Motor Vehicle Searches 🚗

How to understand Motor Vehicle Searches

What is a Motor Vehicle Search ?

When purchasing a Motor Vehicle, it is important to check if there are any security interests registered against it. This can help you avoid the risk of the property being repossessed. By purchasing a VINNER PPSR Report you are checking the important things you need to know to help avoid the risks involved in buying a used car. This is especially important if you buy from a private seller and not a licensed car dealer.

What Motor Vehicle are included in a search ?

A VINNER PPSR motor vehicle search covers many types of motor vehicle, including:

  • motorbikes
  • caravans, campervans and camper trailers
  • trailers, horse floats, and boat trailers
  • trucks, tractors, forklifts, buses, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

The definition of a motor vehicle is specific, which means that some motorized equipment, such as a bobcat, may not be considered a motor vehicle. However, an excavator, harvester, or backhoe might be. If you’re unsure, you should research the equipment’s maximum speed and power and check if it can be towed at more than 10 km/h.

What are Motor Vehicles

A motor vehicle is usually a car, truck, motorbike, tractor, caravan or trailer. It must have a vehicle identification number (VIN), chassis number or manufacturer’s number. It is self-propelled property that is:

  • built to travel wholly on land,
  • capable of at least 10km/h, AND
  • with one or more motors with total power greater than 200W.

It can also be:

  • machinery or equipment with wheels built to be towed at more than 10km/h (e.g. a trailer).
  • If the property runs on rails, tram lines or other fixed path it is not defined as a motor vehicle.

Before 1 July 2014

The law changed on 1 July 2014 to narrow the definition of a motor vehicle. Under the old definition, a motor vehicle had to:

  • be capable of at least 10km/h, OR
  • have one or more motors that have a total power greater than 200W.
  • Under the new definition, a motor vehicle must have both of these characteristics.

What isn't included in a Motor Vehicle search ?

Information not available in a VINNER Motor Vehicle search includes:

  • The amount of finance owing on the vehicle
  • The vehicle owner or history of ownership
  • Odometer reading
  • Outstanding fines