Do I need a roadworthy certificate to sell my car?
It depends on your state or territory and whether your car is registered. In some states (VIC, QLD, ACT, NT), a roadworthy or safety certificate is required to complete the sale. In the others, a roadworthy certificate generally isn’t required when selling a car.
When you don’t need a roadworthy certificate
If your car is unregistered - for example, you’ve handed in the plates, cancelled the registration or it’s a race car - you can advertise it for sale without a certificate. Just make sure you clearly state in the ad that the car is not roadworthy or registered.
State and territory requirements (as of January 2026)
You can sell a registered car privately without a roadworthy certificate. However, most cars over five years old need an annual safety inspection (a “pink slip”) before registration renewal. Buyers will need this inspection to re-register the car. |
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A current roadworthy certificate (RWC) is not required to list your ad, but it is usually required to complete a private sale. |
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You do not need a safety certificate to list a registered car for sale. But you must provide the safety certificate to the buyer before completion of the sale. A safety certificate generally isn’t required for cars that are unregistered or when selling to a dealer. For private sellers, the certificate is valid for 2 months or 2,000 km (whichever comes first). |
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Cars more than six years old require a Certificate of Inspection before being transferred to a new owner. Cars under six years old generally don’t. If the car is bought interstate it will need a Certification of Inspection. Certificates of Inspection are valid for one month. |
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You can generally sell a car privately without a roadworthy inspection. Buyers may still choose to have the car independently inspected by a mechanic before purchase. |
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A roadworthy certificate is generally not required for private sales. The Department of Transport may inspect the car if it’s being re-registered. |
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Private sellers are generally not required to provide a roadworthy certificate though a buyer may request a mechanical inspection for peace of mind. |
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Who pays for the roadworthy?
In states where a roadworthy or safety certificate is required (VIC, QLD, ACT, NT), the seller is generally responsible for obtaining it.
Some sellers of older or lower-value cars may try to pass the cost on to the buyer, especially if the car needs repairs to pass inspection. However, this can make the sale harder, as most buyers prefer cars that are already certified as roadworthy.
If a certificate expires before the sale is completed, you’ll need to obtain a new one.
Any information on this page is provided as a guide only. It is not professional or expert advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The content may not be appropriate, correct or sufficient for your circumstances and should not be relied on as the only reason you do or don’t do anything.