is appreciated.

  • Protractor on 09/01/2025 - 11:46
    +3

    Fuel is around $2 a litre.(IKR?) Based on this thread , I think running costs are well beyond your fiscal capacity , let alone the ability maintain a car safely for any passengers on board.

    • zaido on 09/01/2025 - 11:52
      -1

      I listed about 10 used cars, crunched them and picked 3 that I think would suit my need.
      so far vicroads is asking me for 50 fee just to get a report of a car, other sites look to be dodgy so decided to ask this community.

      I bought my first car from a dealership which I later realized I made a bad decision, costed me 15K in interest.
      excuse me for not spending 2$ or more just to get a car checked but if there's something that's free out there that would be a great help.

      • pegaxs on 09/01/2025 - 11:59
        +6

        It's $2… your priorities are all (fropanity) up. Happy to spend a couple of hundred for getting a mechanic who may or may not find any hidden fault, but a $2 PPSR is too expensive to check a car out…

        Spends $15k in finance interest… but $2 to find out if a car is written off or encumbered… too much.

          • DashCam AKA Rolts on 09/01/2025 - 12:21
            +2

            @zaido: advise VERB to help e.g. I advise you to get a PPSR.
            advice NOUN information e.g.I'm just after some honest advice.

          • pegaxs on 09/01/2025 - 12:32
            +1

            @zaido: It is honest "advice"… Just because it is not the "confirmation bias" you came here looking for, doesn't make it "sarcastic".

            Happy to frivolously throw money at a vehicle… Just wont spend $2 on a report to make sure it isnt written off, stolen or encumbered.

            If it means that much to you, negotiate it from the seller… If they are selling the car for $14,990… make an offer of $14,988 to cover the $2 PPSR report.

            You have already been skinned because you didnt do your due diligence at a dealer, now you want to go into a MORE unpredictable market and not even spend $2.

            Any money on the next post; "I bought a car without RWC and now I have $4,974 worth of repairs… Can I get a refund/sue the seller?

          • rumblytangara on 09/01/2025 - 15:05
            +1

            @zaido:

            I'm just after some honest advise mate,

            What was honest advice. And very sensible advice.

      • Protractor on 09/01/2025 - 12:25

        Suddenly, (when called out), the information flows.

  • sumyungguy on 09/01/2025 - 11:52
    +2

    I hesitate to suggest this as it isn't free, but FWIW: https://www.racv.com.au/cars-transport/vehicle-maintenance/i…

    • zaido on 09/01/2025 - 11:54
      -2

      I'm guessing this is where I ask a mechanic to check the car? thanks for the link I appreciate it

  • Baysew on 09/01/2025 - 12:24
    +2

    Penny wise and pound foolish.

    • plmko on 09/01/2025 - 12:31

      Best to let the free market do it's own thing and let people learn the hard way.

      It's a bit like the Safari why they never interfere with wildlife killing each other. It's all part of the cycle.

  • Jake D on 09/01/2025 - 13:08
    -1

    Why an SUV if you're only driving to work and school?

    • geekcohen on 09/01/2025 - 14:00
      -1

      Because it'll be a family car……

      It will be mainly used as a family car, driving to work, childcare, school and back home.

      What else would you suggest? an i20?

      It seems like you do not have kids and know how much crap and stuff you need to around with a family.

      • serpserpserp on 09/01/2025 - 14:16
        +3

        A Skoda Octavia from 10 years ago would be perfect for all of this. A lot cheaper too. They come in Sedan or Wagon form factor.

        Don't need a 7 seater large SUV to drive 2km to drop the kids at kinder.

        • Nugs on 09/01/2025 - 19:29

          "Don't need a 7 seater large SUV to drive 2km to drop the kids at kinder"
          Perhaps, or not? OP didn't specify how many children, maybe seats 6 and 7 are for friends etc.
          FWIW, I'd go an Odyssey or a Tarago type if need more than 5 seats
          .

        • htc on 10/01/2025 - 18:35

          I read that Skoda is better than Volkswagen. I was interested in Skoda Octavia car but wasn't sure if it was reliable.

          • serpserpserp on 10/01/2025 - 21:27

            @htc: It is made by VW

            • htc on 10/01/2025 - 22:22

              @serpserpserp: I read in European country they use Skoda for taxis. The price are very attractive on carsale.com. Interesting their sedan is hatchback similar to Ford Mondeo (also have attractive price). I got interested in used car recently, attracted to the idea of getting a used cheap reliable ice car.

      • Jake D on 09/01/2025 - 14:17
        +3

        I've got two teenagers. I'd chose a mid sized sedan, wagon, or hatch over an SUV every time.

        SUVs are less safe, less efficient, more expensive to service, and usually have less storage space. They look like they have more space because they're taller, but there's a limit to how high you can stack your cargo.

        • geekcohen on 09/01/2025 - 14:27
          +1

          See I am a bit of the opposite. I prefer an SUV over a Sedan. I had a VE Commodore and was with 1 kid, my wife's SUV was heaps better and easier with the family. Better height for getting kids in and out, not bending down so much, easier to go prams in and out.

          My VE Commodore (V6) was more costly to run than my wife's SUV. VE was 10L per 100 and SUV was 6L per 100.

          Servicing was about the same same. My wife's SUV (Hyundai Tucson) cost $100 more to service than my Ford Ranger! So go figure on that cost of servicing.

          Overall, all for an SUV and I wouldn't ever go back to a Sedan with a family.

          • serpserpserp on 10/01/2025 - 22:25

            @geekcohen: Yeah mate an old VE Commodore is going to be crap compared to a newer SUV when thinking about efficiency. They aren't exactly poster child's for that. All the other stuff is just a preference for your car to be higher off the ground.

        • knasty on 09/01/2025 - 14:43

          I've had a 7 seat Kia Sorento for 10 years. Happy overall and the cargo space is good but there are a lot of tradeoffs inc ride quality, weight/fuel consumption etc. In hindsight I would have been better off with a Carnival (proper people mover if capacity is important) or a wagon + roof racks. Actually a Kia Rondo with roof racks would have been much more practical than the Sorento 99% of the time.

        • omguleh on 09/01/2025 - 19:31
          +1

          The people movers and vans are good too. I’ve been using a Hyundai Staria 8 seater van for the last 2.5 years and the extra space is just great.

        • htc on 10/01/2025 - 21:27

          Agree with less efficient because it cause more air drag. I was surprised it has less cargo space than sedan and less safe. Care to elaborate?

      • rumblytangara on 09/01/2025 - 15:00
        +1

        It seems like you do not have kids and know how much crap and stuff you need to around with a family.

        We drive a little hatchback totally fine with a family. Roof racks take bikes no problems.

        family car, driving to work, childcare, school and back home.

        An SUV for this sounds like all too typical me-me-me thinking. This is exactly what a small car sounds perfect for.

        • serpserpserp on 10/01/2025 - 22:28

          We have two cars, one hatch, one sedan. But are fine for a family under most circumstances

  • Caped Baldy on 09/01/2025 - 13:15
    +2

    Should have just bought the car. Then we'd get the inevitable "My Car is a Lemon" ozb post.

  • JimB on 09/01/2025 - 16:06
    +1

    "any other sites that would help to show the overall status / health of the car?"

    Other than PPSR, check the vehicle log book to make sure it's been serviced on time and test drive it. Of course a mechanic pre-purchase check if you're not mechanically minded.

    You can check the log book and also if the car has been repaired yourself (paint, panel alignment, bolts removed). If a car has been repaired to a high standard after some light damage, this isn't a concern. It's a used car, not brand new.

  • Euphemistic on 09/01/2025 - 16:35
    +4

    Ppsr doesnt show much more than it hasnt been written off or having financs over it.

    If you want to know the 'history' of the car the reports that are more than the PPSR $2 do virtually nothing extra. You need an inspection for that by a mechanic.

    Dont go buying a PPSR for every car you are interested in, only rhe ones that pass the first couple of goalposts. Ie right price, looks OK in person. If it then passes PPSR, the jts tine for a mechnical inspection - thatll cost you $200ish.

    • Ade99 on 10/01/2025 - 08:51

      Maybe ask if there is a maintenance history and the other question is that "is there any things which the seller has to live with?". It can bring forth a wealth of things the seller forgets to mention with a simple "is everything ok on the car?"

    • htc on 10/01/2025 - 21:23

      Do you recommend using NRMA mechanical inspection?

  • Gunnar on 10/01/2025 - 07:02
    +1

    Today is Friday, head to Carrington Car Co and Mickey will look after you and Your SUV needs

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