While it’d probably be possible to cycle the entire length of the Britain in only a few days on a clapped out Tri-cycle, Australia has considerably more ground to cover. For backpackers, the option of buying a car has never been more affordable or popular. That’s why we at British Balls have decided to give you a step-by-step guide on how to go about it, hopefully alleviating some of the ball ache for you.
WHERE TO BUY
Companies
Whether you’ve raised the necessary funds by busting your balls picking capsicums, pushing your boredom threshold to the limit by temping in an office, or mugging an unsuspecting pensioner in a dimly lit park, knowing where to look is always the first hurdle.
Several companies actually specialize in selling vehicles to backpackers. One advantage of buying from such a company is in knowing there’s a lot less chance of ending up with a complete lemon. All their cars will have Rego and will have been checked for any illegal history, which is also a definite bonus.
Try Travellers Mate (02) 9556 2113 or Travellers Autobarn (Sydney) (02) 9360 1500 or Melbourne (03) 9329 2644 Brisbane (07) 3235 2638 Cairns (07) 4041 3722 Perth (08) 9228 9500 or Darwin (08) 8941 7700.
Private Sales
If you’d rather go for the private sale option, a good weekly publication packed with cars and vans is the Trading Post. It breaks down into price categories as well, which is handy if you have a fairly set idea of what you’re prepared to spend. You can pick this up from any newsagents and they also have a comprehensive website at www.tradingpost.com.au
While buying privately is likely to be the best way to pick up a cheap deal, it’s also a riskier option. The seller may well tell you the motor in question runs like a dream, but the reality could be quite different. The problem is, you may only learn this once you’ve handed over your sweaty wad of cash, only to find a wheel rolls off during the drive home. Before you buy the car it’s important to make sure you see:
-A pink slip, which is no more than 28 days old (unless the car was registered in the last 28 days)
-Proof that the person selling the car is the owner
E.g. a sales receipt or driver’s license to help identify the seller
-The registration number
-The engine number
-The VIN (vehicle identification number) or chassis number
It’s also a good idea to do a Rev check. This basically ensures you’re not buying the car from an arch criminal who has run up several grand’s worth of parking tickets and recently mown down a five-year-old in a drunken haze. The Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS) is a service provided that will look into the car’s history prior to purchase. You can conduct your own REVS inquiry online at www.revs.nsw.gov.au or call 9633 6333 (or 1800 424 988 outside Sydney). The REVS call centre is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends and some public holidays.
Inspections
Another way of avoiding buying a lemon is to hire a grease monkey to cast his beady eye over it before you take the plunge. The NRMA offer full vehicle inspections prior to purchase. It’s a bit of a stinger at around $239 per inspection for most cars (members get $40 discount) but it might save you a few grand as well as a future riddled with high blood pressure problems in the long run. If you’re interested, call the NRMA on 13 11 22 to fix up an inspection. Providing you don’t live in Outer Mongolia, the mechanic will normally arrange to come to you.
Car Markets
For those based in Sydney, the infamous Kings Cross Car Market is another hotspot to pick up a potential bargain. The beauty of this place is you’re likely to find a number of backpackers with only a short time left before their flight leaves the country, meaning they’re gagging to offload their shonky set of wheels in exchange for just enough cash to facilitate a few more piss-ups. The Kings Cross Car market claims to be the only one in the world that allows only genuine travellers to sell their motors. Locals and Dorsal-Fin-sporting car dealers are strictly forbidden.
Every vehicle for sale at this market has to have an Inspection Report/Roadworthy Certificate/MOT. This is supposed to tell you how safe it is to drive and will list any repairs required. It’s a good idea to ask to see this Inspection Report before buying the car. But be aware that these are safety, not mechanical inspections. You should probably splash out on one of the afore-mentioned NRMA mechanical inspections, and get cost estimates on any repairs needed before letting some bullshit-spouting traveller talk you into buying ‘The Beast,’ or whatever contrived nickname has been applied to their rusting VW Camper Van. It may also be worth doing a REV check on any car you are seriously considering buying.
Car Yards
A yard purchase is certainly a convenient way to pick up a second hand car if you don’t fancy the hassle of traveling all over the place to meet with potential sellers.
The only problem is you will pay around 15-20 per cent over the odds for this convenience. You may Also get talked into spending way more than you had planned by some Swiss-Tony-type car salesman giving it the whole: “You know, taking care of a car, Paul, is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You've got to caress the bodywork. Breathe softly and gently. And give every inch of it your loving attention. And make sure you've got a nice wet sponge.”
Check Autotrader and the Internet for details of car yards in your local area. But make sure the dealer is approved by the Motor Traders Association (MTA) to avoid some fat bastard wearing Foster Grant wraparounds selling you a dud.
Renting
Perhaps you’re either too skint or too short on time to actually commit to buying a car and would prefer the option of a long-term rental for that trip up the coast? As luck would have it, a number of companies have been savvy enough to realise there is a market for backpackers faced with such a dilemma.
Try Travellers Mate who rent vans for as little as $29 a day (with a few of you chipping in that’s a snip) (02) 9556 2113 or Travellers Autobarn (Sydney) (02) 9360 1500 Melbourne (03) 9329 2644 Brisbane (07) 3235 2638 Cairns (07) 4041 3722 Perth (08) 9228 9500 or Darwin (08) 8941 7700.
Wicked Campers also specialize in such dealings. Free call 1800 246869. They operate in both Australia and New Zealand.
Price Ranges
It is possible to pick up a shit-banger for next to nothing in Australia. There are plenty of cars offered on hostel notice boards or at the Kings Cross Car Market from anything from $500-$1000. Having said this, we recommend spending a bit more to avoid the gear stick coming off in your hand as you’re cruising 100mph down the freeway.
A good benchmark would be to try and avoid going below $3000 for something slightly more reliable. Bear in mind foreign imports, particularly from Europe, will not only cost considerably more to buy, but will also be far more difficult to obtain spare parts for, should things go pear-shaped. Japanese or Australian made cars are arguably the safest bet in terms of spare parts and maintenance.
PAPERWORK
Having splashed out on your new pussy wagon, you will need to go through the rigmarole of ensuring all the paperwork is in order. It would be fair to say this is a complete and utter pain in the arse. If it’s the first time you’ve done this, it can be similar to a Stephen Hawking Quantum Cosmology lecture by to get your head around.
To summarise, the important things you’ll need to get sorted are: changing the ownership details, getting compulsory (at least in NSW) third party insurance or CTP (known as a green slip) and ensuring the Rego (known as pink slip) is valid. Depending on whether you’re planning to stay at one address for a while, you may also need a parking permit.
CHANGING OWNERSHIP
Upon buying a new motor you are required to change the ownership details (name registration) within 14 days. If you wait any longer, you’ll get clobbered with a late fee-a complete bitch at around $85. Fill out an Application for Transfer form, which the current owner should have on them when they come to sell their car. Make sure they fill out their details and sign the back. If they don’t have the forms, download an Application for Transfer from the RTA website www.rta.nsw.gov.au (go to form downloads section).
Take your papers to the RTA office (There is one in the Sydney CBD located at 19 York St next to Wynard train station) as well as proof of identity and a receipt for the purchase of the vehicle or the certificate of registration completed and signed on the back by the previous registered owner.
GREEN SLIP (Compulsory insurance)
It pays to shop around when sorting out insurance as there are several companies competing for business. You might be able to save money by visiting the MAA’s web site, www.maa.nsw.gov.au and using the Green Slip calculator.
Based on the information you provide, the calculator will tell you which insurer will sell you a Green Slip for the cheapest price. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can call the MAA’s Green Slip help line on 1300 137 600. Alternatively, go to the NRMA office armed with all relevant vehicle paperwork (there is an office located at 74-76 King Street City, 2000-opening hours Mon-Fri hours: 9am - 5pm Sat hours: closed) and ask them to sort out a Green Slip for you.
Your Green Slip insurance covers the medical costs of anyone injured in a car accident caused by you or anyone driving your car. It does not cover the medical costs of the driver responsible for the accident.
PINK SLIP (Registration) in NSW
Every car is required to have a certificate of Registration-a pink slip-which should be displayed via a sticker on the windscreen. An unregistered car is a bad idea to say the least. You can incur some hefty fines, and it will leave your car uninsured. If you have an accident in your unregistered car, you could potentially bankrupt yourself because you will be liable for any damage caused to people or property.
To establish registration for a second-hand car, or if your car registration has been expired for more than three months, you will need to go to a motor registry and provide:
-Proof of your identity
-Proof of purchase (eg a receipt for purchase of the vehicle or certificate of registration signed by the previous registered operator/s of the vehicle, or the previous certificate of registration in the same name if re-establishing the vehicle registration).
-Proof of your residential address (bank statement, lease agreement or bill of some kind should do it)
-A valid Compulsory Third Party insurance policy – also known as a green slip
-Evidence of repair if the vehicle has been written-off (eg receipts from repairers).
-A completed Application for Registration form.
Unfortunately the bastards at the RTA make you pay a transfer fee and stamp duty. Stamp duty is calculated at 3% of the market value up to $45,000.
TRANSFERRING REGISTRATION (Interstate)
Each State in Australia is like a different Country when it comes to the rules and regulations about buying or selling a car. Some States allow you to register and transfer by mail. Some States require an Inspection Report just to transfer the vehicle to your name and you may have to go to that State.
Some States require an Inspection Report to re-register the vehicle. If you are re-selling at the Kings Cross Car Market, it does not matter in which State your vehicle is registered, as the buyers are travelling all over Australia. To establish registration for a second-hand vehicle purchased interstate, you have to go to a motor registry and provide the same documents as per NSW registration.
FUEL COSTS
For an up-to-date check on fuel prices throughout Australia go to www.motormouth.com.au
DRIVERS LICENSE
Those holding a valid UK drivers license are entitled to drive in Australia. Permanent residents of Australia and kiwis will need to transfer over to an Australian license within three months of entering the country. Other countries where licenses are acceptable in Australia include: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark Finland, France, Germany, Greece Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain Sweden, Switzerland, and USA.
Copyright British Balls 2005
British Balls is a title of What Media Group