Van Guide

Buy or rent?

From about two to three months of travel, your own van usually pays off compared with a rental car or bus — provided you sell it again at the end. Allow time for selling: if you sell under pressure, you can easily lose a few thousand dollars.

Prices are guidelines from 2026 backpacker guides (GoGaffl). PPSR fee according to the Personal Property Securities Register.

Inspection checklist

• Do a PPSR checkFor 2 AUD at ppsr.gov.au. Shows whether there is still money owing on the vehicle or whether it has been reported stolen or written off.
• Match the VINThe vehicle identification number on the car, in the rego papers and in the PPSR report must match.
• Check the regoHow long is the registration still valid, in which state, and is the seller listed as the owner?
• Roadworthy certificateRequired on sale depending on the state — see the table below. Ideally no more than a few weeks old.
• Service historyReceipts for oil changes, timing belt, tyres. No receipts with high kilometres is a warning sign.
• Rust and underbodyEspecially on vehicles from the coast or the tropical north.
• Cold start and test driveThe engine should be cold. Test brakes, steering, clutch and air con, and on a 4WD engage four-wheel drive.
• Check the gearBed, fridge or cooler, second battery, stove, spare wheel — what's included, what's missing?
• Never pay in advanceNo deposit for a car you haven't seen. Only pay once the transfer form is signed.

Transferring rego

1. Fill in the transfer form — buyer and seller sign together, plus a receipt with date, price and VIN.
2. Mind the deadline — the transfer usually has to be done within 14 days, faster in some states.
3. Transfer in the state of registration — the transfer goes through the authority of the state the van is registered in. You usually need an address there; a hostel can be enough.
4. Seller notifies too — the seller also reports the sale, otherwise they remain liable for fines.

Western Australia advantage: Among backpackers, vans with WA rego are considered the easiest because the transfer there can be done by post. That makes buying and reselling across the country easier — check the current rules with Transport WA before you buy.

Roadworthy and responsible authority

Based on Australia Backpackers Guide and Aussie Car Check. Rules change — confirm with the authority before you buy.

Selling

• Start early: List it at least three to four weeks before your flight.
• Where: Facebook groups for backpacker vans, Gumtree, noticeboards in hostels. Cities with lots of arrivals like Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns or Perth have the most buyers.
• Add value: A fresh service and valid rego raise the price more than new decor.
• Wrap it up properly: Transfer form, receipt and notifying the authority — only then is the van no longer yours.