How to Get a Certificate of Roadworthiness

When you plan to sell a car in Australia, getting a roadworthy certificate can be a major roadblock. Failing the roadworthy test can cost you money as well as time apart from fetching a lower price for your car when you are selling. But, the process itself is pretty simple and you only need to locate a licensed tested and an authorized garage where the test will be done. One this is done, you can take your car to the designated garage, and the entire process generally takes about two hours. Though the whole process is simple, passing the tests can be challenging, particularly when your car has been in use for several years. Therefore, it helps to understand the whole process before you embark on getting this certificate.

What is checked to qualify for this certificate?

Before you book your vehicle for an inspection, you should know about the following checks that will be carried out during the process. Further, it would be a great idea if you take your vehicle to your regular mechanic and ensure that the vehicle can indeed pass the checks. This way, you can avoid a rejection note and another visit to the vehicle tester/garage. Your car dealer or other professional automobile service providers can be helpful in making the process of getting the certificate easier.

Lights

You do know that there are multiple lights in your vehicle and all of them are expected to work when needed. Therefore by making sure that the indicators, headlights, brake lights, fog lights, number plate lights and any other light you may have are in perfect working order. This will help you cross the first hurdle.

Tyres

Next comes the tyres. You should ensure that are not worn out and that your hub caps are free from cracks and also that the valve caps are in the right place. Further, you should also have the tread depth checked and it should be a minimum of 1.5 mm for passing the inspection. Next, you should also check smaller elements like the spare tyre and the tyre pressure in all tyres.

Suspension

The suspension system connects your car to the wheels and cushions your movement. Therefore it is critical that they are in prime state. The key components in the suspension system include:-

• Shock absorbers
• Springs, ball joints, tie rod ends
• Suspension bushes

Now, if you are not very conversant with the parts of the suspension system, the following are signs of a compromised suspension system:

• Feeling the bumps when you are on the road
• Difficulty with steering
• One corner of the vehicle tilted lower compared to the other
• Acceleration makes your vehicle lean back, nose-dive or roll
• Pulling to a side while driving

Power steering

Open the bonnet and examine the power steering fluid using the dipstick to ensure that the level and colour are right. The colour of the fluid needs is amber, clear or pinkish. But, if the colour is black, the tester will flag the same. You should also look out for oil stains around the area where your vehicle is normally parked during the night.

Brakes

The rotors and brake pads will generally be checked. Look out for pulsation from the brake pedal when you are behind the wheels. Another possibility is that the steering wheels will b shaking when you apply the brake. These are the warning signs that your brakes should be serviced.

Windscreen

The specification with respect to tinted windows is pretty strict in Australia. Therefore, you should ensure that the tint stays below 35% else it would be reckoned as too dark and your vehicle will not pass the test. You should also take care to fix any small chips, scratches or cracks. Windscreen damage can be repaired at minimal cost compared to a full replacement.

Timing the testing

A roadworthy certificate stays valid for only 30 days. Therefore, you should take extra care when you want the inspection done. Ideally, it should be just about a week before the planned sale and making sure that your vehicle can indeed pass the tests, using the above guidance. With a roadworthy certificate in hand, you also gain an edge while negotiating the sale.

Conclusion

When you list your used car for sale, listings without a roadworthy certificate may carry a red flag in Victoria. A roadworthy certificate thus carries the assurance that the vehicle is fit to be on public roads. However, this certificate does not cover the overall quality of the vehicle while satisfying a legal requirement. Buyers can, therefore, seek a thorough inspection of the vehicle to include items that are not covered by the RWC.