Buying a car or van in Australia

Chapter 4 of 8

Where to search for a car or van to buy

On the Internet

The Internet is the place to start your search for a vehicle. Go online and look up the running prices for your area and time of year. This will help you get a sense of the current market.

Here are a few websites to consult:

• Gumtree
• Facebook groups for backpackers in Australia (or in a specific city)
• Carsales.com.au
• Carsguide.com.au
• Facebook Marketplace. Make sure to switch the location to where you are!

In the street

Keep your eyes open for “for sale” signs on vehicles. Take a photo of the ad so that you can contact the seller to learn more.

Adverts

Hostels, supermarkets, cafes, etc. often have bulletin boards with relevant local announcements and ads. The local paper usually has a section for ads, too.

Word of mouth

Many travellers approaching the end of their stay try to sell their vehicle or other belongings at their hostels, or by posting in backpacker Facebook groups, etc. As such, talk to the reception desk of your accommodation and to other travellers (in person and online!). Word of mouth can be a goldmine.

At car dealerships

Car dealerships are usually located in commercial areas accessible by public transport, and like anyone else, they put their ads on the Internet. Search for vehicles that are up for sale and make a visit to the dealership to learn more.

Who should you buy a car or van from?

Some people might tell you that local residents take better care of their vehicles than working holiday makers do. This is possible, but there are also some locals who buy a vehicle from a backpacker during low season for a good price, and then mark it up to resell it during high season (October to December). In the process, they make a nice profit. Going with a local is, therefore, not guaranteed to be a good deal.

Buying from other backpackers means they will have probably already used the vehicle for their own road trip across Australia, so watch out for mileage that is too high. On the other hand, you could find a great deal, especially if the backpacker needs to make a quick sale before they leave the country and is willing to slash the price.

One advantage of buying from professional dealerships is that their vehicles are subject to a statutory warranty (usually three months or 5,000 km). Unfortunately, vehicles exceeding a certain age or mileage are not always included in this warranty.

If you go with a dealership, ask whether the warranty applies. The rules vary by state, so you can also check if it would be more advantageous to travel to a different state for a better deal. If warranty does not apply to your desired vehicle, ask if there is an option to purchase extended warranty.

Overall, you can’t generalise about locals, backpackers or professional dealerships being better than the other, since there will always be a mix of honest and dishonest people. Do your research and listen to your gut to avoid being taken advantage of.

When is the best time of year to buy a car or van?

In the southern half of the country, vehicles are generally cheaper around late May and early June. In the northern half, it is cheaper during September and October. People usually sell at the end of the sunny season, so that is when inventory is the highest and prices the lowest.

Demand affects the prices too. Large waves of working holiday makers arrive in Australia in November and December, so vehicle prices can double due to the increased demand. For good prices, you should avoid the peak summer season.

Generally, large cities (e.g. Sydney and Melbourne) and their surroundings have the greatest supply of vehicles for sale. Even though there is lots of demand there, you will likely find the best deals and have plenty of cars to choose from (except for during the November to January high season).

Vehicle registration is also very important. Rules vary from state to state, but registered vehicles are more sought after.