Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS)
The Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS) is a Consumer Protection service that can tell you whether or not a vehicle you are buying is recorded as 'encumbered'. Encumbered means that there could be money owing on the car or that the registered owner may not own the vehicle outright.
If the seller owes money on the vehicle and has not paid it off, the bank or finance company may repossess the vehicle from you.
However, if you buy a vehicle from a licensed motor vehicle dealer, any previous encumbrance on the vehicle is wiped out, and it cannot be repossessed
How can you protect yourself?
First ask the seller if money is owed on the vehicle, but don't rely totally on their answer. Check with REVS on 1300 30 40 24.
As part of the REVS check on any finance owed, we will also be able to tell you if a vehicle is:
- recognised as a West Australian licensed motor vehicle;
- recorded as stolen; and/or
- recorded as written-off.
You can conduct your own REVS enquiry online or call 1300 30 40 24. To do a REVS enquiry you will need to have the:
- vehicle registration number;
- engine number; and
- VIN/chassis number.
The REVS call centre is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 5.00pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm on weekends.
If REVS records show that the vehicle is not yet paid off, and you still want to buy it, you'll have to make sure the debt is cleared before you buy.
There are several ways to do this, including paying out the debt directly to the finance company and only paying the balance to the seller. REVS can give you advice on what to do.
Even if REVS tells you the vehicle is not encumbered, it is wise to buy a REVS search certificate (cost $5). This will confirm your enquiry and offer legal protection against the vehicle being repossessed by a creditor.
For further information check out the REVS website.