In Australia, you check for money owing on a car with a PPSR search using the VIN—no crystal ball required, just about $2 and a minute of your life.
Buy the PPSR certificate and make sure it says no security interests; match the VIN on the report to the car, the rego papers, and the compliance plate.
If finance shows, get a payout letter from the lender and ensure any funds go to the lender (or settle at the bank) so the security is cleared before you take the keys.
Get a signed receipt stating "clear title," confirm the seller’s ID matches the registration, and keep copies of everything like a slightly paranoid librarian.
Bonus diligence: check state rego status and stolen/write-off history; many PPSR reports include that anyway.
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