Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against
The dealer that sold you a faulty vehicle has closed, changed names or gone into liquidation? This $19 guide, built from your answers, shows you how to check what happened to the business, who else may be responsible (the manufacturer or importer, a linked finance company, a state dealer compensation fund), and how to name the right party for your state.
What this document does
- How to check what happened to the dealer: ABN Lookup, ASIC and your state's dealer licence register
- What changes if the company is in liquidation or administration
- Your claim against the manufacturer or importer, which does not depend on the dealer still trading
- Whether a linked finance company may share liability, if the dealer arranged your finance
- Asking your state regulator about a dealer compensation fund
- How to name the right party, and which tribunal or court hears it in your state
What we'll ask you
Plain-English questions, one at a time. No legal knowledge needed — if you don't know an answer exactly, your best estimate is fine.
- The dealer's name, and ABN or ACN if you have it (from the contract or invoice).
- What do you know about what happened to the dealer?
- What is the vehicle? Make, model, year, rego or VIN, new or used, when you bought it, what you paid and the kilometres now.
- Who arranged the finance, if any?
- In a few lines, what is wrong with the vehicle?
- You review it first · Nothing is sent to anyone else
- 2 free amendments included
- All Australian states and territories
- Stripe secured · 256-bit encrypted
Closed Dealer Guide — drafted to the right state law
One document, eight jurisdictions. We only ever cite the Act, regulator and tribunal for your state, so nothing from another jurisdiction bleeds into your closed dealer guide.
New South Wales
NEW SOUTH WALES DEALER GUARANTEE (in addition to the Australian Consumer Law. A motor dealer (anyone carrying on the business of dealing in motor vehicles, s 5.
Victoria
VICTORIA (dealer located in Victoria). STATE DEALER WARRANTY: Motor Car Traders Act 1986 (Vic) s 54, which is part of the sale contract (s 54(2)) and binds any motor car trader, meaning a person carrying on the business of trading in motor cars, licensed or not (s 3).
Queensland
QUEENSLAND DEALER STATUTORY WARRANTY (in addition to the Australian Consumer Law. A warranted vehicle is a used motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, a commercial vehicle (built mainly for carrying or hauling goods, or designed to carry more than 9 persons.
Western Australia
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (the dealer's state). STATE DEALER WARRANTY: Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 (WA) ss 34-34F, which is in addition to the Australian Consumer Law (s 47: the Act does not limit any right the buyer would otherwise have).
South Australia
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (the dealer's state). STATE DUTY TO REPAIR: Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995 (SA) s 23, which is in addition to, and does not derogate from, any other Act or civil remedy, including the Australian Consumer Law (s 5).
Tasmania
TASMANIA (dealer located in Tasmania). STATE DEALER WARRANTY: Motor Vehicle Traders Act 2011 (Tas) Part 4.
Australian Capital Territory
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY STATUTORY WARRANTY (in addition to the Australian Consumer Law.
Northern Territory
NORTHERN TERRITORY DEALER'S DUTY TO REPAIR (in addition to the Australian Consumer Law; s 168(6)(b) says nothing in s 168 derogates from ACL ss 54 and 55): Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 (NT) (CAFTA) Part 10, Division 5, Subdivision C, ss 168-171 (s 168 'Obligation of dealer to repair certain defects').
From your answers to a finished Closed Dealer Guide in three steps
Answer 5 quick questions
Who signs, what is agreed and the key terms. Plain English, one question at a time.
We draft it for your state
Your Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against is drafted to the legislation, regulator and tribunal for your state or territory, then formatted as a professional PDF. Usually ready within about five minutes.
Review, confirm, receive
The draft lands in your dashboard for you to read. Change anything that isn't right (two free amendments), confirm it, and we email you the final PDF. Nothing is sent to anyone else.
Ready? Start now.
No card required until the end. No account needed to start.
Start My Closed Dealer Guide — $19 →$19 flat fee · You review it first · edit it yourself any time, plus 2 redrafts
Everything about the Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against
How much does the Closed Dealer Guide cost?
A flat $19 AUD, including GST. There is no card required to start, no subscription and no hourly rate — you see the full summary of your answers before you pay.
How long does it take?
There are 5 questions, which take a few minutes to answer. You see a full summary of your answers before you pay; your document is drafted once your payment is confirmed.
When do I get the document?
The draft of your Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against is usually ready in about 5 minutes. You read it on your dashboard and can change the wording; once you confirm it, the final PDF is available to download and emailed to you.
What if I need changes?
You read the full Closed Dealer Guide on your dashboard first. You can change the wording or ask for a redraft, with unlimited edits and 2 redrafts included, then confirm it and the final PDF is yours to download and keep.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. The Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against is drafted to the law of the state or territory the matter is in — NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT — citing the right Act, regulator and tribunal or court for that state.
Is anything sent to anyone?
No. This is a guide for you. It downloads straight after you pay.
Is Claim Done a law firm?
No. Claim Done drafts documents from your answers. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Your state Fair Trading or consumer affairs office and the ACCC can explain your rights for free, and Legal Aid or a community legal centre can help with a complex or high-value matter.
Other government & complaints documents
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A few quick questions and your Dealer Closed or Gone Bust? Guide to Who You Can Claim Against is drafted for your state. No card required until the end.
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