In Victoria, a Certificate of Roadworthiness is generally required when a vehicle is sold or if a used vehicle is to be re-registered. This helps minimise the number of poorly maintained vehicles on the road.
In some cases a Certificate of Roadworthiness is also required to clear a Vehicle Defect Notice or a Notice of Unroadworthiness.
Who issues certificates?
A Certificate of Roadworthiness can only be issued by a licensed vehicle tester, operating from a nominated garage or service station. G & V Auto Repairs are licensed vehicle testers.
When can a certificate be issued?
The vehicle must pass a roadworthy inspection, then a certificate is issued.
What is inspected?
The inspection is a check of the vehicle to ensure that key components have not worn or deteriorated and that the vehicle is safe for normal road use.
A roadworthy inspection mainly covers the major safety related items, including:
- wheels and tyres
- steering, suspension and braking systems
- seats and seat belts
- lamps and reflectors
- windscreen, and windows including front windscreen wipers and washers
- the structure of the vehicle itself
- other safety related items on the body, chassis or engine
The roadworthiness test is not a check of the mechanical reliability or general condition of the vehicle. If you require a comprehensive check on the overall condition and reliability of the vehicle then you should arrange for a separate report offered by G&V Auto Repairs Roadworthy Centre.
The certificate does not mean:
- that the vehicle is in top condition without any wear or deterioration
- non-safety related accessories such as the air conditioner, rear window demister, electric windows and rear-window wipers are working
- that the items checked during the roadworthy inspection will continue to function after the inspection eg. a brake light can stop functioning at any time after the inspection.
What if the vehicle fails the test?
If an item fails to meet the standard, we will issue a rejection report. You will be given seven days to repair the item/s rejected and return the vehicle to us for a second inspection of the failed items. If more than seven days elapse a complete inspection must again be carried out on the vehicle.
How much does the test cost?
The cost of obtaining a Certificate of Roadworthiness is not fixed. It may depend on the age, type and condition of the vehicle being examined. You can ask for a quote from us.
How long does a certificate last?
A Certificate of Roadworthiness is current, for the purposes of a transaction, for 30 days from the date of issue.
What about the Australian Design Rules?
The roadworthiness test is not a complete assessment of a vehicle’s compliance with the Standards for Registration, which, in most cases, are the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The ADRs are a set of minimum standards for the construction of motor vehicles and trailers. In most cases compliance with these standards cannot be assessed by inspection alone.