Take care when choosing a car to buy.  Taking the time to research your choices and rights before buying can help avoid problems.

Before buying a car, you should:

• compare on-road and operating costs including:
  • including registration
  • compulsory third-party insurance
  • stamp duty
  • additional insurance
  • fuel
  • servicing and spare parts.
• get an independent safety assessment on new cars through the Australian New Car Assessment Program
• test drive the car
• get an independent vehicle inspection on a used car by a qualified person
• check the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to make sure there’s no money owing on it (there a small fee to check vehicles)
• ask about and compare after sales support and warranties that different sellers and manufacturers offer
• understand the purpose of fuel consumption labels on new cars
• note there are no statutory cooling-off rights or “lemon laws” for motor vehicle sales in Tasmania.

All motor vehicle traders in Tasmania must have a licence to sell:

• used cars
• other used cars.

Search for a vehicle trader licence to make sure the dealer is licensed.