What to do before buying a vehicle at an auction
If you’re buying from an auction, consider finding out further information on the vehicle, such as whether it’s been reported as stolen or written off.
You can do this by getting a VicRoads Vehicle Report.
Transferring the registration after you buy
If you buy a registered vehicle with plates at an auction in Victoria, you’ll need to arrange transfer the registration within 14 days.
To complete the transfer, you can either:
- visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre
- do this online via your myVicRoads account (if the auction house has initiated the transfer already).
You’ll need to have the following documents:
- the Vehicle transfer form (PDF)
- the receipt from the auction house (must be in the name of the person registering the vehicle)
- a roadworthy certificate from the seller (unless exempt).
You’ll also need to pay the transfer fee and motor vehicle duty (unless you’re eligible for an exemption).
If the auction house notified us of the transfer
Some auction houses will let us know that you have purchased the vehicle. In that case, the registration will be put into your name automatically. You can then complete the transfer and submit the roadworthy certificate online through your myVicRoads account.
If the vehicle sold to you is unregistered or doesn’t have number plates, you’ll need to re-register the vehicle.
If you are driving the vehicle home after purchasing it or driving it to get checked for a roadworthy certificate, you’ll need to get an unregistered vehicle permit.
If the vehicle will stay in Victoria, you’ll need to have a Victorian driver licence or a VicRoads customer number before the auction, so that the vehicle can be transferred into your name.
If you don’t have this, you’ll need to get a VicRoads customer number by visiting a VicRoads Customer Service Centre with:
Once you have your customer number, you’ll be able to complete the transfer online.
If you want to take the vehicle to another state, let the auction house know. They’ll cancel the vehicle’s registration and destroy the Victoria number plates. You won’t need to get a roadworthy certificate or pay a transfer fee or motor vehicle duty in Victoria.
Don’t forget to get an unregistered vehicle permit before you drive it!
Bidding on behalf of someone else
Before you bid on behalf of someone else, make sure you:
- nominate yourself as the bidder
- inform the auction house of the buyer’s details.
If you don’t nominate a buyer before the auction, the vehicle will be transferred into your name. In that case, you’ll be responsible for organising a transfer later which may include transfer fees. So, make sure the auction house’s receipt includes the buyer’s details.