How much is a REVS check?

REVS check cost is an important thing to know when you are buying a used car in Australia. A basic government PPSR search costs very little. But the price can be higher when you use a private service that provides much more. That is an easy way to check VIN and to get wider vehicle information.

If you are looking at a second-hand car, spending a few dollars on a vehicle check can be worthwhile. Better to find important problems before hand over the money. A check may shows vehicle’s critical information.

What is REVS check? Its History? Source?

A REVS check is the name many Australians still use for a vehicle finance and history check.

REVS stands for Register of Encumbered Vehicles. Australian Government’s Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) replaced the old REVS system.

Today, when people talk about doing a REVS check, they usually mean a PPSR vehicle search.

The PPSR is a national register. It can show whether a security interest is recorded against a vehicle. This is important because a car with money owing may still be subject to the lender’s rights.

Costs to check REVS? Official cost? Other Benefits?

The REVS check cost depends on where you get the check.

The Australian Government currently charges $2 for an online PPSR search. An assisted phone search costs $7.

However, private vehicle-check websites like us can charge more because of many reasons. Such as they provide easier vehicle finder via VIN or Rego (plate) number. The reports the provide may combine PPSR information with other vehicle data. They provide an easier-to-read report.

For example, some private services currently advertise reports around $5 to $10. While other providers charge more for larger or more detailed reports. Prices can change, so always check the final price before paying.

This means there is no single price for every REVS check in Australia.

Typical REVS check costs

The important point is to check what is included rather than choosing a report only because it is cheap. See what’s included in VinVerify reports. 

REVS check report – Whats inside?

The information available depends on the type of report you buy.

A PPSR vehicle search can provide important information connected with the vehicle. It can show whether there is a security interest recorded against the vehicle.

Depending on the service you use, a wider vehicle report may also include:

• Finance owing
• Stolen vehicle information
• Written-off records
• Vehicle registration details
• VIN and vehicle details
• Make and model
• Engine information
• Registration information
• Other available government vehicle data

This is why the REVS check cost can be different between websites.

One website may provide only the basic PPSR search. Another may collect several sources of vehicle information and put them into one report.

Checking REVS – compare cost? 

When comparing vehicle check websites, what should i look for. Do not look at price alone.

Check:

• Is the report based on Australian government data?
• Is a PPSR certificate included?
• Does it check finance owing?
• Does it include stolen vehicle information?
• Does it include written-off information?
• Is the report delivered quickly?
• Is the final price clear before payment?
• Can you search using the VIN?
• Are there any extra fees at checkout?

A cheap report may be fine if it provides the information you need. A more expensive report may be useful if it includes extra vehicle history information.

FAQs

Why is the $2 PPSR search so cheap?

The Australian Government’s PPSR search is designed to let you search the register directly.

The current online fee is only $2. The government says the search can help you find out if a vehicle has a security interest recorded against it.

A basic PPSR search can be useful when buying a used car privately.

It can help answer an important question: Does this vehicle have money owing or another security interest recorded against it?

If finance is still owing, buying the car without checking could create a serious problem. In some cases, the lender may have rights over the vehicle even after you have paid the seller.

Is a $2 REVS check enough?

For checking whether a security interest is recorded, the government PPSR search can be a useful and low-cost option.

But a buyer may want more information before buying an expensive used car.

For example, you may also want to know if the vehicle has been reported as stolen or written off. The Australian Government recommends a PPSR search before buying a used vehicle. This explains that it can help identify risks such as finance owing, stolen status and written-off history.

A broader vehicle history report can make it easier to review this information in one place.

The key is to understand what you are paying for.

Does a REVS check include registration information?

Not every PPSR search should be treated as a full registration check.

The PPSR is mainly concerned with security interests and related vehicle information. A registration check is a separate type of search. That can provide information about the vehicle’s current registration.

If you are buying a vehicle in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania , the ACT or the Northern Territory. check the relevant state or territory information as well.

For this reason, a good used-car buying process should not rely on one check.

Use VIN or registration number?

If possible, using the VIN is a good choice.

Most modern vehicles have a 17-character VIN. PPSR vehicle search requires the vehicle’s VIN or chassis number. They do not allow a search using only the number plate or engine number.

Before ordering your report, carefully check the VIN. A wrong VIN can return information for a different vehicle. Always compare the VIN on the report with the VIN on the car.

You can usually find the VIN:

• At the bottom of the windscreen
• Inside the driver’s door area
• Under the bonnet
• On vehicle paperwork

For older vehicles, a chassis number may be used instead.

When should you do a REVS check?

The best time is before you buy the car.

Do not wait until after you have paid the seller.

You can ask the seller for the VIN and run the check while you are considering the vehicle. If the report shows a problem, you can ask the seller for more information before making a decision.

This is especially important when buying privately.

A car can look clean, drive well and have a good service history but still have a financial or other history problem.

Is the REVS check cost worth paying?

For most used-car buyers, yes.

Even if you pay $5, $10 or a little more for a broader report, the cost is small compared with the price of a used car.

Imagine buying a $15,000 vehicle and later finding out there is a major problem with its history. Spending a few dollars before buying can give you useful information and may help you to avoid a costly mistake.

The Australian Government itself recommends doing a PPSR search before buying a used vehicle.

The check should not replace a mechanical inspection, however.

A PPSR or REVS check is a history and security check. It is not a full mechanical inspection and it does not guarantee that the vehicle is mechanically sound.

For a safer buy, consider doing both:

1. Check the vehicle history.
2. Check the PPSR.
3. Inspect the VIN.
4. Take the car for a test drive.
5. Get an independent mechanical inspection.
6. Check the registration details.
7. Compare the vehicle with the seller’s description.

Summary

The REVS check cost in Australia can be as little as $2 for an online government PPSR search. However private vehicle history services can charge more for more information and a packaged report. Check official PPSR vehicle search and fees.

The old REVS system is now part of the PPSR system, but many Australians still use the term “REVS check” when talking about checking a used car.

If you are buying a second-hand vehicle, do the check before paying the seller. A few dollars spent on a vehicle history check can help you find important information and make a more informed buying decision.

You can also see the government’s current PPSR fee information here. PPSR fees

Note: Prices charged by private REVS/PPSR report providers can change. Always check the final price and what is included before ordering.

Related article: How to read VIN or Decode a VIN