Safety tips when buying a car privately

Buying a car privately can be a scary thing! That’s why we always recommend using a car broker – Have you considered purchasing a car without one? Here are a few things to be wary of to keep yourself safe during the process.

It is a good idea to be wary of buying a car that you have not seen. There are instances of fake adverts appearing on genuine car sales websites, online classifieds and online auction sites, where second hand vehicles are offered at prices much lower than market value. As the old saying goes – if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.

If you are past this first hurdle, put together a list of questions that you can ask the seller – listen to the answers given and if there is any hesitation relating to a question that the seller would normally be able to answer easily – maybe the seller and the car being sold are not genuine. In this case, rather walk away.

It is very important that you should not provide the seller with any personal information at this stage of the proceedings. The seller should not at this stage need a copy of your driver’s licence or any banking information, or any other personal identification information.

So you are at the point that you would like to inspect the vehicle. Do not ask the seller to bring the vehicle to your home or office – rather arrange to meet at a neutral location, and if possible, take someone with you. Before you go, check that your insurance covers test drives, in case of an accident. A seller should not be asking you for any kind of deposit before you are ready to make an offer on the vehicle.

If you have test driven the vehicle, and you are thinking about making an offer, work out the optimum and highest amounts that you would be prepared to pay, before you start negotiating. You therefore need to do some research and know the market value of the car before you make any offer. Redbook.com.au will provide you with vehicle information as well as price guides and valuations. Another thing to check is the legal status of the vehicle. A Carfacts report is a good buy – it will quickly tell you if the vehicle has been stolen or written off, whether there id any finance owing on it, or it is suspected that the odometer has been rolled back.

When you have negotiated a price and now must pay the seller, use a payment method that will provide you with a proof of payment.

Looking for a simpler way to buy a car? Contact us today! Professional car brokers on hand to take the hassle out of buying and selling your car.

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

8 October 2017