Lexi Webster
If you want to find out your car model in Australia, there are a few ways to go about it. One way is to search for car parts using a Rego Search function, which covers most vehicles made after 1990. You can also look up your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a unique fingerprint for your car and includes information on its unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. Additionally, as of July 1, 2021, you can refer to the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), a public online database of vehicles approved for the Australian market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the car | Refers to the manufacturing year, but could also mean the year the car was built or complied or a MY car. |
| Model year | Found in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
| VIN | A unique 17-character identifier composed of digits and capital letters that displays the car's unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. |
| Repco Rego Search | A registration search that helps find car parts. |
| Third-party data | Repco does not sell data to third-party companies. |
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What You'll Learn
Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique serial number used to identify individual vehicles. VINs are 17 characters long and consist of numbers and uppercase letters, excluding I, O and Q to prevent confusion with similar-looking numbers. The first three characters make up the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which is unique to each manufacturer.
VINS can be used to identify the make, model, year of manufacture, and other vehicle details. They are particularly useful for detecting fraud and identifying stolen vehicles. When buying a vehicle from a private seller, checking the VIN can help determine if there is any finance owing.
VINs can be found in several locations, including on the vehicle itself, often on a small metal plate attached to the dashboard or driver's side door frame, or in the owner's manual. The VIN may also be listed on registration documents and insurance paperwork.
There are several online tools available to decode VINs and access detailed vehicle information. For example, carVertical offers a free VIN decoder for Australian vehicles, providing information such as mileage records, damages, theft records, and model-specific issues. Repco also offers a secure Rego Search function to locate car parts by VIN, ensuring proper fitment for your vehicle.
It is important to note that older vehicles, particularly those produced between 1954 and 1981, may have different VIN formats, requiring specialised tools for decoding. Additionally, vehicles from Japan typically use chassis or frame numbers instead of VINs, needing a different type of decoder.
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Check the chassis code
The chassis number, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), is a unique identifier that plays a crucial role in verifying the authenticity of a vehicle. It is stamped onto the vehicle's frame and is primarily used by manufacturers. The chassis number is shorter than the VIN, but it still provides essential information about the vehicle's make and model.
When checking the chassis code of your car in Australia, it is important to note that the chassis number or VIN is always fewer than 17 characters. If your vehicle chassis number includes the letters I, O, or Q, these will need to be changed to the number 1 or 0. For example, if the last three characters of your chassis number are letters, they will be changed to the number 0. This is done to prevent confusion with visually similar numerals.
You can locate your vehicle's chassis number or VIN by checking the frame of your car. It is usually stamped onto the vehicle's frame, and you can use this number to verify the vehicle's authenticity and specifications. This is especially important when dealing with private sellers, as it can help uncover stolen vehicles or those with tampered identification.
By using reputable VIN check services and government-approved platforms, you can input your chassis number or VIN to receive a detailed report. This report may include information such as accident history, ownership records, and encumbrances. While some basic VIN checks are offered for free, paid services can provide more comprehensive results. Remember to have your vehicle details, such as make, model, and year of manufacture, ready for verification.
Performing a chassis number or VIN check is not legally required when selling a car in Australia. However, providing a VIN check report can significantly increase transparency and build trust with potential buyers. It ensures that your vehicle is fraud-free and compliant with Australian road safety regulations, protecting you from potential legal issues.
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Check the registration
Checking the registration of your car in Australia is a straightforward process and can be done in a few different ways. It is important to check the registration details before buying a used vehicle, as this can help ensure that you won't incur fines or demerit points for driving an unregistered vehicle.
One way to check your car's registration is through the Transport Department of the state you are in. You can use the registration plates, also known as license plates, or the VIN number if your car was made after 1989. This can often be done online, providing quick and easy access to your vehicle's registration information.
Repco Australia also offers a Rego Search function, available online and in-store, which can help you find the right car parts for your vehicle. You can simply enter your vehicle's registration number and, if your car was made after 1990, you should be able to find the correct match for your parts. For older vehicles, you may need to provide additional details such as the make, model, year, and series.
Additionally, there are mobile applications available, such as myVicRoads, that allow you to check your vehicle's registration details. These apps may require you to create an account and log in to access the information.
By following these simple methods, you can easily check your car's registration in Australia and ensure that your vehicle is compliant with the relevant state authorities. Remember, it is your responsibility as a driver to ensure that your car is properly registered.
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Check the build date
The build date of a car is the month and year it rolled off the production line. It is important to know your car's build date as it provides valuable information about the manufacturing process, potential recalls, and compatibility with certain parts or accessories. It also helps price the vehicle more accurately when looking to sell.
To find the build date of your car, you can look for a separate label or plate called the "vehicle build plate". This is often found in the engine bay or on the door frame, and it contains additional information about the vehicle, including the month and year it was built. Common locations for the vehicle build plate include:
- Door frame: It can often be found in the door jamb - either on the driver's or passenger's side.
- Engine bay: Often attached to the firewall or near the strut towers or sometimes attached to the vehicle's frame under the hood.
If you are unable to find the build plate, you can use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to obtain build information. The VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. The VIN can be found by looking at the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle. If the VIN cannot be found there, open the driver's side door and look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). With the VIN, you can contact the vehicle’s manufacturer or a dealership, and they should be able to provide you with the build date.
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Check for any finance owing
When buying a used car in Australia, it is important to check if there is any finance owing on the vehicle. If there is finance owing, the lender may technically still own the car and could repossess it, even if you have purchased it from the seller. Therefore, it is always safer to conduct a car history check to confirm that there is no money owing on the vehicle.
One way to check for finance owing on a car is to conduct a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check. A PPSR search will tell you if there is a security interest registered against the vehicle, meaning that it will show if the previous owner took out a loan on the car and if there is a chance it could be repossessed. A PPSR check will not tell you how much finance is owed on the vehicle, but it is still worth doing to obtain peace of mind. The government PPSR website offers a certificate for $2, although there are other websites that offer to conduct this search for a fee of up to $35.
Another option is to request a PPSR report from the seller. Many car dealerships will provide these reports free of charge to interested buyers, and some private sellers will also provide them. If the seller does not provide a PPSR report, you can use online sources to obtain one for free.
In addition to a PPSR check, you can also conduct a REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles) check to determine if the vehicle is encumbered. This will reveal if there is any finance owing on the vehicle, and it is also recommended to buy a history report to check if the car has been written off, stolen, or flood-damaged. You can also conduct a free rego check to receive information about the car's registration status, expiry date, make, model, and CTP insurer details.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find your car model by checking your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN serves as a unique fingerprint for your car, and no two vehicles in operation have the same VIN.
Your VIN can be found on your car's compliance plate. As of July 1, 2021, the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) was introduced, making it redundant to fit road vehicles with physical compliance plates. You can now find your VIN on the RAV, a public online database of vehicles approved for the Australian market.
The VIN is composed of 17 alphanumeric characters that act as a unique identifier for your vehicle. It displays your car's unique features, specifications, and manufacturer.
You can search for car parts using your VIN or registration number (rego) on websites such as Repco Australia.
If your vehicle is older than 1990, you may still be able to look up parts by rego, but you may need to provide additional details such as the make, model, year, and series to ensure accurate part recommendations.
