If you’re getting ready to sell a car privately in Perth – especially one that’s old, damaged, or hasn’t run in years – the roadworthy certificate question comes up almost immediately. In some states you can’t sell a car without one. In Western Australia, the rules work differently, and knowing exactly what’s required (and what isn’t) can save you time and money.
The Short Answer: No, WA Doesn’t Require One
Western Australia does not require a roadworthy certificate, safety certificate, or pre-sale inspection for a private car sale. This is a genuine point of difference from states like Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, and the Northern Territory, where a certified mechanic has to sign off on the vehicle before the sale can be finalised.
If your car is currently licensed, you can sell it as-is – running, not running, accident-damaged, or otherwise – without arranging any kind of inspection first. The Department of Transport puts the responsibility for judging whether a car is roadworthy on the buyer, not the seller, much like buying most other second-hand goods. That doesn’t mean sellers have no obligations at all; there are still a few legal steps to follow, covered below.
What You Actually Need to Do When Selling Privately
Lodge a Notification of Disposal
Once the car has changed hands, you’re required to notify the Department of Transport, within seven days, that you’re no longer the owner. This is done through your seller’s copy of the Notification of Change of Ownership (MR9) form, or online via DoTDirect. Until it’s lodged, the vehicle stays linked to your name – meaning any fines, tolls, or infringements the new owner picks up could land back on you. It’s a small step, but skipping it is where most avoidable headaches come from after a private sale.
Complete the Transfer Paperwork
Both parties fill in and sign the transfer form together at the point of sale. As the seller, you keep your copy and give the buyer theirs, along with the current licence papers. Worth doing properly even for a cheap or damaged car – it’s the only clean record the sale actually happened.
Remember the Plates Stay With You
Unlike some other states, in WA the number plates belong to the vehicle licence, not the car. When you sell a vehicle, the plates don’t go with it unless you’ve specifically arranged a plate transfer. This is easy to forget when a car is being towed away rather than driven off.
When a Vehicle Inspection Is Required
There are specific situations where an inspection at an Authorised Inspection Station becomes necessary in WA – for example, licensing a vehicle for the first time, responding to a defect notice (a “yellow sticker”), or re-registering a repairable written-off vehicle. A straightforward private sale of a currently licensed car isn’t one of them. If your situation touches on any of these, it’s worth checking directly with the Department of Transport, since the process and fees vary by case.
“No Roadworthy Required” Doesn’t Mean “No Responsibility”
Private car sales in WA aren’t covered by the Australian Consumer Law the way dealer sales are, but misrepresenting a car’s condition can still land you in a dispute. If you’re advertising a vehicle with accident damage or a non-runner, describing it accurately protects you as much as the buyer. On the upside, this is where WA’s rules work in your favour if the car isn’t worth repairing – you’re not required to spend money getting it roadworthy-certified first, which matters when the cost of inspecting and repairing a written-off or flood-damaged vehicle can easily exceed what it’s worth.
Selling to a Licensed Car Removal Service
For cars that are damaged, deregistered, written off, or simply not worth the hassle of a private sale, selling to a licensed wrecker sidesteps most of this. Cash For Cars Perth buys vehicles across the Perth metro area – cars, utes, trucks, vans, and 4WDs, running or not, in any condition, for up to $9,999 cash. There’s no advertising, no negotiating with unreliable buyers, and no waiting around.
The process is straightforward: call for a quote, and if the price works, free same-day towing can often be arranged within two to three hours if you call before midday. Payment is cash or instant OSKO bank transfer, before the car leaves your property, and all you need on hand is valid photo ID – it doesn’t have to be in the registered owner’s name. You’ll still need to lodge your own Notification of Disposal afterwards, same as with any private sale.
A few vehicles fall outside what can be purchased: stolen cars, vehicles still under finance, and bodies without a chassis. Everything else – running, non-running, accident, flood or fire-damaged, deregistered, or written off – is generally fair game. The service covers Perth metro only and doesn’t extend to Bunbury or further south.
Get a Quote
If you’d rather skip the roadworthy question altogether and just get the car gone, call Cash For Cars Perth on 0420 262 651 for a free, no-obligation quote. The team is based at 5 Hantke Place, Welshpool, and is open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.