Answering Some FAQs About Vehicle Registration Inspections
Vehicle registrations inspections are usually required in all states of Australia when you want to renew a registration or put the vehicle up for sale. These inspections are not typically very expensive and are meant to ensure that the car is safe to be on the road. If you need to renew a registration or are looking to sell your vehicle, note a few commonly asked questions about these inspections, so you know what's involved and know what to expect through the process:
What do they check?
One of the most commonly asked questions about these safety inspections is what they check specifically, but this will vary from state to state in Australia. It is, however, good to know what an inspection would cover in your area specifically, as you might not be expecting the windscreen or headlights and other such pieces to be inspected, or may not realize that rusting under the car's body can mean that it fails the inspection. If your car is a few years old and not in pristine condition, call a certified inspector and ask for a list of items that are included, as they should be looking only at the items that are required to be inspected by the state, and should provide you with those details.
Who pays for this certificate for vehicles for sale?
Don't make the mistake of thinking that an inspection on a vehicle for sale works like selling a house; in home selling, a buyer pays for an inspection of the house during the negotiation process, after putting in a bid. For a vehicle, however, the seller needs to have this safety inspection done before putting it up for sale, even before putting a sign in a window that it's for sale, and this inspection must be available for potential buyers to see.
How many times do you need to pay for an inspection if the vehicle fails?
If your vehicle fails the vehicle registration inspection, you typically have a window of time to get repairs done and can get the vehicle reinspected for free by the same inspector within that time frame. This time frame may vary from state to state, so be sure to ask your inspector about this if your vehicle needs repairs, and note any paperwork you would need to bring with you to have the vehicle re-inspected without charge. However, keep in mind that you need to adhere to their stated time frame; failing to get your vehicle repaired and then re-inspected within that time will mean that you're now obligated to pay for another inspection, even if you revisit the same inspector.
