A roadworthy certificate is a method through which the government ensures that there are no poorly maintained vehicles on the road. In the event your vehicle is issued with a vehicle defect notice or a notice of unworthiness, you will have to get it cleared by submitting a roadworthy certificate after you get the repairs done. Also, in the event of selling a car or registering a used car, you will require a roadworthy certificate.
The roadworthy certificate is immensely important while transferring a vehicle from one place to another. This certificate is a kind of certification that your car is fit enough to be driven on the road. This certification is given after various tests are conducted. Every city has varying rules for it but the base line is the same for all. For every car owner, it is important to get a detailed knowledge of the process of getting the roadworthy certificate before you apply to get it as the more information you have, the better the service you can get for your car. It is essential that you know the role you play as a car owner while getting the certificate. So here are all the details you need to know:
- The place which can issue an authentic roadworthy certificate: The rules in each city regarding issuing this certificate differ from each other. So, before you apply for one, you need to know the details of the regulations for the place you stay at. Also, the vehicle needs to pass the inspection which is done by a licensed vehicle tester. There are several garages and service stations qualified for such testing and inspection. Beware of fakes here. You can use the internet to look up the names of garages with qualified testers.
- The costing of the roadworthy certificate: The pricing of this certification is varying. The cost depends on the age, condition and the type of the vehicle. The more the age of the vehicle, the higher is the price. You can check online for an estimate on various sites to ensure that you are not being overcharged.
- The period of validity: The roadworthy certificate is something that will expire after a period of time. Generally, the period is of 30 days from the date of issue. So, if you are planning to sell or get your car re-registered, you may want to time the certification appointment accordingly. If the certificate lapses, you will have to spend money again to get it made again.
- The parts of the car inspected: The sections that are covered may vary according to the regulation of a particular state. But the basic sections include wheels and tyres, seats, seatbelts and airbags, steering, suspension, brakes, differential, vehicle structure, lights and reflectors, engine and chassis, and other safety items the car is equipped with. In case the car fails the test, you need to wait for a week with the rejection report. Within that week, you need to repair the it and give it to the vehicle tester for re-examination. In case you fail to do so, you need to re-apply for a fresh inspection.
There are several factors that can ensure a sure shot failure of the roadworthy certification. The most common ones are listed below:
- Tinted windows
- Absence of or damaged suspension bushings
- Minute flaws in power steering
- Worn out tyres
- Defective braking system or hydraulic system
Ensure your car does not have these flaws to reduce the chances of your car failing the test. The roadworthy certificate can increase the resale of your car manifold. So, you should not ignore this process while selling your car.