Post-Purchase Guide
This guide is designed to help users in considering what happens when they purchase a vehicle.
By reading this guide before you conclude a purchase, you may save yourself some time, money and reduce some headaches for yourself along the way.
Understanding Insurance for Your New Vehicle
What happened to cover notes?
You might have heard older family members mention "cover notes" when talking about car insurance. These were temporary insurance certificates that used to provide short-term coverage whilst you sorted out your full policy. However, insurers no longer offer cover notes in Australia.
How insurance works now
The good news is that modern car insurance is actually simpler! When you purchase a policy today, it becomes active immediately. Most policies also include a cooling-off period (typically 14 to 31 days) during which you can cancel for a full refund if you haven't made any claims.
If you need temporary coverage:
- Choose the type of policy you need (comprehensive, third party, or third party fire and theft)
- Purchase the policy - you'll be covered from the start date on your certificate
- If you change your mind, you can cancel within the cooling-off period
Important: Get insured before you drive your new vehicle anywhere - for the sake of your vehicle, you own life and the lives of others.
Here's something we can't stress enough - you're responsible for your car from the moment you take ownership. Before driving your new vehicle anywhere, make sure you have insurance sorted. There are too many stories of brand-new purchases being damaged within minutes because the owner wasn't familiar with the vehicle.
What you need to know about CTP Insurance
All vehicles in Australia must have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance before they can be registered and legally driven on the road. The good news? If the car you're buying is already registered, the CTP insurance transfers to you automatically. You won't need to buy new CTP insurance until the current registration expires.
Remember: CTP insurance only covers injuries to other people - it doesn't cover damage to your car or other people's property. For that protection, you'll want comprehensive or third-party property damage insurance.
Your First Week Checklist
Congratulations on your new vehicle! We know there's a lot to think about right now, so we've put together a simple checklist to help you get everything sorted in those important first few days.
Day 1 - Before you drive away
☐ Read your owner's manual
Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your new vehicle. Every car is different, and you'll want to know where everything is:
- How do the windscreen wipers work?
- Where's the cruise control?
- Where's the emergency brake located?
- What do the different dashboard warning lights mean?
Your owner's manual has all this information plus important safety details and emergency contact numbers.
Arrange your insurance
As we mentioned above, get this sorted before you drive off. Your car is your responsibility from the moment you take ownership.
☐ Complete the transfer paperwork
You'll need to complete Vehicle Transfer or Change of Ownership forms, signed by both you and the seller. Keep a copy for your records - it's proof of the transfer date and protects both parties. In some states, the seller handles this; in others, it's your responsibility. Check your state's requirements.
Within the first few days
☐ Register your vehicle
It's illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle, and you could face fines or penalties. If you bought from a dealership, they might help with this paperwork. If you bought privately, you'll need to register the transfer of ownership online through your state's transport authority.
☐ Sort out the title transfer and pay the stamp duties
The vehicle's title proves you're the legal owner. If you bought the car outright, make sure the title is transferred to your name. If you used a car loan, your lender will hold the title until the loan is paid off (but you'll need to show proof of insurance and registration).
☐ Update your roadside assistance
If you have roadside assistance, give them a quick call to update your vehicle details. You'll want that coverage active from day one!
☐ Register with your tollway provider
Before you hit any toll roads, make sure your tollway account is updated with your new vehicle's registration number.
☐ Give your car a thorough inspection
Take some time to really look over your vehicle. If it's brand new, check for any marks or scratches you might have missed at the dealership - flag these immediately. This is also a good time to familiarise yourself with where everything is located.
☐ Review the maintenance schedule
Check with your dealer (or the previous owner) about when the next service is due. Don't be tempted to skip early maintenance - keeping up with the schedule protects your investment and keeps your warranty valid.
Know Your Consumer Rights
We believe in empowering you with knowledge. When you purchase a vehicle in Australia, you have important legal protections - and we want to make sure you know where to find help if you need it.
National protection: Australian Consumer Law
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) provides consumer guarantees for all vehicles purchased from licensed traders or dealers. These guarantees mean your vehicle must: Be of acceptable quality, match any descriptions provided, be fit for the purpose you told the dealer about, and match any sample or demonstration model.
Important note: These protections apply to dealer purchases only. If you bought from a private seller, different rules apply.
Warranties you should know about
New vehicles: Come with a manufacturer's warranty - make sure you understand what's covered and for how long.
Used vehicles from dealers: Most used vehicles less than a certain age and mileage are covered by a statutory warranty. Your dealer must give you an information statement explaining what this covers. The specific terms vary by state. In Victoria, for example, used cars less than 10 years old with less than 160,000km are covered for three months or 5,000km (whichever comes first).
Where to get help in your state
Each state and territory has a consumer protection agency that can help if things go wrong. They can provide information about your rights, help you understand your options, and sometimes help negotiate a resolution with the seller.
Australian Capital Territory
Access Canberra - www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading - www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory
NT Consumer Affairs - www.consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au
Queensland
Office of Fair Trading Queensland - www.qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services - www.cbs.sa.gov.au
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services - www.cbos.tas.gov.au
Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria - www.consumer.vic.gov.au/cars
Phone: 1300 55 81 81
Special note for Victorian buyers: If you bought a used car from a dealer and they won't repair a fault covered by statutory warranty, you can make a claim to the Motor Car Traders Guarantee Fund for compensation up to $40,000 at no cost to you.
Western Australia
Consumer Protection WA - www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au
National body:
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) - www.accc.gov.au
Phone: 1300 302 502
What if you bought from a private seller?
Private sales offer less legal protection. The seller must be truthful about the vehicle, but there are no consumer guarantees or statutory warranties. That's why we always recommend:
- Getting a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic
- Checking the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) for any money owing on the vehicle
- Obtaining as much documentation as possible about the vehicle's history
Keeping Records for Your Future Sale
Here's something that many new vehicle owners don't think about straight away - but your future self will thank you for! Keeping good records from day one makes selling your vehicle much easier down the track and can significantly increase its resale value.
Why service history matters
Think of your service history as your vehicle's story. It shows potential buyers that you've taken care of your car, which builds trust and can justify a higher selling price. Cars with complete service histories tend to sell faster too!
Your essential document kit
We recommend keeping these documents together in a safe place (not in the car, in case it's stolen):
Core ownership documents:
- Purchase contract and transfer documents
- Registration papers
- Current insurance certificate
- Original roadworthy/safety certificate
- PPSR check results
- Warranty documentation
- Finance documents (if applicable)
Maintenance records:
- Service logbook (the most important document!)
- All service receipts from authorised repairers
- Records of any repairs or maintenance work
- Receipts for replacement parts
- Any modification or upgrade documentation
What to record in your service logbook
Your service logbook is the heart of your vehicle's history. After every service or repair, make sure the following is recorded:
- Date of the service
- Odometer reading at the time
- What work was done (be specific: "oil change," "brake pad replacement," "timing belt service")
- Who did the work (name and location of the service provider)
- When the next service is due
Don't forget to get the logbook stamped by the service provider - this gives it authenticity.
Regular services to record:
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and repairs
- Tyre rotations and replacements
- Fluid top-ups or replacements (coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid)
- Battery replacements
- Air filter changes
- Scheduled major services (every 10,000-15,000km or 6-12 months)
- Any repair work or parts replacements
Digital service records
Some newer vehicles are moving to digital service records instead of physical logbooks. If your car has a digital system:
- Make sure you understand how to access it
- Keep your login details secure
- When you sell the vehicle, you'll need to transfer access to the new owner
- Request in writing that you be given full ownership and access credentials
Tip: Even if you have digital records, keep physical receipts as backup!
Best practices for record keeping
- Keep it accessible: Store your logbook at home (or scan it digitally), not in your car. You'll want to refer to it when booking services, and you don't want to lose it if something happens to the vehicle.
- Review it regularly: Every few months, take a quick look through your records. This helps you spot patterns (like recurring issues) and reminds you when the next service is due.
- Update it immediately: Don't wait to record a service - do it as soon as the work is done. It's easy to forget details later!
- Keep receipts too: Even with a stamped logbook, keep the detailed receipts. They provide extra proof and can include important warranty information.
What if you've lost records?
Don't panic! If you've lost your service logbook or it's incomplete:
- Contact your service provider - they can usually print copies of past invoices
- You can order a replacement logbook through a dealer (for a fee)
- Some buyers won't mind an incomplete history for older vehicles, though it may affect the selling price
Looking ahead
We know it might seem early to think about selling when you've just bought your vehicle, but starting with good record-keeping habits now means:
- Higher resale value when the time comes
- Faster sale process
- Proof of good maintenance if anything goes wrong
- Easy reference for scheduling future services
- Protection if there's ever a dispute about work done
Your vehicle is a significant investment, and these records are its protection. Think of keeping them as taking care of your future self.
Need More Support?
At AutoSettle, we're here to help make your vehicle ownership journey as smooth as possible. If you have questions about anything in this guide or need assistance with your AutoSettle transaction, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team.
Remember: This guide provides general information only. For specific advice about your situation, we recommend consulting with the relevant authorities or professional advisers in your state.
Safe driving, and congratulations again on your purchase!
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