If you have an old bomb sitting in your driveway or a paddock, you might be wondering if you can even get rid of it. Maybe the registration (rego) ran out months ago, or perhaps you lost the plates.
The short answer is yes, absolutely! You can legally sell an unregistered vehicle in Western Australia. However, there are a few simple rules you need to follow to make sure you stay out of trouble with the Department of Transport (DoT).
Let’s break down exactly what you need to do to turn that unregistered car into quick cash.
Selling to a Licensed Car Wrecker (The Easiest Way)
If your car is damaged, broken down, or just not worth fixing, selling it to a local Perth wrecking yard is the simplest option. Wreckers buy cars in any condition—unregistered, smashed, or completely dead.
When you sell to us, you don’t need to worry about getting a roadworthy certificate or fixing up the bodywork. We just want the metal and the spare parts. The best part? Most good wreckers will even come to your house with a tow truck and pick it up for free.
What Paperwork Do You Need?
Even if the car doesn’t have active rego, you still need to prove that you actually own the vehicle. You can’t just sell a car you found on the side of the road!
To make the sale legal and smooth, you should have:
- Your Photo ID: A current WA driver’s licence or passport so we know who you are.
- Proof of Ownership: This could be the old registration papers (even if they are expired), the original purchase receipt, or a vehicle history report.
- A Bill of Sale: A simple written note signed by both you and the buyer showing the date, the price, the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and engine number.
Don’t Forget to Hand in Your Number Plates!
This is a massive trap that catches a lot of folks out. If your car still has its number plates attached, do not let the tow truck drive away with them unless you have fully trusted the wrecker to return them for you. Better yet, take them off yourself.
In Western Australia, you are legally required to return your number plates to a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre or a DoT agent within 14 days of the rego expiring. If you hand them in, you will get a receipt. This receipt proves you are no longer responsible for the car. It protects you just in case someone tries to use those plates for toll evasion or hoon driving.
Can You Get a Refund on Remaining Rego?
If you are wrecking a car that still has a few weeks or months of rego left on it, you don’t have to lose that money!
When you take the plates off and hand them into the Department of Transport, you can apply for a rego refund. The DoT will calculate how much time was left on the registration and send you a cheque or a direct deposit for the remaining balance (minus a small administration fee). It’s an easy way to put a bit of extra cash back in your wallet.
Selling Unregistered Cars Globally vs. Privately
If you try to sell an unregistered car privately on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, it can be a bit of a headache. Private buyers usually want to test drive the car. But remember: it is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle on WA roads without a special Temporary Movement Permit. If you get caught, the fines are nasty.
When you sell straight to a salvage yard, the car goes right onto the back of a licensed tow truck. It never touches the road on its own wheels, keeping you completely safe from fines.
Ready to Clear Your Driveway?
Selling an unregistered car in Perth doesn’t have to be stressful. By keeping your paperwork handy, removing your number plates, and choosing a licensed auto wrecker, you can get that old vehicle cleared out in less than a day.
