Selling a vehicle in Queensland is more than just posting an ad and shaking hands. Our team at Sell Cars Easily recently revisited the process step-by-step to ensure full compliance with local laws—and discovered some important lessons worth sharing.
When the Sell Cars Easily team decided to refresh our private car sales checklist for the Sunshine Coast, we expected the usual paperwork and a bit of legwork. But even with years in the business, we were surprised by how many strict legal requirements Queensland enforces for car sellers.
So instead of keeping the knowledge in-house, we are sharing this guide—based on real-world practice—for anyone trying to sell a car privately in places like Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour, or Kawana Waters.
Whether you are selling a well-loved family SUV or scrapping an old ute, these tips will help you stay on the right side of the law.
What Queensland Law Says About Selling Cars
Queensland has clear laws in place for private vehicle sales, managed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). These laws aim to protect both buyers and sellers, especially from unfair sales or mechanical surprises.
Here is what is legally required if you plan to sell a registered vehicle in the Sunshine Coast region:
- You must obtain a safety certificate before advertising your car for sale.
- You must transfer the registration within 14 days of the sale.
- You should ensure there are no outstanding loans on the vehicle or disclose any finance upfront.
- Accurate odometer readings and vehicle condition details must be shared.
These rules are enforced across the state. Ignoring them can lead to penalties—and in some cases, fraud allegations.
Safety Certificate: Your Legal Starting Point
Before you even list your car on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, you are required by law to get a safety certificate.
This certificate is proof that your vehicle meets Queensland’s minimum safety standards. It must be issued by an authorised inspection station and is valid for up to 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first.
At Sell Cars Easily, we regularly work with certified inspection providers across the Sunshine Coast to ensure this step is handled quickly. The seller must always pay for this certificate, and if the car fails, necessary repairs must be made before a new certificate can be issued.
Applies to:
✔ Sedans
✔ 4WDs
✔ Light trailers
✔ Utes
✔ Motorcycles
Transferring Ownership the Right Way
One of the biggest mistakes we see sellers make is failing to transfer ownership properly. Queensland law states that both buyer and seller must notify the TMR within 14 days of the sale.
If this step is skipped or delayed, the seller could still be legally responsible for toll fines, speeding tickets, or other penalties long after the car is gone.
What we recommend at Sell Cars Easily:
- Use the online TMR transfer system for faster processing.
- Provide a written sale agreement with the buyer.
- Keep photocopies of all ID and documents.
This simple step avoids months of headaches.
What Is a PPSR Check and Why Buyers Expect It
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a national tool that lets buyers confirm if a car:
- Has any finance owing
- Is stolen
- Was previously written off
Buyers are increasingly aware of this tool and often request proof. A PPSR report costs just a few dollars and can be ordered online instantly. At Sell Cars Easily, we provide this with every vehicle to boost transparency and help build trust with potential buyers.
If you are a private seller, showing a clear PPSR certificate can be the difference between a successful sale and a lost opportunity.
Pros and Cons of Private Selling in Sunshine Coast
Selling your car privately has its perks:
- Higher potential sale price
- Direct negotiation with buyers
- More control over the final deal
But there are downsides too:
- You handle all inspections, legal documents, and buyer interactions
- No dealership warranty or return protection
- Time-consuming and often stressful
If you are confident in handling your paperwork and negotiations, a private sale makes sense. If not, Sell Cars Easily also works with licensed car buyers who can help take the pressure off.
Best Scenarios for Private Sale
Based on our recent activity, here are the situations where private selling is usually the best fit:
- The car is fully paid off
- It is less than 10 years old and in good condition
- You are comfortable with online listing and buyer calls
- You are not in a rush to sell and want a fair price
For example, a family in Buderim looking to upgrade their vehicle could list their sedan online and manage inquiries over a week or two.
What Documents You Need to Sell a Car in Sunshine Coast
Here is the list we follow for every Sunshine Coast vehicle sale:
📄 Safety certificate
📄 Registration certificate
📄 Proof of PPSR check
📄 Odometer reading
📄 Buyer and seller photo ID
📄 Transfer of ownership form
📄 Vehicle service history (optional but helpful)
We also include a written bill of sale, even for unregistered or scrap cars.
Selling Scrap or Unregistered Cars? Fewer Rules, Same Risks
If the car is unregistered or classified as scrap, you are not required to get a safety certificate.
However, you must:
- Write a bill of sale
- Record both parties’ full names, addresses, and licence numbers
- Clearly state that the car is sold “as is”
This protects the seller from liability and sets expectations for the buyer. This is common for car removals in outer suburbs or industrial areas like Yandina or Coolum.
What If You Ignore the Law?
Here is what can happen if you skip the rules:
❌ Advertise a car without a safety certificate = $600+ fine
❌ Do not transfer registration = Fines and liability risks
❌ Mislead buyers = Fraud and legal action
Sell Cars Easily takes legal compliance seriously—because skipping one step can ruin a clean sale.
Our Top Tips for a Legal & Smooth Sale
✔ Always get the safety certificate first
✔ Include a PPSR report
✔ Use a written bill of sale, even for scrap vehicles
✔ Complete the TMR transfer within 14 days
✔ Meet buyers in public places
✔ Keep photocopies of all IDs and receipts
✔ Take clear photos of the odometer and vehicle condition
Who Should Follow This Guide?
This article is essential reading for:
- Private sellers in the Sunshine Coast
- Buyers of second-hand cars
- Vehicle recyclers and those selling unregistered cars
- Residents in Noosa, Nambour, Maroochydore, Buderim, Caloundra, and Kawana Waters
Final Thoughts from Sell Cars Easily
At Sell Cars Easily, we believe that selling a car should be safe, legal, and clear. From getting your safety certificate to submitting transfer forms on time, every detail matters.
Whether you are scrapping an old ute or upgrading your vehicle, follow the law — and make the sale simple for everyone involved.
This article was prepared by the team at Sell Cars Easily — a Sunshine Coast-based platform that helps individuals sell their cars for cash confidently and with legal clarity. From private sales to car removal, we simplify every step.
