14 November 2017
 Categories: , Blog

Vehicle ownership requires one to keep a car roadworthy not only for the safety of the driver and passengers, but also for the safety of other road users. Cars must pass the road-worthiness test to renew registration licenses in Australia. A vehicle should comply with standard requirements for steering, wheel, and tires, seat-belts, exhaust, brakes, and chassis among others. Besides, by passing a road-worthiness inspection, your vehicle receives a clean bill of health in readiness for change of ownership. This article examines some valuable facts to help car owners attain the roadworthy certificate. 

When Is a Roadworthy Inspection Needed?

In most states and territories in Australia, a roadworthy inspection is necessary when you import a vehicle from overseas, especially for cars that were mass-produced initially as the left-hand drive. Further, if you fit a non-standard engine to your car to increase performance, then you have to undergo a roadworthy inspection. Other considerations include instances of significant adjustments to the vehicle height and wheelbase when a written-off vehicle is repaired, and if when a car received a major defect notice.

Fix Brake Components and Steering

Take your vehicle to a certified mechanic to fix issues with car components. Brakes components should not bear any visible damage, distortion, wear, or have any leaks. Notably, ensure that the emergency brakes and vehicle parking are working correctly so that the park brakes can bring the vehicle to a stationary position on elevated surfaces. Other brake parts to look out for are brake lights and brake linings. The suspension and steering must allow the car to drive without pulling sideways. Moreover, make sure that your mechanic provides ample clearance between the car's body and suspension parts. Most importantly, there should be no leaks in suspension and steering components. 

Repair Issues with Car Chassis and Body

The chassis and body of a vehicle are huge components. As such, before a roadworthy inspection, these car parts must be in tip-top shape to stand a chance of receiving a roadworthy certificate. Your car expert should remove any glaring signs of modifications, damage, cracks, and rust, which might affect the safety of the vehicle. Parts including bonnet, boot, tow-bar, doors, and latch mechanisms should be working optimally. 

Some DIY Checks

Some of the necessary checks that you can perform on your include examination the car's fluids and tires. Fluid leaks can lead to low levels of oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid thereby risking damage to the engine. Therefore, checking fluid levels ensures that your engine is fit on the road. Further, tires are integral for providing grip and stability on the road. As such, check the tires for adequate pressure and treads to increase safety when driving. 

For more information about roadworthy inspection and rwc, contact a local professional.