Australia is one of the largest countries in the world and one of the best ways travel the country is by vehicle.
I first arrived in Australia in February 2019 and purchased a Ford Econovan 1999 which was fitted as a camper van to travel the country. Since those that time living and travelling in the country I’ve learnt a lot more about vehicles, mechanics and Australia’s culture.
I’m combining this knowledge to share a list of tips on what to know about buying a vehicle to travel Australia. Just keep in mind this list was created for overseas travellers, but can definitely be for anyone. To add to this, I also created a complete Guide on Buying a Vehicle to Travel Australia. These two articles combined should have you on your way to purchasing a safe and reliable vehicle.
Table of Contents
Remember that People Lie
It’s good to be proactive about getting a mechanical inspection done on a potential vehicle. But, even with an inspection done, it’s no guarantee the vehicle is good. Many travellers won’t know where to find a good mechanic on short notice. More importantly there’s no way to hold them accountable.
There can still be hidden problems. And people selling vehicles can tell prospective buyers anything. Not to say that it’s legitimate. Nearly everything could be fraudulent, even reports from mechanics.
Bottom line: once you purchase a vehicle, there’s no going back.
Consider a Tent
Australia has the coolest rooftop tent set ups I’ve ever seen. I’m so surprised it doesn’t exist in more parts of the world. This was something I was really interested in if I couldn’t buy a van for the ease of set up and take down. The roof top tents have a built-in mattress and ladder to get in and out.
It wasn’t until I met others living in those situations to understand it has a few downsides that are essential for living in a vehicle. The biggest is there isn’t the same possibilities of camping in cities, if necessary. There’s also numerous free campsites that don’t allow tents. Roof top tents work out great for so many people, these are just a few key factors to consider.
Housing and Transportation
On top of the demands for finding a vehicle, the trouble I encountered was my own housing and transportation situation before purchasing my van. This was huge. I had accommodation sorted out for just a week after arriving in Sydney and I didn’t want to pay more to stay longer. This added to the pressure to find a vehicle quick.
Transportation was another concern for checking out vehicles around the city. Some of the locations weren’t well accessible on transit. It added up to a lot of time in transit, which I didn’t anticipate at first. It’s important to have plenty of money saved up for road blocks like this. Such as paying for extra accommodation, or transportation.
It’s Not an Investment
Everyone I have met in Australia has had some kind of a problem with their vehicle. Whether it’s a leak in the ceiling from rust, unexpected noises from the engine, or even a full-blown car explosion—ending with no vehicle. Don’t spend life savings on a vehicle expecting to get the same or more back when selling.
Even with proper maintenance, anything can happen to the vehicle. Expect to spend lots of money maintaining and fixing the vehicle, and if that doesn’t happen, then it’s a lucky surprise.
Be Careful of Dealerships
Dealerships can be a natural choice for many people to purchase a vehicle from. Many even offer one-year warranties on vehicles and options for buying back a vehicle after a certain period. It’s just important to know not every dealership is as reliable as they may seem.
What many travellers find out the hard way is these dealers don’t hold up their end of these ‘deals.’ I know people that had a vehicle break down less than a month after purchasing a car, from a dealership. They still had a warranty valid. Once calling the dealer to follow-up, he said he wouldn’t help and they would have to take him to court to get it sorted.
Buy INSURANCE
My final tip on buying a vehicle to travel Australia is more related to safety after purchasing a vehicle. Compulsory Third Party insurance in Australia only covers injuries to people. This means—without additional insurance—if I were to hit another vehicle I would be responsible for everything out of pocket.
I took out extra insurance for my vehicle which will cover damage to buildings and other vehicles. I wasn’t comfortable driving without this because humans make mistakes. I don’t want an accident to cost me all my savings and then some.
Aside from this I also purchased roadside assistance. I can’t recommend this enough! It was less than A$200 a year and will make any breakdown as smooth as can be.
After you have a vehicle make sure to keep up with regular services to prevent from serious breakdowns. Check out my tips on finding the best mechanics in Australia for more information.
