Buying a Car Interstate Guide 2026
Found your dream car or an unmissable deal in NSW, VIC or elsewhere? Here’s how you can bring it back to WA
We’ve put together this guide to help you get your head around everything from insurance and rego to inspections and transport costs. With recent global events in 2026, the costs can be considerably higher than they once were.
If you’ve already found the vehicle and are ready to bring it home, download our checklist and make sure you’ve got all of your ducks in a row.
Should I Even Consider Buying a Car from Another State?
There are plenty of reasons why WA buyers turn to dealerships in VIC, QLD and NSW:
You’re opening yourself up to an enormous market
Perth is only Australia’s 4th largest city and the vehicle market reflects that. Looking interstate, you expand the makes, models and packages available to you.
You may get a better deal
A bigger market means more competition and lower prices. You’re not limited by dealership prices in Osborne Park, Victoria Park, Wangara or Cannington.
However, you need to weigh up the potential purchase savings with the transport costs in getting the vehicle here amongst other considerations of which we’ll outline below.
Get the Details Right Before You Buy
Inspection is must
It’s an obvious one, but you need to know what condition the car is in. Speak with a trusted mechanic or, if you’re in the state of purchase, have a look for yourself.
Once the vehicle is in WA, you’ll also need to get it inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station. The vehicle won’t be able to be registered in WA until they provide a valid certificate.
How are you getting it back to WA?
The biggest question when purchasing interstate is, “Do I drive it home or contact a logistics company?”.
For example, P&S Logistics offer interstate vehicle transport as their main service. Having a company that is equipped and familiarised with the route may be an advantage, along with a reduced risk of mechanical problems happening on the way home.
Alternatively, there are less formal ways of getting someone else to drive it here for you, such as backpackers or travellers who are looking to come West – While cheaper, however, there are obvious risks involved along with insurance considerations. Any decision to use such services is at your own risk.
If you’re not going to work with a logistics company, make sure you account for:
Flights to the state of purchase
Food and accommodation costs
Fuel expenses for the drive back to WA
Miscellaneous costs you pick up along the way
Potential mechanical problems or breakdowns on the way home
The Cost of Buying a Car Interstate
The biggest cost consideration for an interstate purchase in 2026: Fuel
With huge global events taking place such as the USA v Iran war, the Venezuela takeover and the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, fuel prices in have surged to over $2 per litre Unleaded and nearly $3 per litre in Diesel in WA.
This means that the fuel cost in driving from the Eastern states to WA could potentially cost up to 50% more than it did a couple of years ago.
This not only affects you if you’re driving it yourself, but costs are also tacked onto logistics companies, as they too need fuel.
Your Buying Options
Just like with purchasing from within your state, you generally have three choices when buying a car from interstate:
You’ll deal with an individual, typically the car’s current owner.
Private sales can offer an attractive price but you’ll need to put in extra legwork to confirm the vehicle’s roadworthiness and true value.
On the flip side, you can deal with a professional salesperson.
Buying new or used from a dealership might come at a higher cost, but you’ll also be eligible for warranties and incentives that private sellers can’t offer.
What if you’re looking at an EV?
Fuel costs have risen an extraordinary amount in 2026. A lot of our customers have been looking interstate to secure an even better deal on an EV or hybrid.
If you want to drive the car home, it is possible to drive across the Nullarbor in an EV. However, there are limited charging stations along the way, so make sure you forward plan and account for:
the vehicle’s range (be conservative)
grid shortages due to weather conditions
For more tips and advice, read this article written by the Australian Electric Vehicle Association in February 2026.
How to Obtain a WA Licence for an Interstate Vehicle
We’ve broken down the key info:
You need to contact the Department of Transport within 14 days of buying a licensed vehicle.
If the vehicle you purchase is unlicensed or its registration expires within three months, it should be inspected prior to applying for rego.
You need a temporary moving permit to get the car into WA
All vehicles bought from another state must be checked at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS).
You need to show your proof of ownership if the car is not currently licensed. You will need to present a receipt or bill of sale, which has all the necessary details of the purchase, including price, vehicle information and date of sale.
In most cases, you have to pay stamp duty.
Ready to Make Your Interstate Purchase?
Download our interstate car buying checklist.
Can I buy a car from another state in Australia?
There is nothing stopping you buying a car interstate and bringing it back to WA. You just need to follow the processes outlined in this article and use our downloadable checklist.
You will also need to transfer the vehicle ownership online via the WA Department of Transport.
Can I buy a used car in another state and drive it home?
Yes, but you’ll need to go through all the checks and registration processes outline above. Make sure you’ve planned around driving ranges and charging stations if you’re purchasing an EV
What does interstate car transport cost?
Interstate car transport costs depend on the distance, vehicle size, pickup and delivery locations and the type of service you choose. For a long-distance move to WA, you could expect to pay anywhere between $1,100–$2,800 for a standard car.
