What Paperwork Do I Need to Sell My Car for Cash in Victoria?
To sell a registered car privately in Victoria, you primarily need two items: a completed Vehicle Transfer Form and a valid Roadworthy Certificate (RWC). Many sellers in Melbourne are surprised to find that the RWC is the seller’s legal responsibility, and it often becomes the biggest and most expensive hurdle.
The process of selling a car seems simple until you hit the paperwork. It’s the one part of the sale that causes the most confusion and stress. What forms do you need? Who fills them out? And what about that dreaded roadworthy?
The truth is, the amount of paperwork you need changes dramatically depending on how you sell your car. Selling it privately to another person involves the most legal red tape. Selling it to a licensed car removal service, on the other hand, is far simpler.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need for both situations, so you can choose the path that works best for you.
The “Private Sale” Path: The Full Paperwork List
Selling your car on a platform like Gumtree or Carsales means you are conducting a private sale. In Victoria, the law places the responsibility for proving the car is safe squarely on you, the seller.
This process involves 3 key documents and one major inspection.
1. The Roadworthy Certificate (RWC)
A Roadworthy Certificate (RWC), also known as a safety certificate, is the most important document you must provide. It is a certificate issued by a licensed vehicle tester that confirms a car is safe for normal road use.
- Who needs it? The seller must provide a valid RWC to the buyer before the car can be sold and transferred. A Victorian RWC is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
- What does it check? The RWC is not a test of the car’s mechanical reliability. It is a safety check of 5 key areas:
- Tyres (tread depth, condition)
- Brakes (pads, discs, performance)
- Steering and suspension
- Lights and indicators
- Windscreen and windows (including wipers)
- The Problem: This is where the costs add up. If the mechanic finds your tyres are too worn or your windscreen is cracked, your car fails the inspection. You must pay for these repairs out of your own pocket and then pay for a second inspection before the RWC is issued. A simple sale can quickly cost you $500 – $1,500 in unexpected repairs.
2. The Vehicle Transfer Form
The Vehicle Transfer Form is the official VicRoads document that legally transfers the car from your name to the buyer’s.
- Function: This form is your legal proof that you are no longer the owner. This is critical for avoiding any future tolls, speeding fines, or parking tickets incurred by the new driver.
- The Process: This form has 2 parts:
- Seller’s Section (Notice of Disposal): You fill this out with your details, the buyer’s details (including their Victorian licence number), and the sale price. You must lodge this part with VicRoads yourself, either online or in person.
- Buyer’s Section (Application for Transfer): The buyer takes this part to VicRoads, pays the transfer fee and stamp duty, and becomes the new registered owner.
You must complete your part of this transfer. Failing to lodge the Notice of Disposal leaves you legally responsible for the vehicle.
3. Proof of Ownership (Registration Certificate)
While the Transfer Form is the key legal document, having your original registration certificate is good practice. It shows the buyer the car’s details (VIN, engine number) and confirms that the registration is paid up.
If you have lost this certificate, you can still sell the car, but having it makes the process smoother and builds trust with a private buyer.
Selling Without a RWC or Registration?
This is the biggest challenge in a private sale. You cannot legally transfer a registered car in Victoria without providing a valid RWC.
If your car is unregistered, the situation is different. You can sell it, but the buyer cannot legally drive it away. It must be towed. This massively shrinks your pool of potential buyers to a handful of people specifically looking for a project or parts car, who will naturally pay a rock-bottom price.
The “Easy Way”: Selling to a Car Removal Service
If the process above sounds like too much time, money, and hassle, there is a much simpler alternative. This is where a licensed motor car trader (LMCT) like Urgent Cash 4 Carz comes in.
visit: https://www.urgentcash4carz.com.au/melbourne/
When you sell your car to a licensed business, the paperwork rules change completely in your favour.
The Single Biggest Difference: No RWC Required
A licensed car removal service buys your car “as-is.” This means you are not required to provide a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC).
- Why? Because we are not regular buyers. As an LMCT, we take on all the legal responsibility. If the car is old, damaged, or unroadworthy, it’s our problem, not yours.
- Target Audience: This service is perfect for people in Melbourne who have:
- An old car that won’t pass a RWC.
- A damaged or scrap vehicle.
- An unregistered car sitting in the driveway.
- A car with mechanical issues (e.g., engine failure, transmission problems).
- Or, anyone who simply values their time and wants to avoid the 4-8 week hassle of a private sale.
The 2 Simple Things You Actually Need
Instead of a stack of forms, you only need 2 items to sell your car for cash today:
- Valid Photo Identification: This is the most important item. A current Victorian driver’s licence or passport is perfect. This is a legal requirement for us to prove you are the person with the right to sell the vehicle.
- Proof of Ownership: This is usually the car’s registration certificate. If you have lost it, don’t worry. Just having the car’s registration plates or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is often enough for us to verify ownership in our system.
That’s it. We handle all the other VicRoads paperwork on our end, including the transfer or de-registration.
Paperwork Comparison: Private Sale vs. Car Removal
This table shows the clear difference in effort required from you, the seller.
| Paperwork Task | Selling Privately (Your Job) | Selling to Urgent Cash 4 Carz (Your Job) |
| Get a Roadworthy (RWC) | Yes. (This is the big one) | No. We buy cars without one. |
| Pay for RWC Repairs | Yes. (Tyres, brakes, etc.) | No. We buy in “as-is” condition. |
| Complete Transfer Form | Yes. (Both seller and buyer sections) | Yes. (We fill out a simple form with you) |
| Lodge Form with VicRoads | Yes. (You must lodge the Notice of Disposal) | No. We handle all VicRoads paperwork. |
| Provide Photo ID | Yes. (Buyer will want to see it) | Yes. (This is our only major requirement) |
| Provide Rego Papers | Yes. (Highly recommended) | Yes. (Helpful, but not essential if lost) |
visit: https://www.urgentcash4carz.com.au/
Common Questions About Car Paperwork in Victoria
What happens to my number plates?
When you sell to a private buyer, the plates usually stay with the car. When you sell to Urgent Cash 4 Carz, we typically remove the plates and return them to VicRoads for you. This allows you to claim a refund on any remaining registration, putting more money back in your pocket.
I lost all my car’s papers. Can I still sell it?
Yes. This is a major advantage of using a car removal service. As long as you have your valid photo ID, we can use the car’s VIN and registration number to verify ownership and complete the sale.
Who pays the transfer fee?
In a private sale, the buyer is responsible for paying the VicRoads transfer fee and the vehicle’s stamp duty. As a seller, you do not pay this. When you sell to us, we handle all transfer costs—there are zero hidden fees for you.
The Easiest Way to Sell Your Car in Melbourne
The key takeaway is this: the paperwork you need depends on the buyer.
A private sale offers the potential for a slightly higher price, but it comes with the certainty of paperwork, RWC costs, and weeks of your time.
Selling to a trusted car removal service like Urgent Cash 4 Carz is about speed and simplicity. It is the fast-track option. You bypass the RWC, the repairs, the advertising, and the stressful paperwork. You get an instant cash offer, free towing from anywhere in Melbourne, and the whole deal is done in under an hour, with just your photo ID.
If your car is old, unregistered, or you just want to skip the hassle, contact us for a free quote and see how simple selling your car can be.
