Archives: Dealer Bulletins

Launched in June this year, the AADA National Service, Parts & Pre-Delivery Forum and the AADA Used Car Manager Reference Group have quickly become important channels for dealer feedback, industry updates, and member-driven policy work. As we wrap up the year, the final meetings for both groups are scheduled for December.

These forums ensure AADA continues to listen closely to members and respond to the day-to-day issues faced on the ground in these areas of the business. Your involvement directly helps shape AADA’s engagement with government, regulators and industry bodies.

AADA Used Car Reference Group

Date: Tuesday 16 December

Time: 2.00–3.00 pm AEDT

Chairs: Matthew Higgins (Phil Gilbert Motors NSW) & Paul O’Halloran (Hopper Motor Group Vic)

Issues on the agenda to be discussed include:

1. AADA work on the ACL – important update
2. Update on the PPSR and work done with the PPSR Regulator (Australian Financial Security Agency)
3. Online classified provider activity
4. Dealer processes for providing test drives for consumers – what is best practice?
5. Updates on:
   • ASIC review into the motor vehicle finance sector
   • AADA dealer guidance for tribunal or court claims
6. Launch of the AADA Dealer Academy

AADA National Service, Parts, and Pre-Delivery Forum

Date: Wednesday 17 December

Time: 2.00–3.00 pm AEDT

Chair: TBC

Supported by: Lance Walsh (NQ Auto Group), Stewart Jenkins (Hopper Motor Group), Jason McDonald (Western Ford)

Members are invited to forward any agenda items they wish to speak about. Current topics for discussion include:

1. AADA work on the ACL – important update
2. Update on dealer EV service, repair and roadworthiness issues:
   • NSW EV training requirements – update
   • Victorian EV roadworthy – update
   • State by state analysis on the regulatory requirements for dealers on the repair and vehicle fitness obligations of EVs.
   • Development of a streamlined solution to facilitate the recognition of prior learning for technicians who have attended OEM EV training.
3. Uncollected vehicles in dealer service departments.
4. Australian Government Inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry – what does this mean for dealers who retail tyres?
5. AASRA update
6. AADA progress on:
   • National repair order
   • AADA dealer guidance for tribunal or court claims.

If your dealership would like to participate in either group, please submit your interest by registering below. Participation in each group is limited to AADA franchised new car dealership members or their used car specific subsidiaries.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

At the most recent AADA Used Car Dealer Forum, concerns were raised by dealers from all states about delays in removing financial encumbrances from vehicles on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). The delays occur after the dealer has remitted the final payout amount to the party with the PPSR security interest. To help identify issues and improve PPSR processes, the AADA is asking dealers to complete a short survey capturing your experiences and any challenges with the PPSR.

Background

Legislative Requirement

Under Section 167(2) of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth), secured parties must lodge a financing change statement within five business days of the security interest being satisfied. Dealers are concerned that this requirement is not being met by finance companies and auction houses.

Delays by finance companies and auction houses in not removing registrations from the PPSR after a security interest expires results in negative consequences for individuals, businesses and the credit system. Those delays can force dealers to cancel sales contracts, as vehicles cannot be delivered without clear title or inconvenience consumers who just want to take delivery of their purchased vehicle.

Other Key Dealer Concerns with the PPSR

Dealers have advised AADA that:

• A PPSR encumbrance removal can at times take up to three to four weeks after payout.
• Uncertainty about whether a PPSR certificate provides sufficient assurance of clear title.
• High fees charged by some private providers compared to the $2 PPSR search fee from the PPSR administrator, the Australian Finance Security Authority (AFSA).

AADA Action

AADA has engaged extensively with AFSA to address the slow discharge of PPSR encumbrances by finance companies and auction houses, other operational issues, and explore efficiencies for dealers and consumers. AFSA are keen to hear the Australian dealers’ experiences with the PPSR.

Have Your Say

To help identify issues and improve PPSR processes, AADA invites dealers to complete an eight-minute survey covering:

• Dealer interactions with finance companies.
• Auction house practices.
• Dispute resolution and the PPSR Registrar.
• Securing parts supply for aftermarket and repair sectors.

It should be taken by your dealership’s Finance and Insurance Manager and/or your dealership’s Chief Financial Officer or Administrative Manager.

AFSA will review the survey outcomes and has expressed an interest in understanding dealer experiences with the PPSR. Dealers are encouraged to visit the AFSA Regulatory Action Statement 2025-26 to view other areas where AFSA will focus on the 2025-26 period.

The survey will be open for responses until 15 December 2025.

COMPLETE SURVEY

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has released preliminary insights into its current review (the review) of Australia’s motor vehicle finance sector. With preliminary findings pointing to several trends that warrant close attention from industry.

As part of the review, ASIC has taken a broad look at the motor vehicle finance sector and seeks to identify mechanisms to reduce consumer harm whilst improving outcomes for all car finance customers, including those in regional and remote areas and First Nations communities.

The review has taken the step of charting and examining the entire customer journey – from the loan application stage, assessment, hardship support and dispute resolution. ASIC identified issues such as unaffordable loans and substantial variations in establishment fees, including one case where a $49,000 loan incurred $9,000 in fees. These practices have led to poor outcomes for consumers, particularly for vulnerable groups.

In response, ASIC has issued tailored action letters to eight lenders who have been involved in the review. Those letters have recommended improvements in areas such as staff training, risk management, hardship processes, and governance frameworks. ASIC have advised that detailed findings from the review will be published in 2026. Dealers should note that ASIC have also confirmed that addressing misconduct in used car finance for vulnerable consumers remains a key ASIC enforcement priority in 2025 and 2026.

AADA members who act as intermediaries and arrange consumer vehicle finance are encouraged to consult directly with their finance providers regarding any concerns they may have with the review and ensure that the finance company are working within the legislative requirements of the National Consumer Credit Protection (NCCP) Act 2009 (Cth).

The AADA met with ASIC ahead of the release of their preliminary insights and is in regular dialogue with the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA), the peak body representing the finance industry. AADA remains confident that the overwhelming majority of our members are adhering to their responsible lending obligations. While it is unclear to what extent new car dealers or AADA members have been the focus of ASIC’s current investigation, dealers should expect a period of heightened scrutiny.

The AADA has released the October 2025 Automotive Insights Report. The report provides a national snapshot of used car sales and listings, with 206,503 vehicles sold during the month, up 2.8 per cent on September.

Used hybrid sales have more than doubled in the last two years, rising from 6,868 in October 2023 to 14,784 vehicles this month. Consumers are clearly looking for practical options that deliver lower running costs and emissions without compromising on convenience.

Hybrid listings also increased strongly, up 21.1 per cent month-on-month, highlighting rising supply and consumer confidence in the segment. While electric vehicle sales also rose modestly (up 7.9 per cent), the hybrid segment showed the sharpest growth, outpacing both petrol and diesel.

Overall used car activity remained stable, with total listings easing 3.9 per cent and dealers accounting for 52.4 per cent of all sales.

Key insights from the October 2025 AIR include:

• Sales rise: National used car sales totalled 206,503, up 2.8 per cent month-on-month.
• Listings ease: Active listings fell 3.9 per cent to 325,018, with reductions across most states.
• Hybrid momentum builds: Used hybrid sales climbed 3 per cent month-on-month and are up nearly 50 per cent year-on-year.
• EVs gain traction: Used EV sales rose 7.9 per cent to 3,231 vehicles, continuing steady growth.
• SUVs remain dominant: The segment accounted for over 43 per cent of all used car sales.

Dealers seeking more granular and local data can contact AutoGrab directly for a tailored solution.

If you are a dealer of a contributing brand and would like access to the monthly report please email Communications Manager Ashleigh Sykes on asykes@aada.asn.au.

The AADA has previously advised New South Wales (NSW) dealers of the new requirements introduced under the NSW Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025 (MDRA) governing the online sale of motor vehicles.

Following these changes, the AADA has received several enquiries from NSW dealers and DMS providers seeking clarification on online selling requirements.

The AADA sought clarification from the NSW Fair Trading Consumer Protection Investigation Unit regarding the intent of the new provisions, specifically, whether dealers are required to upload a Form 5 notice with each online vehicle listing and how an online motor dealer is defined under the legislation.

NSW Fair Trading provided the following advice and relevant legislative references from the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 (NSW) (the Act).

Operating as an ‘online dealer’

If a dealer has not nominated a URL (website) as a premises on their motor dealer’s license, then they currently cannot operate wholly or partly as an online dealer. To operate as an online dealer, a ‘change to notified premises form’ must be submitted and approved by Fair Trading, and a URL ending in “.au” must be submitted as part of this application. Online motor dealers are also required to notify the Secretary at least 20 days before commencing to carry on business as an online motor dealer.

Form 5 requirements

The requirement to make a Form 5 publicly available only applies to motor dealers who wholly or partly operate as an online motor dealer. An online motor dealer means a motor dealer who uses a website to offer for sale and sell motor vehicles to online purchasers. An online purchaser means a purchaser of a motor vehicle from an online motor dealer through the online motor dealer’s website (s4 of the Act).

Definition of ‘online dealer’

If a dealer (e.g. Bob & Bill’s Car Sales) maintains a website or advertises their vehicles on a third party website which offers vehicles for sale, but the sale is completed from either of the nominated physical premises (e.g. 12 Smith Street, Wollongong NSW 2500), then this is NOT considered the business of an online motor dealer.

If Bob & Bill’s Car Sales decides to become ‘partly’ an online dealer and a change to the notified premises form is submitted and approved, then online motor dealer requirements apply. In this circumstance, Form 5s must be publicly available on the online motor dealer’s website in addition to being attached to the motor vehicle. If a motor dealer is online only, then Form 5s are required to be publicly available on the website which is nominated on their motor dealer’s license.

The requirement to display a license number

NSW Fair Trading advise this requirement applies to all motor dealers regardless of whether they are online, partly online or not online. This means their license number must be prominently displayed in a reasonably prominent location on their website and advertising material.

Other

Form 5 motor dealer notices are only required to be advertised and completed for the sale of second hand and ex-demonstrator vehicles. If the second hand or ex-demonstrator vehicle is sold to a motor dealer, motor recycler or financier, then a form 5 does not need to be completed. (s60 of the Act)

Dealers currently operating as an online dealer have until 1 December 2025 to notify NSW Fair Trading and meet all other requirements.

This is to remind members of the upcoming annual general meeting of the members of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association Limited. The details of this meeting are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday 28 October 2025
• Time: 2:00pm (AEDT)
• Place: Video conference (details provided upon registration)

REGISTER FOR AADA AGM

At the meeting, members will be asked to consider and vote to:

• accept the annual report
• accept the director’s report
• accept the auditor’s report
• accept the annual financial statements
• accept the outcome of the election of directors

DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF AGM & PROXY VOTING FORM

The wait is over – the AADA Dealer Academy is officially live and ready for your team to get started.

As a AADA member, you now have access to Australia’s first and only online training academy built for dealers, backed by dealers.

Designed with input from leading dealerships across the country, the Academy provides a dedicated resource for staff development and training, supporting your business by empowering your team with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s competitive market.

From management to administration, the AADA Dealer Academy offers a range of practical, automotive-specific courses tailored to every role in your dealership. Each course is designed to help you drive growth, ensure compliance, and boost profitability.

Some highlights of the AADA Dealer Academy include:

• Browse and subscribe to courses relevant to your role.
• Start, pause, or repeat bite-sized modules anytime.
• Build a custom learning path that fits your dealership’s needs.

FIND OUT MORE

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Academy team at info@aadadealeracademycom.au.

The AADA, in partnership with AutoGrab, have released the September 2025 Automotive Insights Report (AIR), offering a national snapshot of used car sales and listings across both dealer and private transactions with 200,916 vehicles sold during the month.

September’s results show the used car market holding steady, with total sales edging slightly lower but vehicles selling faster than at any point this year. Average days to sell fell again, indicating sustained buyer activity despite overall volumes easing.

Key insights from September include:

• Sales ease slightly: National used car sales totalled 200,916, down 1.3 per cent month-on-month. NSW and the NT bucked the trend, recording increases in sales activity.
• Vehicles selling faster: The average days to sell fell to 42.4 days, down from 43.9 in August – the lowest figure of 2025 so far and continuing the steady decline from March’s high of 51.3 days.
• Dealer activity steady: Dealers accounted for 53.1 per cent of all sales and 59.8 per cent of listings, showing stable participation despite a marginal dip in total active listings to 338,090.
• EV momentum returns: Used EV sales rose 8.9 per cent to 2,995 vehicles, reversing last month’s fall.

The used car market continues to show resilience. Even with overall volumes softening, vehicles are turning over faster, which highlights strong underlying demand for well-priced stock. Dealers are maintaining solid inventory levels and adapting quickly to changing consumer preferences.

Price pressures in the new EV market are clearly flowing through to used cars with challenges remaining regarding vehicle depreciation. Used EV prices have dropped faster than the rest of the market, which isn’t surprising given the big discounts now being offered on new models.

Dealers seeking more granular and local data can contact AutoGrab directly for a tailored solution.

If you are a dealer of a contributing brand and would like access to the monthly report please email Communications Manager Ashleigh Sykes on asykes@aada.asn.au.

The countdown is on and you are invited. The AADA Dealer Academy is officially launching on October 20th!

It is Australia’s first and only online training academy built for dealers, backed by dealers. Delivering a fast-growing library of practical, automotive-specific eLearning designed to lift capability, sharpen performance, and energise teams across your dealership.

Access is included in your AADA membership, so secure your place now for our October 20 launch.

What you can expect

• Targeted courses focused on real dealership roles.
• Bite-sized modules you can start, pause or repeat anytime, to integrate with your dealership operations and business demands.
• A fully customisable training library, so you can choose what you need, when you need it.
• An eLearning Subscription model for a cost-effective training option.

To find out more information and what courses we have on offer, visit the AADA Dealer Academy website.

Ready to get started?

To prepare your team for the October 20 launch, please register your details and our Academy team will be in contact to guide your team through the onboarding process to ensure everything is set for launch day.

ACTIVATE YOUR ACCESS NOW

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Academy team at info@aadadealeracademycom.au.

In response to changes to the NSW Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulations 2025, the AADA has prepared a set of member-only fact sheets to assist franchised new car dealers in understanding their obligations under the new rules.

The Regulation commenced on 1 September 2025, following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. While several key proposals (such as a new EV repair licence class) did not proceed, there are a number of important changes dealers must comply with.

Fact Sheet 1 – Online selling Requirements

New provisions now govern the sale of motor vehicles online. Dealers currently operating online have until 1 December 2025 to notify NSW Fair Trading and meet all other requirements. Dealers who commence online selling after 1 September 2025 must notify NSW Fair Trading at least 20 business days before starting sales.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 1 – ONLINE SELLING REQUIREMENTS

Fact Sheet 2 – Compensation Fund Changes

The Regulation also expanded the Motor Dealers and Repairers Compensation Fund, lifting the maximum claim limit from $40,000 to $100,000 and extending coverage to older vehicles, motorcycles and trailers. It also clarifies the types of conduct that may trigger compensation, while NSW Fair Trading retains oversight of the Fund and authority to adjust levies.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 2 – COMPENSATION FUND CHANGES

Fact Sheet 3 – Other Regulatory Changes

The Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025 also introduced additional reforms, including extending dealer guarantees to trailers from September 2026, longer recordkeeping obligations, new rules for trade show participation, tougher recycler restrictions, and higher penalties for odometer tampering and unlicensed trading.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET 3 – OTHER REGULATORY CHANGES

What Dealers Should Do

Dealers should review their online sales and compliance processes ahead of the December 2025 deadline, update recordkeeping systems, and ensure staff are across the new obligations.