Checking if money is owed

Before you buy from a private seller or at a car market or car fair, check out this section.

When a finance company lends money to someone to buy a vehicle or a vehicle is sold on hire purchase, the company can register its security interest in the vehicle on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).

A registered interest tells you that money is still owing on the vehicle either by the seller or another previous owner. The only way to check if a vehicle has money owing on it is to search the PPSR online. Just because the seller can show you the vehicle registration or “ownership” papers, it doesn’t prove that any money owing on the vehicle has been paid off.

How do I check the PPSR ?

There are two ways to check the register:

• You can check the register yourself by searching the PPSR website
• or by sending a text message to the PPSR (This service will cost you $1)
• You can use a vehicle information service that provides such checks for a fee.

Some of the businesses providing these services will also check:

• the Police register of stolen vehicles
• details of previous owners
• details of any modifications
• evidence of major accidents.

Check your telephone book and Yellow Pages for businesses offering vehicle information services. Look under “Car”, “Automobile”, “Vehicle Information” or “Vehicle Inspection” services.

Searching the PPSR website

You must first register as a user at the PPSR website before you can search - it only takes a few minutes. There is no charge to register as a user, but each search will cost you $3. You must pay for any searches by credit card.

If you already have a registered user number from one of the Ministry of Economic Development websites - eg, Companies Office or IPONZ - you can use the same number to search the PPSR.

Sending a text message

You can use your mobile phone to access the PPSR by sending a text message to FIND (3463) with the motor vehicle registration number and/or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or vehicle chassis number (if the vehicle does not have VIN). This service will cost you $1. You will get a Yes or No response and also an SMS ID you can enter to get a full printable report.

Remember to keep a copy of your search results for future reference.

Information on how to text message the PPSR is available in the PPSR pamphlet "Buying a Car? Don’t buy someone else’s debt". The pamphlet is available online or by calling 0508 PPSR INFO (0508 777 746).

What do I need to provide?

To get a check done you will need the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration number. The registration number is the vehicle’s licence plate.