Roadworthy Certificate Checklist: What Sellers Need Before Listing a Car

Before you list a registered car for sale in Victoria, you need a roadworthy certificate (RWC) that is less than 30 days old when you sell. Fix the common fail points first, then book the inspection close to the date you expect to sell. That way a failed item can't stall the sale or hand a buyer a bargaining chip.

A roadworthy certificate (RWC) is a certificate showing that a vehicle met Victoria's safety standard on the day a licensed vehicle tester inspected it. Licensed vehicle testers are the testers licensed to carry out these inspections and issue the certificate. Tread wear indicators are the small raised bars in a tyre's main grooves that show when the tread has worn down to the minimum depth.

Why you need one to sell

For most private sellers of a used car, the RWC is your job. Consumer Affairs Victoria's guide to selling a car says you must provide a roadworthy certificate that is less than 30 days old if you're selling a registered vehicle. The buyer needs it to transfer the registration into their name. Some vehicles are exempt, such as brand-new vehicles and light trailers, and VicRoads lists the exemptions in full.

A car advertised without a roadworthy tends to attract lower offers and fewer serious buyers. It tells buyers that someone still has to pay for the test and any repairs it turns up.

What the roadworthy checklist covers

An RWC inspection runs through a fixed list of safety items, carried out by a licensed vehicle tester. According to Transport Victoria's page on the roadworthy certificate, it covers:

• Wheels & tyres
• Steering, suspension & brakes
• Seats & seatbelts
• Lights & reflectors
• Windscreen, windows, front wipers & washers
• Vehicle structure
• Other safety-related items on the body, chassis or engine

It isn't a general condition report. Transport Victoria is clear that the inspection doesn't tell you whether a car is mechanically reliable. Non-safety items such as the aircon, electric windows and rear wiper aren't part of it. Paint, upholstery and the infotainment screen don't count either.

Common reasons cars fail

Most fails come down to a handful of predictable items:

• Tyres: tread worn below 1.5 mm in the main grooves, tread wear indicators touching the road, or cuts and bulges in the sidewall.
• Brakes: pads or rotors worn thin, fluid leaks, or a handbrake that doesn't hold the car.
• Windscreen: chips or cracks in the area the wipers sweep that affect the driver's view, and worn or split wiper blades.
• Lights: a blown globe on a brake light, indicator, headlight or number plate light, or a cracked lens.
• Steering and suspension: play in the steering, worn joints or bushes, and leaking shock absorbers.
• Leaks, seatbelts and rust: oil or fluid leaks, frayed belts or buckles that don't latch, and rust in structural areas.

Each of these is usually an easy fix. The problem is finding out about them for the first time with a buyer waiting.

A ten-minute check before you book

You can catch several common fail points yourself on the driveway:

• Walk around the car with someone pressing the brake pedal and working the lights and indicators.
• Look at each tyre's tread wear indicators and check the sidewalls for damage. Fine cracks are often heat and age damage (see how Melbourne heat affects your tyres).
• Run the wipers and washers, and look along the windscreen for chips in front of the driver.
• Pull every seatbelt out fully, let it retract, and click it into the buckle.
• Check the ground under where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid spots.

Anything you find can be fixed before the inspection, which can save a re-test.

When to book it before you list

Timing matters because the certificate has a short life. Transport Victoria says an RWC is current for 30 days from when it's issued. It can be used for a transfer as long as it's within that window. If you book weeks before you advertise and the car is slow to sell, the certificate can expire before the buyer transfers the registration. You'd then need a new one.

A good plan is to have the car looked over, and any obvious problems fixed, before you take your sale photos. Then book the roadworthy inspection itself close to when you expect to sell, so the certificate is fresh when a buyer is ready. Keep in mind that the certificate only shows the car met the standard on the day. A brake globe that blows a week later still needs fixing.

What happens if your car doesn't pass

If the vehicle doesn't meet the standard, the tester gives you a clear list of what needs fixing to pass. Transport Victoria says you then have 14 days to fix those items and have the car checked again. After that, you'll need a new test. You can have the repairs done and the re-test arranged, or take the list elsewhere for quotes.

Either way, a certificate is only issued once the vehicle meets the standard, and that's what gives a buyer confidence in the sale. If brakes or tyres are on the list, our brake and suspension repairs and tyre replacements are done in the same workshop.

Common questions

How long is a roadworthy certificate valid in Victoria?

Transport Victoria says an RWC is current for 30 days from when it's issued, and it can be used for a transfer within that window. If the car takes longer to sell and the certificate expires before the buyer transfers the registration, you'll need a new one. Book it close to your sale date.

What happens if my car fails the roadworthy?

The tester gives you a list of what needs fixing to pass. You then have 14 days to fix those items and have the car checked again, and after that a new test is needed. A certificate is only issued once the vehicle meets the standard, so fix the list before you sell.

Does a roadworthy check the engine or the aircon?

Only where safety is involved. An RWC covers safety items, and Transport Victoria says it doesn't tell you whether a car is mechanically reliable. The aircon, electric windows, rear wiper, paint and upholstery aren't part of it. Oil or fluid leaks and other safety-related items on the engine are still checked.

Getting ready to list your car? Our roadworthy certificate service arranges your assessment with licensed vehicle testers, and it can often be done the same day, so you're not chasing anyone yourself. Tell us your planned sale date when you book a service, or call us on 03 8774 5785.