REVs Check Australia – Check finance owing, written-off and stolen status
Across Australia, many buyers still say “do a REVs Check” before paying a deposit. In plain terms, a REVs Check is about confirming three high-impact risks on a used car: whether there is finance owing, whether the vehicle has been recorded as written off, and whether it has been recorded as stolen. This page explains what a modern REVs Check covers, what it does not cover, and the safest way to run one before you buy.
About this page:
This REVs Check overview is maintained by AUCN Car Report using patterns seen across large numbers of Australian vehicle history searches, with results based on official national registers.
Enter a rego or VIN and state. You can review a summary before deciding whether to purchase the full report.
What a modern REVs Check includes
There is no longer a separate, live REVs database, but the phrase lives on. Today, a REVs Check refers to a national search focused on the key risks that most commonly cause expensive disputes after purchase:
Finance owing (encumbrance)
Whether a secured party has registered an interest over the vehicle’s VIN. If finance is present, the car may be repossessed even after you pay the seller.
Written-off status
Whether the vehicle appears on an official written-off vehicle register, and what the written-off classification means for future registration and resale.
Stolen status
Whether the vehicle has been recorded as stolen in relevant datasets used for national checking.
Core identifiers
VIN, make, model, body type and year, so you can confirm you are checking the right car (and not a look-alike listing).
AUCN REVs Check report
Why many buyers use a report instead of a raw certificate
A raw legal certificate answers important questions but can be hard to interpret quickly during an inspection or negotiation. An AUCN Car Report packages the same underlying register results into a format that is easier to understand:
- Readable summaries of finance, written-off and stolen outcomes in plain language.
- Indicative valuation ranges for the specific model and year, so you can judge whether the asking price makes sense.
- Risk context drawn from large numbers of searches, highlighting patterns that often require extra due diligence.
The goal is to help a typical buyer decide whether to proceed, negotiate or walk away – not just download a PDF.
REVs, national registers and a full AUCN report
| Aspect | Old REVs registers | Modern national register search | AUCN REVs Check report |
| Scope | State / territory encumbered vehicles. | National register search of security interests and key risk records. | National register results packaged for used car buyers. |
| Still active? | No – replaced by the national system. | Yes – official and current. | Yes – built on current results. |
| Readability | Legacy systems only. | Legal / registry language. | Plain-language explanations and risk tags. |
| Price guidance | Not provided. | Not provided. | Indicative valuation context from AUCN. |
Footnote line under table: In everyday language, buyers still say “REVs Check”. What matters is that your check is based on current national register data and presented in a way you can act on.
PPSR Check FAQs
· Is there still an official REVs register in Australia?
The original state-based REVs registers have been replaced by a national system. Australians still use the phrase “REVs Check”, but today it refers to running the relevant national checks for finance owing and key risk records on a vehicle before purchase.
· Is a REVs Check the same as a finance / risk search on the national register?
In practical buying language, yes. When most people say “REVs Check”, they mean confirming whether there is finance owing and whether the vehicle is flagged as written off or stolen through the current national register-backed process.
· Can I do a REVs Check with just a rego number?
You can often start with a rego and state, but the decisive check is performed against the VIN. AUCN allows you to enter rego details first, then resolves the correct VIN to run the REVs Check properly.
· Does a REVs Check show all accidents?
No. A REVs Check can reveal certain written-off records and theft status, but it does not list every accident, repair, or insurance claim. You should still inspect the car, review service records, and consider a mechanical inspection.
· Can I rely on a raw certificate alone?
A clean result is a strong sign for the specific risks it covers, but it is intentionally narrow. Many buyers prefer a report format that clearly explains outcomes and adds pricing context, so decisions can be made quickly and confidently.
Related guides and resources
· REGO & Legal
How to Transfer Rego When Buying a Used Car in Australia (NSW, VIC, QLD Guide)
Read more
· History & Risk
How to Spot Odometer Rollbacks and Odometer Inconsistencies in Australia
Read more
· History & Risk
Does a REVS or PPSR Check Show Accidents? The Truth Every Australian Buyer Should Know
Read more
· History & Risk
Written-Off Vehicles Explained: WOVR Codes, Categories & What Australian Buyers Must Know
Read more
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