How to sell a caravan
To sell a caravan, price it against advertised vans like it and have its papers ready.
After the sale, complete your state's transfer or disposal notice.
Published . 7 min read • Buying Guide
- Price: compare advertised vans of the same make, model, year and layout.
- Papers: registration, compliance plate details, service records and a weighbridge ticket.
- Ways to sell: privately, as a trade-in, or on consignment with a dealer.
- After the sale: each state sets its own notice and time limit.
Set the price
Look at advertised vans of the same make, model, year and layout. Note how each one differs from yours in condition, fit-out and extras.
Our guide to what your caravan is worth sets out the method, starting from what the same van costs new today.
What buyers will check
A careful buyer asks for these. Having them ready answers their questions before they ask.
- •A weighbridge ticket. It shows what the van weighs loaded. See our weighbridge ticket guide, or find a public weighbridge near you.
- •The compliance plate and VIN. The plate, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the registration papers should match. See our compliance plate guide.
- •Service records. Receipts for brake, bearing and gas work, and the owner's manuals.
- •A PPSR search. Buyers can search the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to see whether money is owing on the van. See our PPSR check guide.
Before you advertise
- •Clear any money owing. A buyer's PPSR search shows money owing on the van, so clear it before the sale.
- •Gather the papers. Registration papers, compliance plate details, service records, the weighbridge ticket and the manuals.
- •Check your state's steps. In Queensland, for example, the seller gives the buyer a safety certificate and, for a van fitted with gas, a gas certificate before the buyer takes the van. See paperwork by state.
- •Describe the van as it is. List the faults with the features, and take clear photos of both.
Three ways to sell a caravan
Sell it privately
You advertise the van, show it to buyers, take the payment and do the paperwork.
- •For: you set the asking price and deal with the buyer directly.
- •Against: it takes your time, and you handle the payment and the scam risk yourself.
Trade it in
A dealer takes your van as part of the price of the van you buy from them.
- •For: the sale and the purchase happen in one transaction.
- •Against: the dealer sets the figure for your van.
Sell on consignment
A dealer displays your van and sells it for you, and charges for the service.
- •For: the dealer handles the advertising, the viewings and the buyers.
- •Against: you pay the dealer's charge, and the van sells only when a buyer comes along.
Ask for the agreement in writing, and check the dealer's licence with your state's regulator.
On the day of the sale
- •Write a receipt. Put both names, the date, the VIN, the price and what is included, and both sign it.
- •Fill in the form with the buyer if your state asks. VicRoads says you complete the notice of disposal with the buyer. Queensland recommends the buyer signs the transfer form on the day of sale.
- •Check the number plates. In NSW, personalised plates go with the van unless you organise to keep them before the sale.
- •Hand over the papers. Service records, manuals, keys and any certificates your state asks for.
Paperwork by state
Each state sets its own steps for telling the registration office about a sale. Pick your state.
New South Wales
- •Service NSW says you must submit a notice of disposal when you sell a NSW-registered vehicle, "such as a car, motorcycle or trailer".
- •It says to submit it "immediately after you sell the vehicle", so the buyer can transfer the registration "within the required 14 days of the sale".
- •The NSW Government says that without a notice of disposal "you will continue to be responsible for it, including any fines".
- •It says personalised number plates go with the vehicle unless you organise to keep them before the sale.
Source: Service NSW and the NSW Government, read 29 Oct 2026.
Victoria
- •VicRoads says "When you sell a vehicle or trailer registered in Victoria, you need to let us know within 14 days." It says this includes trailers and caravans.
- •VicRoads says you complete a notice of disposal with the buyer.
- •Its list of steps before the sale includes a roadworthy certificate "(if required)". Check VicRoads' page for whether your van needs one.
Source: VicRoads, read 29 Oct 2026.
Queensland
- •The Queensland Government says "If a used vehicle, caravan, trailer or boat changes hands, the registration must be transferred within 14 days."
- •It recommends the seller completes Part B of the transfer form (F3520) and has the buyer sign it on the day of sale.
- •It says a safety certificate is needed when registration transfers to a new owner, for trailers "(including caravans)" with an Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) between 750kg and 4,500kg. Only approved inspection stations issue them.
- •It says the seller gives the buyer the safety certificate, and a gas inspection certificate for vehicles fitted with gas. It says "caravans and motorhomes are not exempt from providing a gas certificate".
- •It says the seller pays no fee to transfer the registration out of their name.
Source: the Queensland Government, read 29 Oct 2026.
South Australia
- •The SA Government says that when you sell an SA registered vehicle, "such as a car, trailer, caravan or motorbike", you must submit a notice of disposal to Service SA.
- •It says the notice may protect you from being held responsible for the buyer's parking or driving offences.
Source: the SA Government, read 29 Oct 2026.
Western Australia
- •The WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure says that when you sell a WA licensed vehicle, "including a car, caravan, motorcycle or trailer", you must notify it within 7 days.
- •It says you give the name and address of the new owner, online or on the MR9 form.
Source: the WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, read 29 Oct 2026.
Tasmania
Transport Tasmania sets out the steps for selling a registered vehicle on its own page.
Source: Transport Tasmania, read 29 Oct 2026.
Northern Territory
The NT Government sets out the steps for selling a registered vehicle on its own page.
Source: the NT Government, read 29 Oct 2026.
Australian Capital Territory
Access Canberra sets out the steps for selling a registered vehicle on its own page.
Source: Access Canberra, read 29 Oct 2026.
What the buyer pays to register the van is in our caravan registration costs guide.
Scams that target sellers
Scamwatch, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, lists these warning signs.
- •Paying too much. A buyer sends more than the agreed price and asks you to refund the difference.
- •Buying unseen. A buyer wants an expensive item without looking at it in person.
- •Fees up front. A buyer asks you to pay shipping or transport costs to their agent and promises to repay you. A fake email from what looks like a payment company then claims to confirm their payment.
Scamwatch says if a payment confirmation email arrives, call the company using the details on its official website, not the ones in the email. It also says many payments are now made instantly, and you are unlikely to get the money back.
If you think a buyer is a scammer, report it to Scamwatch.
Source: Scamwatch, read 29 Oct 2026.
Selling a caravan: questions
How do I sell my caravan privately?
Price it against advertised vans like it, have its papers ready, and show buyers the van in person. After the sale, complete your state's notice of disposal or transfer steps.
What paperwork do I need to sell a caravan?
Have the registration papers, the compliance plate details and any service records ready. Each state sets its own transfer steps. In Queensland the seller gives the buyer a safety certificate and, for a van fitted with gas, a gas certificate before the buyer takes the van.
Do I need to tell the registration office when I sell my caravan?
NSW, Victoria, South Australia and WA each say on their own pages that a seller of a registered caravan or trailer notifies them. WA's limit is 7 days. Victoria's is 14 days.
What if there is money owing on my caravan?
Clear it before the sale. Buyers can search the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) to see whether money is owing on a van.
How do I avoid scams when selling a caravan?
Scamwatch warns about buyers who pay more than the agreed price and ask for the difference back, and buyers who will not look at the van in person. Report a scam to Scamwatch.