Registrys were run state by state around 2004 most states bar tas qld and nt were on the national then I lost interest in it and qld was roumored to come on board in 2005.

Nsw rta probably had no issue unless it left state. I knew of heaps of cars flagged in Vic and when sold new owners would then be notified. That was the old system in 2008 when the shake up happened they became more proactive in stopping them
Before the changed ownership.

We need to know why they holding it. This is only reason I can think of unless it's held for security but finance or loan.

Used to be called cut and shut or rebirthing and various other names.

Oh and revs checks don't always show this up, there's years of records to load and millions of cars.

How do I know will be the next question, I was stung with a reshelled import and did lots of research back in 2000 and onwards, it came in handy with a previous job I had for a few years before my current job

"at the end of the day her fault.. always do a revs check with every car so avoid bullshit hassles later on... the amount they charge for a revs check could save you thousands!!"

I really don't think we need to blame the victim in this situation, so no, at the end of the day it is not her fault, but thanks for your compassion.

As for REVS I did a revs check when I bought the car, and last time I checked it was the register of encumbered vehicles, that means cars with money owing to finance companies, it doesn't have any money owing on it.

Today they gave the car back, it cost her $400.

Maybe there was a better explanation given than the one I have shared but my friend is partially deaf and talking on the phone to government departments or me is not easy for her.

They gave her some paper work when she picked up the car that said just because they let her have it doesn't mean its not stolen or previously written off.

As for not being roadworthy, when I had the car it appeared to be very original and went really well no sign of ever being in an accident.(it was a Barina, but later than the Suzuki Swift ones)

She got it back that's main thing. Better $400 than loosing it all.

Not sure what else could be. As for govt dept, they have access to services for any medical or cultural barriers. A co worker of mine has that machine thing for his conditions. Great guy and he's frustrated just as much as others of the inability to communicate as easily as we take granted for. He can get his machine to rap do at least he can laugh bout it too.

That's government departments. I paid $1200 to get a engineers report from a nsw certified engineer. Wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. #OOPS# em all!! That's my thoughts on rta etc etc haha