Roadworthy Certificates

I get asked a lot about roadworthy certificates.

I have attempted to answer some of the main questions about them below:

  • Is a Roadworthy Certificate the same thing as an RWC and/or a Safety Certificate? Yes. Some time ago a RWC (roadworthy certificate) began being referred to in Qld legislation as a safety certificate. However most people still use and better recognise the term roadworthy certificate.
  • What is a Roadworthy Certificate? A RWC is a certification by a qualified and registered mechanic that the car in question is up to a certain standard – mainly for road safety and for the purpose of keeping defective cars off the roads.
  • What do mechanics look at in a RWC? Safety items to ensure the new owner has car with registration transferred to them (or to re-registered) has met a certain level of safety. Items scrutinised in the safety certificate include: seatbelts, brake pads and rotors, tyres, wheels, wipers, rubber joints, boots and bushes in steering and suspension systems, lights and bulbs, obvious signs of dangerous wear mechanically and in the bodywork (e.g. a cracked windscreen or say a gearbox that doesn’t change gears).
  • What do mechanics NOT check? This is an important note when considering the value of a car. Just because it has passed a roadworthy certificate doesn’t necessarily mean it is a great car. Hidden signs of wear or damage not included in such a basic safety inspection may be present. For example cut and shut cars otherwise known as repaired write-offs. Or cars that have major mechanical problems – it is not necessary for a RWC inspector to take the car for a test drive.
  • How long does a RWC safety certificate last?For dealers it is 3 months or 1,000kms whichever comes first. For private sales it is only 2 months or 10,000 kms.
  • How much does a RWC cost?Typically anywhere between $80 and $110 or thereabouts. Typically mechanics will find at least something wrong and offer their services to fix it. Others, less scrupulous workshops use the exercise to charge a fortune and try and make the car new again – perhaps arguably unnecessarily..

Remember you don’t need to supply a RWC to sell your car today to a motor dealer like myself. Call on 0411 362 229 to see how much cash you can get for your car without going to all the hassle of getting one arranged.