Everyone must enjoy the universal right to safety, and to ensure safety on roads, countries around the world have different mechanisms. In Australia, each state has specific roadworthy certificate inspection regulations. Vehicles need to be certified as roadworthy to be allowed on the roads and to ensure public safety. You may only sell or register your vehicle after passing roadworthy certificate inspections.
What If My Vehicle Fails Roadworthy Certificate?
Failing a roadworthy inspection can be very frustrating. If this happens to you, take heart; all is not lost because you are given some time to get the issues rectified. However, if you fail to complete the necessary repairs and corrections, the state has full authority to cancel your car’s partial RWC. It means that you will need to go thorough inspection and pay the inspection fee once again.
Here, it is pertinent to mention that safety inspection includes basic safety operations and not mechanical inspection. Safety inspection failures are mostly due to minor mistakes that are easy to fix. Here are the most common mistakes that cause vehicles to fail the road worthiness inspection and how to avoid them.
1-Lights
One of the top reasons for certification failure is the malfunctioning of lights, and we are not singling out the headlights. Proper functioning of the brake lights, indicator lights, high beam, and emergency flashers is mandatory to pass the certification. If the car has fog lights, these should also be in tiptop condition before going for a roadworthy inspection. Most car owners neglect this inexpensive replacement and suffer from the hassles of going through a second inspection.
2-Tyres
Worn-out tyres are an all too common cause of non-worthiness. Thus, be more meticulous in checking your car tyres for cracks, tread indicators, and valve caps before taking it for testing. All the tyres, including the spare, should have equal air pressure. Do not think twice about spending money on tyre replacement because your vehicle tyres may be the difference between passing and failing inspection. More important, too, is that it could spell the difference between safe braking or crashing.
3-Steering Components and Alignment
Many drivers overlook the quirks and difficulties in taking quick turns. As a result, their car fails the roadworthy inspection. Australian roadworthy certification inspection requires your steering and alignment to be in topnotch condition. Inspection agents may sometimes overlook minor alignment issues, but severe alignment problems will stand out and result in failing the inspection. Therefore, we recommend taking your car to some mechanic to get the steering components checked.
4-Windscreen
More than 7% of vehicles in Australia fail roadworthy certification because of windscreen issues. Check the windscreen for scratches, chips, and cracks and get them repaired. Window tints should not be too dark and remove the stickers from the windscreen before taking your vehicle for testing.
5-Seatbelts
Worn-out driver and passenger seatbelts are another cause of failed roadworthy inspection. All the belts in the car should be in tiptop shape and working order. Thus, do not overlook these minor and inexpensive repairs and replacements.
6-Brakes
The braking system is one of the most critical safety features in a car. Worn out, faulty or ineffective braking system is a common cause of accidents, and inspections for roadworthiness will strictly assess this car part. It never hurts to double-check the braking system before going for an inspection.
7-Fluid Levels and Leakages
Fluid leaks not only cause safety hazards but can also lead to expensive damages. Make sure to check fluid levels and leakages to maintain your vehicles in tiptop condition. Engine oil, brake oil, transmission oil, and engine coolant are some of the most crucial fluids in your car. A decrease in the level of any fluid may cause malfunctioning of that part in the vehicle.
8-Suspension and Its Components
A little wear and tear in suspension components may cause problems not only for your car but for other drivers sharing the road with you. Australian road safety standards require vehicle suspensions to be in optimal conditions. Inspect suspension bushings, springs, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and shock absorbers before the state agency inspector does.
9-Modifications
If you have changed the appearance or increased the performance of your car, make sure that those installed mods are in line with Australian road safety standards and guidelines set by the Transport Department. Changes without prior permission may lead to certification failure.
10-Excessive Corrosion
Excessive corrosion indicates poor maintenance of the vehicles. Rust and corrosion may cause bubbles in the painting and darken the outward appearance of your car. Have this rectified before going for an inspection.
Think Like the Inspector
Pre-inspect and think like the inspector, not the car owner. Proper functioning of the horn, wiper blades, battery, radiator hose, and airbags is mandatory for roadworthy certification. Address any of the safety concerns before getting a safety inspection. If you notice a flaw, then the inspector will likely see it, too. Otherwise, you may need to bear the brunt and cost of another inspection session for something trivial.
For replacement auto parts that you may need in preparing your car for inspection, you may visit Carpart.com.au for suppliers in your region or operating nationwide.
By Ghazanfar