Used-Car Advertising Compliance Checklist for Dealerships

A used-vehicle advertisement is often assembled quickly, but every published claim can shape a customer’s expectations. A short approval process can reduce errors without slowing the sales team down.

Vehicle identity

• Confirm the VIN, variant, model year and registration details.
• Check that the odometer displayed in the listing matches the record used by the dealership.
• Make sure the number of previous owners, if stated, can be supported.
• Confirm that the vehicle is not described as a trim or specification it does not have.

Condition and history

• Record known accident, repair, flood, hail or written-off information accurately.
• Check that “excellent”, “immaculate”, “one owner” and similar claims have evidence.
• Make disclosed defects visible before the listing goes live.
• Use current photographs that match the vehicle being sold.

Price and inclusions

• State what is included in the advertised price.
• Check whether statutory charges, delivery, registration or optional products are described clearly.
• Make sure a discount or comparison price is genuine and supportable.
• Check that finance and repayment examples do not hide key assumptions.

Warranty and consumer rights

Do not describe a used vehicle as having no rights, no remedy or “as-is” protection if that wording could mislead a consumer. The ACCC says dealers have responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law, including not misleading customers about vehicle history, condition or their legal rights.

Approval record

Keep the original listing, approval date, staff member, source documents and any material changes. If a correction is made, record what changed and why. The record should be linked to the vehicle and remain available after the car has sold.

A simple operating rule

If a salesperson cannot explain where a material claim came from, the claim should be checked or removed. Fast publishing is useful only when the underlying information is reliable.

This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Dealers should adapt it to the current law and guidance applying in their state or territory.