Free Western Australia Used Car Bill of Sale
Selling a used car privately in Western Australia involves two separate deadline obligations that catch many sellers off guard: the buyer must complete the vehicle licence transfer with DoT WA within 5 business days of the sale, and the seller must independently lodge a Duty to Notify (DNT) form within 5 business days to shed ongoing liability. Missing either deadline attracts fines and leaves the seller exposed to infringement notices issued against the vehicle. Private used-car sales are sold AS-IS unless the seller provides a written warranty.
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Western Australia Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Stamp Duty / Tax Details
Stamp duty on private vehicle sales in WA is $2.75 per $100 of dutiable value for vehicles up to $25,000 (e.g. a $25,000 car = $687.50). Graduated rates apply above $25,000. Duty is assessed on market value if the stated price is below market.
Inspection / Roadworthy Requirements
WA does not require a pre-sale roadworthy certificate for private vehicle transfers. The buyer may arrange a voluntary inspection at their own expense before purchase. Safety inspections are required when a vehicle is first registered in WA after coming from another state.
Western Australia Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Prepare a signed bill of sale recording the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, agreed sale price, date of sale, and full legal names and addresses of both parties.
- Both parties complete the Transfer of Vehicle Licence form available at any DoT WA licensing centre or via MyLicence online.
- Seller lodges the Duty to Notify (DNT) with DoT WA within 5 business days — this extinguishes the seller's liability for traffic infringements after the sale date.
- Buyer pays WA stamp duty at $2.75 per $100 on the sale price (or market value if higher) before or at transfer.
- Buyer presents the transfer form, bill of sale, identity documents, and duty payment to DoT WA within 5 business days.
- If there is outstanding finance on the vehicle, the seller obtains a written letter of clearance from the financier before settlement.
- Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale for at least 5 years.
- Write "sold as-is, no warranty" on the receipt unless a statutory warranty applies (dealer sales only).
- Run a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) search — costs ~$2 AUD — to check for finance encumbrances.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 5-business-day transfer deadline: DoT WA will issue an infringement to the buyer, and the seller may remain listed as the registered owner — attracting parking fines, speed camera notices, and toll debts from the vehicle's ongoing use.
- Forgetting the Duty to Notify: many WA sellers assume the buyer's transfer filing covers them — it does not. The DNT is a separate seller obligation lodged regardless of whether the buyer has completed their side.
- Stamp duty on undervalued transfers: DoT WA checks the stated price against the Redbook/market value guide. If your sale price looks artificially low, the duty will be recalculated on market value and a shortfall notice issued to the buyer.
- Selling a vehicle with outstanding finance without disclosing it: a financier's security interest registered on the PPSR survives a sale. The buyer should run a PPSR check (ppsr.gov.au, ~$2 AUD) before purchase.
- Not running a PPSR check — if the car has outstanding finance, the lender can repossess it from the new owner.
- Statutory warranties only apply to dealer sales in most states; private sellers are not bound by them.
Pro Tip
The 5-business-day deadlines in WA are strictly enforced — don't wait until the weekend is over to file. Sellers should lodge the DNT the same day as settlement if possible, and buyers should attend a DoT WA centre or complete the online transfer before the fifth business day to avoid fines and duty penalties.