Safety Tips

Safety Tips

Safety Tips

Buying and Selling Safely on OpenHoods

At OpenHoods, we're committed to creating a trustworthy marketplace. While our demerit point disclosure requirement helps promote transparency, it's still important to follow sensible safety practices when buying or selling a car privately.

For Buyers

Before you meet:

  • Research the vehicle's market value so you can spot deals that seem too good to be true.
  • Ask the seller for the vehicle's registration number and run a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check at www.ppsr.gov.au to check for finance owing, stolen status, or write-off history.
  • Review the seller's demerit point disclosure on their listing — it's one indicator of how the vehicle may have been driven.

When you inspect the vehicle:

  • Always meet in a safe, public location during daylight hours.
  • Bring someone with you if possible.
  • Verify the seller's identity matches the vehicle's registration papers.
  • Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the vehicle matches the registration documents.
  • Arrange an independent mechanical inspection before committing to purchase. Most mobile mechanics can inspect on-site for around $150–$300.

When you pay:

  • Never pay the full amount before seeing the vehicle in person.
  • Avoid paying via wire transfer, Western Union, MoneyGram, or cryptocurrency — these payments are nearly impossible to recover.
  • Bank transfer or bank cheque are the safest options for large amounts.
  • Get a signed receipt that includes both parties' names, the sale price, vehicle details, and the date.
  • Complete the official transfer of registration through your state or territory's transport authority.

For Sellers

Protecting yourself:

  • Meet potential buyers in a safe, public location during daylight hours.
  • Do not share personal details beyond what's needed for the sale.
  • Be cautious of buyers who offer to pay more than the asking price — this is a common scam tactic.
  • Do not release the vehicle until payment has fully cleared in your bank account.
  • Be wary of fake bank transfer screenshots — verify funds in your own banking app before handing over keys.

Completing the sale:

  • Provide the buyer with a signed receipt.
  • Notify your state or territory's transport authority of the sale to transfer registration.
  • Cancel your insurance on the vehicle after the sale is complete.

Recognising Scams

Be cautious if:

  • The buyer or seller is overseas or claims to be travelling and can't meet in person.
  • They pressure you to act quickly or create a sense of urgency.
  • Payment is requested through untraceable methods (Western Union, MoneyGram, gift cards, cryptocurrency).
  • The price seems significantly below market value for no clear reason.
  • Messages contain poor grammar and seem copied and pasted.
  • They ask for personal or financial details beyond what's needed for the transaction.

Report Suspicious Activity

 

If you encounter suspicious behaviour on OpenHoods, please contact us at info@openhoods.com.au. If you believe you've been the victim of fraud, contact your local police and report it to Scamwatch at www.scamwatch.gov.au.