Thinking about selling your car but just realised it’s unregistered? You’re not alone. Many car owners in Melbourne ask whether it’s legal—or even possible—to sell a car without rego. The short answer? Yes, you can legally sell a car without registration in Victoria, but there are a few things you need to know before you hand over the keys.
Let’s break it down in simple terms so you know exactly what your options are.
So… Can You Sell a Car Without Rego in Melbourne?
Yes, you absolutely can. In Victoria, there’s no law that says a vehicle must be registered in order for it to be sold. However, because it’s unregistered, you can’t legally drive it on public roads. That means the buyer can’t just jump in and drive it home—unless they organise a permit or transport.
What this really means for you is: you’re selling a car, not the ability to drive it immediately.
What Do You Need to Provide When Selling an Unregistered Car?
Even without registration, you still need to do things properly. Here’s what to organise:
- Proof of ownership: Make sure you have documentation (like a receipt or old rego papers) that shows you legally own the vehicle.
- Receipt of sale: Write up a simple bill of sale with the buyer’s name, your name, the vehicle details (make, model, VIN), sale price, and date.
- Remove number plates: Since the car isn’t registered, you must remove the plates and return them to VicRoads or keep them if you’re transferring them to another vehicle.
- Cancel the registration (if it lapsed recently): If rego just expired and you haven’t cancelled it formally, you can apply for a partial refund (for the unused portion).
Common Reasons People Sell Cars Without Rego
We’ve had lots of customers sell us unregistered vehicles, and the reasons vary. Some of the most common include:
- Too expensive to renew: Rego and insurance can add up, especially for older cars.
- The car doesn’t run anymore: It’s sitting in the garage or driveway, taking up space.
- Inherited a car that’s not been used
- The car failed a roadworthy test and it’s not worth fixing.
Whatever the reason, there’s always a market for unregistered cars—especially through car removal companies like ours who deal with them every day.
How Do Buyers Transport an Unregistered Car?
Once sold, the buyer can’t just drive the car off unless it’s registered. But they can:
- Tow it using a trailer or flatbed truck
- Use a towing service (like ours!) to move it to their location
- Apply for an unregistered vehicle permit from VicRoads, which allows short-term, one-off travel (e.g. from seller’s house to buyer’s address or to a mechanic for roadworthy inspection)
As the seller, you don’t have to handle this part—it’s up to the buyer. But it’s helpful to let them know these are their options.
Selling to a Car Removal Company: The Easiest Option
If your car has no rego and you want a quick, hassle-free sale, selling to a licensed car removal service is often your best bet.
Here’s why:
- We buy unregistered vehicles all the time—no need for roadworthy or paperwork headaches.
- We offer instant cash payments.
- Free towing is included, so you don’t need to stress about how to get the car off your property.
- No pressure, no negotiations—just a fair deal based on your car’s condition.
We’ve had customers all over Melbourne—from Dandenong to Broadmeadows—call us with cars that haven’t moved in years. Whether it’s a rusty sedan in the backyard or a ute that failed its last roadworthy, we’ll take it off your hands.
A Quick Note on Roadworthy Certificates
In Victoria, if you’re selling a registered car privately, you’re usually required to provide a Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC). But when selling an unregistered car, there’s no obligation to provide an RWC. This is one of the reasons why some people choose to sell unregistered—less paperwork and no inspection fees.
Can the Buyer Register the Car Later?
Absolutely. Once the buyer fixes anything that needs attention (if applicable), they can take the vehicle for a roadworthy test and register it under their name. But again, this is all on their end—you don’t need to worry about it once the car is sold.
Bottom Line
Yes, it’s 100% legal to sell a car without rego in Melbourne. You just need to be clear and honest with the buyer, remove the number plates, and provide proof of ownership.
If you’re sitting on an unregistered vehicle and just want it gone—no roadworthy, no renewal fees, no back and forth—we’ll buy it as-is. We pay cash, handle the paperwork, and offer free car removal across Melbourne.
If you’ve got a car without rego, you’ve still got value sitting in your driveway. Give us a call—we’ll help you turn it into cash.
If you are in Ashwood, and looking for a car removal service, this is the best way to visit us.
100 Church St, Brighton VIC 3186
www.brightoncarremovals.com.au