16 March 2020
 Categories: , Blog

Vehicle inspection is a requirement by law in Australia since it ensures vehicles on the road are safe for motorists and pedestrians. However, most new car owners harbour the misconception that vehicle inspection is only necessary when buying a new car or when renewing a cancelled or expired registration. However, nothing could be further from the truth. This article highlights the other circumstances when you are required to take your car for inspection.

Transfer of Ownership  

Car transfer ownerships take place every day. From inheritances to second-hand purchases, people exchange car ownership regularly. However, most new owners don't bother with inspections because they assume that the vehicle is roadworthy. Such assumptions can get you into problems with the authorities. The reason is that you can never be too sure if the previous owner presented the car for inspection. The only way to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy is to have it inspected by an authorised vehicle examiner. The best time to do this is immediately after completing the transfer process since it will save you unnecessary struggles with the authorities.

Transferring Vehicle Interstate  

People move interstate for different reasons. It could be work-related, or the need for a change of scenery. That said, vehicle owners are required by law to register their cars in the territory they live in. For instance, if you are moving from Victoria to NSW, you should deregister your vehicle from the former territory and register it in the latter area. However, you should inspect the car before completing the registration process to the new territory. The reason is that you will be required to ascertain the vehicle's roadworthiness before you transfer the vehicle interstate. A new registration will only be issued if you meet the new territory's safety requirements. Therefore, conducting vehicle inspections prior to interstate registration transfer helps to save time.

Issuance of Defect Notice 

Vehicle inspections can be conducted once if you are the sole owner. However, the Australia government has a scheme in place that allows authorities to inspect cars — whether occupied or garaged — randomly. Spot checks are typically conducted along highways where the officer in charge issues a defect notice if they find any. After that, motorists are required to have the defects repaired, after which they should get the car inspected by an authorised examiner within 14 days of the defect notice issuance. It is critical to observe this timeline to avoid the suspension of your registration.

For more information, reach out to a vehicle inspection service near you.