Quick Answer: Interstate Car Buying Essentials
| Step | What to Do | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PPSR Check | Verify no finance owing, not stolen/write-off | ~$2 |
| 2. Independent Inspection | RACQ (Brisbane), NRMA (Sydney), RACV (Melbourne) | $200-$350 |
| 3. Transport to CQ | Open carrier Brisbane-CQ | $800-$1,500 |
| 4. Deposit | Pay 10% via PayPal/credit card for protection | Variable |
| 5. Registration Transfer | Stamp duty + transfer fees at TMR | Variable |
Typical savings: $2,000-$5,000 on SUVs, $3,000-$8,000 on utes, $5,000-$15,000+ on luxury vehicles.
Living in Central Queensland means limited local options for used cars. The good news? Some of the best deals in Australia are just a state away. The challenge? Buying sight-unseen comes with risks.
CQ quick take
For Central Queensland (CQ) buyers, interstate buying is usually worth it when the savings clearly cover inspection + transport + your risk buffer. The biggest mistake we see is skipping independent inspections because "it looks clean on video".
- Run a PPSR check before you pay a deposit.
- If you'd rather not coordinate inspections, transport and paperwork yourself, a Central Queensland car broker can manage the whole process.
Why Buy Interstate?
More Choice
Brisbane alone has more used car stock than all of CQ combined. Sydney and Melbourne? Even more. When you're looking for a specific model, colour, or specification, expanding your search dramatically improves your options.
Better Prices
Capital city competition often means lower prices. We regularly see:
- $2,000-$5,000 savings on popular SUVs
- $3,000-$8,000 savings on dual-cab utes
- $5,000-$15,000+ savings on luxury vehicles
Access to Dealer Auctions
Many interstate dealers and brokers have access to wholesale auctions not available to the public. This is where trade-ins and fleet vehicles go—often at significant discounts.
The Risks of Interstate Buying
Buying Sight-Unseen
Photos and videos can hide a lot:
- Panel damage and poor repairs
- Interior wear and tear
- Mechanical issues
- Odometer tampering
- Outstanding finance
Dealing with Unknowns
- Is the seller legitimate?
- Will they honour any verbal promises?
- What's your recourse if something's wrong?
Logistics
- How do you get the car home?
- What about registration transfer?
- What if something goes wrong in transit?
How to Buy Interstate Safely (DIY Approach)
If you're buying privately or from an interstate dealer yourself, here's the process:
Step 1: Thorough Online Research
Before committing to anything:
- Request detailed photos (specific areas, not just glamour shots)
- Ask for service history documentation
- Request a video walk-around and cold start
- Check the seller's reviews and history
- Verify the VIN matches all documentation
Step 2: Independent Inspection
Never skip this step. Pay for a professional pre-purchase inspection from a company like:
- RACQ (for Brisbane area)
- NRMA (for Sydney area)
- RACV (for Melbourne area)
Cost: $200-$350. Money well spent.
Step 3: PPSR Check
Run a Personal Property Securities Register check to verify:
- No money owing on the vehicle
- Not reported stolen
- Not a write-off
- Registration matches the VIN
Cost: About $2 per search at ppsr.gov.au
Step 4: Negotiate and Secure
Once the inspection passes:
- Negotiate price based on any issues found
- Get everything in writing
- Pay a deposit to secure (use PayPal or credit card for protection)
- Never pay the full amount until you have the keys
Step 5: Arrange Transport
Options for getting your car to CQ:
Drive it yourself:
- Cheapest option if you can fly down
- Allows you to assess the car on the drive
- Risk: You're stuck if there's a problem
Professional transport:
- Open carrier: $800-$1,500 (Brisbane to CQ)
- Enclosed carrier: $1,500-$2,500 (for valuable vehicles)
- Door-to-door service available
Dealer delivery:
- Some dealers include delivery
- Often rolled into the price (so you're paying regardless)
Step 6: Registration Transfer
Once the car arrives:
- Complete transfer of registration forms
- Pay stamp duty and transfer fees
- Update your insurance
The Easier Way: Use a Broker
All of the above is exactly what we do at CQ Car Brokers—but we have advantages you don't:
Our Network
- Relationships with interstate dealers and wholesalers
- Access to dealer-only auctions
- Connections with trusted transport companies
- Inspectors we've worked with for years
Our Experience
- We know what to look for and what to avoid
- We've done hundreds of interstate purchases
- We handle the paperwork correctly the first time
- We know fair prices in every market
Our Process
- You tell us what you want
- We search Australia-wide
- We inspect and negotiate
- We arrange transport
- You collect from your driveway in CQ
Our Guarantee
We stake our reputation on every vehicle we recommend. If something's wrong that we should have caught, we make it right.
Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Broker
Let's compare buying a $45,000 ute from Brisbane:
| DIY | Using CQ Car Brokers | |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Brisbane | $200 | $0 |
| Accommodation | $150 | $0 |
| Time off work | $300+ | $0 |
| Inspection | $300 | Included |
| PPSR check | $2 | Included |
| Transport | $1,000 | Included |
| Stress and risk | High | Minimal |
| Our fee | - | Flat fee* |
*Our fee is agreed upfront and often less than the total DIY costs—plus you save time and reduce risk.
Ready to Explore Interstate Options?
Whether you want to tackle it yourself (with this guide) or let us handle everything, the first step is knowing what you want.
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll give you an honest assessment of what's available—locally and interstate—and the best way to get it.
Next steps (free help)
- Tell us what you're looking for
- We can buy the car for you
- Need finance first?
- Selling your current car?
- Rockhampton car broker
- Mackay car broker
- Gladstone car broker
- PPSR check guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Interstate Cars
How much does it cost to transport a car from Brisbane to Central Queensland?
Professional car transport from Brisbane to Central Queensland typically costs $800-$1,500 for an open carrier, or $1,500-$2,500 for enclosed transport (recommended for luxury or classic vehicles). Door-to-door service is available to most CQ locations. Even with transport costs, the savings on the car itself often make interstate buying worthwhile—especially for popular 4WDs and utes.
Is it safe to buy a car sight-unseen from interstate?
Yes, with proper due diligence. The key steps are: (1) Run a PPSR check for $2 at ppsr.gov.au; (2) Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection through RACQ (Brisbane), NRMA (Sydney), or RACV (Melbourne) for $200-$350; (3) Request detailed photos and video walk-arounds; (4) Verify seller credentials and reviews. Never pay the full amount before receiving the vehicle—use PayPal or credit card for deposit protection.
What happens if I find problems with an interstate car after delivery?
Your consumer rights depend on who you bought from. Buying from a licensed dealer provides statutory warranty protection regardless of which state they're in. Private sales have limited protection, which is why a pre-purchase inspection is essential. If we source a car for you, we stake our reputation on every vehicle—if something's wrong that we should have caught, we make it right.
How do I transfer registration from interstate to Queensland?
After receiving your interstate car: (1) Complete the seller's transfer paperwork; (2) Allow the interstate registration to lapse or arrange cancellation; (3) Obtain a Queensland Safety Certificate; (4) Visit TMR with all documentation; (5) Pay stamp duty (based on vehicle value or purchase price, whichever is higher); (6) Receive your Queensland registration. Allow 1-2 weeks for this process.
Is it worth the hassle to buy interstate for a car under $30,000?
It can be, especially for popular models with significant price variations between markets. The key is calculating your total landed cost: purchase price + inspection + transport + your time. For cars under $30,000, the savings might be $1,500-$3,000 versus local options—still worthwhile for the right vehicle. Using a broker often makes sense at this price point since our fee is typically less than your DIY costs while eliminating the hassle.
