We all know it can be a pain to get a roadworthy certificate, and it’s an extra cost many of us could do without. Regardless of the inconvenience, it is an important system that keeps our roads safe and functioning. Making sure all vehicles on our roads are in a roadworthy condition is part of the job of VicRoads.
VicRoads runs the roadworthy system by licensing private businesses to inspect vehicles (testers). There are over 2500 licensed testers in Victoria, and all operate under very strict guidelines.
VicRoads does not set the price for the roadworthy inspection, this is done by the licensed tester. Prices for inspections therefore range from under $50 to over $400!
So why is there such a difference in price? How can we tell what we should be paying?
The general thing you should always remember is that 99% of licensed testers also make money by repairing vehicles. The question is: can you trust these repair shops to give you a 100% honest roadworthy inspection?
- Be aware of cheap offers: some workshops will offer roadworthy certificates for prices that are too good to be true. Unfortunately, they may recoup costs by failing items on your vehicle that are not actually specified in roadworthy guidelines (air-conditioning, rear window wipers and demisters etc.).
- Be aware that some testers may not be fully up-to-date on the latest rules and regulations: VicRoads regularly updates and changes rules. Make sure that when you are getting a roadworthy inspection the tester is fully aware of all guidelines and changes.
- Will it cost you more in the long run? The inspection price may be cheap, but you must consider that if you are going to be required to pay for unnecessary repairs before the roadworthy certificate is issued, is it really worth it?
Vehicle Inspections Australia avoids these concerns by remaining independent and unbiased. We do not do repairs or services so you can be confident that any repairs required for the roadworthy certificate are honest and true.