Things to do before selling your car to a car removal company in Perth

Before you sell your car to a car removal company Perth, there are a few simple things you should do, remove your belongings, gather your documents, sort out your WA registration and number plates, and confirm the payment before anyone comes to pick it up.

Most of this will take an hour or less. However, there are some WA-specific steps that Perth car owners often forget, especially when it comes to obtaining number plates and the Notice of Disposal. Skip these, and you could find yourself on the hook for a car you no longer own.

Here's what to do. In order. 

Remove personal belongings

Get the car cleared before the tow-truck arrives. Car removal teams take the vehicle as it is, and whatever is left in it goes with it. 

Check:

• The glove box and centre console
• The boot and under the boot floor (spare tyre kit, jumper cables, tools)
• Under and between the seats
• Door pockets and sun visors
• Any roof cargo or storage boxes

Cars that sit for months on end tend to collect a lot. Give it a good look, not a quick look. You can easily forget a set of jumper cables, a spare phone charger, a kid’s jacket, or even cash in the glove box. 

Gather important documents

Collect everything that proves the car is yours before collection day.

You'll need:

• Registration papers with you as the registered operator. If you’ve lost the originals, you can find your vehicle details at the DoT WA online portal at Transport WA Car Removal.
• Photo ID, such as your driver’s licence.
• Finance clearance paperwork if there is an active loan on the vehicle. If money is still owing, the finance company has a registered interest in the car. It has to be sorted before collection, not on the day.
• Service records or logbook, if you have one. Not mandatory, but some car removal companies do take these for their records, especially if the vehicle is being broken for parts.

Even if you’re selling an unregistered car, you’ll still need to prove that you’re the legal owner. In some cases, a statutory declaration may be required. Make sure you check with the car removal company beforehand so you're not held up on collection day.

Check registration and number plates

In Western Australia, the number plates are the property of the registered operator, not the vehicle. This is different to how it works in some other states, and is worth knowing before your car gets impounded.

You have two choices:

Option 1: Remove the plates and place them on another vehicle. Remove the plates before the tow truck gets there. Then you can have them re-registered to your next vehicle through DoT WA.

Option 2: Return the plates and cancel the registration for a refund. If you no longer need the plates, you can return them to DoT WA and receive a refund for any remaining full months registration. Contact DoT WA or visit a licensing centre before or around the time of disposal to start this process.

Either way, submit a Notice of Disposal to DoT WA. This is a formal notification to the department that the vehicle has been sold or otherwise disposed of and removes your ongoing liability from that date. Once the car leaves your property, you are not responsible if it is moved, damaged or involved in anything with a lodged disposal notice.

For up-to-date information about how to lodge a Notice of Disposal and transfer or cancel registration, visit transport.wa.gov.au or call DoT WA on 13 11 56. 

Be honest about the car's condition

If you call for a quote, describe it accurately. Perth car removal companies buy damaged cars, scrap cars, old cars, non-running cars, flood-damaged cars and written-off vehicles. The car condition is rarely a deal breaker. But the offer you get depends on what you tell them. 

Be upfront about:

• Whether the car is driveable or completely immobile
• Structural damage, such as a bent chassis, flood damage, or fire damage
• Missing parts, such as the catalytic converter, wheels, battery, or engine components
• Whether it's been written off by an insurer
• Any major mechanical faults

If you tell them the car runs when it doesn’t or don’t mention the significant damage, the offer will change when the driver gets there. If you’re right from the start, there are no surprises and no last-minute renegotiation on your driveway. 

Decide what you want to keep

Before collection, decide if there are any parts or accessories you want to remove from the car. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

• Things Perth car owners often take away before collection:
• Aftermarket stereo, dash camera or reverse camera
• Roof racks or tow bars if they can be moved to another vehicle
• Custom alloy wheels if you can change back to the stock set
• A good spare tire, full size
• Floor mats or seat covers

One thing to remember is, don't delete any parts that were there when you got the quote. Now if you change the wheels before the driver arrives and the car was sold with alloys, the offer may be revised. But if you’re unsure what the company is factoring in, ask them before you start pulling anything off. 

Gather keys and vehicle information

Have all keys ready on collection day. This includes:

• The main ignition key
• Any spare keys
• Key cards or proximity fobs for newer vehicles
• A steering wheel lock key, if one is fitted

If you lose a key, please notify the company before collection. Most Perth car removal services can still pick up a car with no key, but they'll need to bring the right equipment, and it helps if you know in advance. 

Also have the following ready:

• Make, model, year and variant (e.g. 2008 Ford Falcon XT, not just "a Ford")
• Engine size
• VIN or chassis number, found on the compliance plate inside the driver's door jamb
• Current odometer reading
• Any mechanical issues you haven't already mentioned

Take photos before collection

Get some pictures of the car before the tow truck comes. "It’s a five-minute thing and protects you should there ever be a question about what condition the car was in, what was in it, what was agreed. 

Take photos of:

• All four sides of the car
• The interior, front and back
• Any visible damage
• The odometer reading
• The compliance plate or VIN

Keep these somewhere you can find them for at least a few weeks after the car is gone.

Confirm collection and payment details

Before the team heads out, confirm the collection address and how you'll be paid. Don't leave either until the morning of collection.

Confirm the collection details:

• Full street address, including the suburb
• Access information (locked gate, narrow driveway, car in a garage, another vehicle in the way)
• Your contact number on the day

Confirm the payment:

• The agreed amount, before collection day
• How payment will be made; cash on the spot or bank transfer are the standard options with reputable Perth car removal companies
• That payment happens at the point of handover, before you sign anything or hand over the keys

If a company says they'll pay after they've taken the car, ask why. Payment at collection is standard practice.

Quick checklist before selling your car to a car removal company in Perth

Run through this before the tow truck arrives:

• Car searched thoroughly for personal belongings
• Any accessories or parts you're keeping have been removed
• Registration papers and photo ID ready to hand over
• Decision made on number plates (keeping and transferring, or surrendering to DoT WA)
• Notice of Disposal lodged or in progress with DoT WA
• Finance status confirmed (no outstanding loan on the vehicle)
• All keys gathered, main and spare
• Photos taken of the car from all sides
• Full collection address and access details confirmed with the company
• Agreed payment amount confirmed before the day

FAQs about selling your car to a car removal company in Perth

Do I need to notify DoT WA when I sell my car to a car removal company?

Yes. If you sell or dispose of a vehicle in Western Australia, you should lodge a Notice of Disposal with DoT WA. This takes away your liability for the vehicle from the date of disposal. This can be done online at transport.wa.gov.au or at a DoT licensing centre. Check the DoT WA website or call 13 11 56 for the current process and any requirements. 

What happens to my number plates when my car is collected?

In Western Australia, the plates are the property of the registered operator, not the vehicle. If you sell to a car removal company, you can take the plates off before pick-up and put them on another vehicle or give them to DoT WA and get a refund for any unused months of registration. If you leave the plates on, ask the removal company what they do with them as part of the disposal. 

Can I get a refund on my registration when the car is collected?

If you cancel at or before the time of disposal, you may be entitled to a refund for any remaining full months of registration. To do this, you are required to formally surrender your plates and cancel the registration with DoT WA. The size of the refund depends on how many months are left. Steps can vary, so check with DoT WA for the current process. 

My car still has finance on it. Can I sell it to a car removal company?

If you have a live loan or finance agreement, the finance company will have a registered interest in your vehicle. First, get a payout figure from your lender. Some car removal companies will pay out any remaining finance straight from the proceeds and the balance is yours. This can cause legal complications so don’t transfer the car until this is sorted out. 

What documents do I need to have ready on collection day?

At the very least, bring your photo ID (driver's licence or passport) and your vehicle registration papers or a printout from the DoT WA portal. Most car removal companies will require you to sign a basic receipt or transfer form . Have all keys ready. If you have lost documents or a key, contact the company before collection day so they can advise on what they need.