Got a Queensland Roadworthy inspection coming up? There are a few simple things you can look over before Mossy arrives.
This isn't a DIY Roadworthy test and it can't tell you whether the vehicle will pass. But checking the obvious things you can safely see may help you spot something that needs attention before the inspection.
Important: This is only a simple preparation checklist. A vehicle is assessed against the applicable Queensland inspection criteria during the actual Safety Certificate inspection, so ticking these boxes does not guarantee that a vehicle will pass.
You don't need to know how to inspect a car to spot some of the obvious things that may need attention. A quick walk around the vehicle can help you identify visible or known problems before your appointment.
Lights are part of a Queensland Safety Certificate inspection, so this is one of the easiest things to look over before your appointment.
Turn your lights on and check that they are operating.
Ask someone to help you check lights that are easier to see from outside the vehicle.
If you already know a light isn't working correctly, get it looked at before the inspection.
Tyres are another important inspection area. You don't need to try to perform the inspection yourself — just have a sensible look for anything obviously wrong.
Look for obvious excessive wear.
Check for visible cuts, bulges or other tyre damage.
If a tyre looks questionable, have it checked rather than assuming it will be okay.
Windscreen condition is included in the inspection. Before the appointment, take a proper look at the glass instead of waiting for Mossy to point out visible damage.
Look for obvious cracks, chips or other damage.
Check that you have clear visibility through the glass.
If you already know the windscreen is damaged, consider having it assessed before the Roadworthy.
Body rust and damage are also part of the Safety Certificate inspection. That doesn't mean every scratch or little dent is automatically a problem.
Walk around the vehicle and look for significant visible damage.
Take note of obvious rust rather than assuming it is purely cosmetic.
If you're concerned about damage, have it looked at before your appointment.
If you've known for weeks that a light isn't working, a tyre is badly worn or the windscreen has damage, getting it checked beforehand can make the Roadworthy process much easier.
You don't need to crawl underneath the vehicle, dismantle anything or try to decide whether a component legally complies. This checklist is simply about spotting obvious things before the formal inspection. The actual Safety Certificate result is based on the applicable Queensland inspection requirements.
Brakes, steering and suspension are all important parts of a Queensland Safety Certificate inspection.
But preparing for your Roadworthy doesn't mean getting underneath the vehicle or trying to decide whether these components meet the required standards yourself.
The useful thing you can do beforehand is simple: don't ignore a problem you already know about. If you've noticed something concerning with the vehicle, have it properly looked at before the Roadworthy.
Leave the formal assessment to the approved examiner. Your pre-inspection checklist is simply about noticing obvious or already-known issues before the appointment.
Brakes form part of the Safety Certificate inspection and are assessed against the applicable inspection requirements. This isn't something you need to try to certify yourself before Mossy arrives.
Before the inspection: if you're already aware of a braking problem, have it properly assessed rather than ignoring it.
Steering is also included in Queensland's Safety Certificate inspection. The formal inspection checks the applicable requirements rather than relying on how the vehicle simply feels to the owner.
Before the inspection: if you already know there is a steering issue, get it looked at before your appointment.
Suspension is another inspection area. Relevant components are assessed during the formal Roadworthy against the applicable Queensland requirements.
Before the inspection: don't crawl underneath trying to inspect it yourself. Have any already-known suspension concerns properly checked.
Check the easy, obvious things you can safely look at and deal with any problems you already know about. Mossy's job is to carry out the Safety Certificate inspection and assess the vehicle against the applicable inspection requirements.
Queensland identifies brakes, steering and suspension among the vehicle safety areas covered during Safety Certificate inspections. Detailed criteria are contained in the applicable Vehicle Inspection Manual.
View Queensland Inspection Manuals →You've checked the obvious things and your Roadworthy is booked. The last step is simply making sure Mossy can properly access the vehicle when he arrives.
Make sure the vehicle being inspected is available at the agreed location and ready when Mossy arrives. If plans change, let Mossy know as early as possible.
Make sure Mossy has access to the vehicle keys. If someone else will be there on your behalf, make sure they know where the keys are and that an inspection has been booked.
Because Mossy's is mobile, the inspection is carried out where the vehicle is located at an agreed suitable location. Make sure Mossy can safely and reasonably access the vehicle.
Where possible, avoid having the vehicle boxed tightly between other cars or somewhere that makes access difficult. A little preparation can make inspection day much smoother.
Cars get moved, work schedules change and things happen. If the vehicle won't be at the agreed location or there's an access issue, give Mossy a call so it can be sorted before he heads out.
The goal is simply to have the correct vehicle, keys and reasonable access ready at the agreed location. The actual Roadworthy inspection is Mossy's job.
Once Mossy has completed the inspection, you'll know whether the vehicle meets the applicable Safety Certificate requirements or whether something needs to be addressed first.
If the vehicle meets the applicable inspection requirements, the Safety Certificate can be issued and you can move on with whatever registration, transfer or vehicle process you need it for.
If the vehicle doesn't meet the applicable requirements, you'll be told what defects need to be addressed before a Safety Certificate can be issued.
We've covered the common inspection issues, inspection report and reinspection process in a separate Mossy's Guide so this checklist can stay focused on preparing your vehicle.
A few useful things to know before your Queensland Safety Certificate inspection.
No. This checklist is simply designed to help you notice obvious or already-known issues before the appointment.
The actual result depends on the vehicle meeting the applicable Queensland inspection requirements when Mossy carries out the formal inspection.
If you already know there is a problem with something relevant to the vehicle's safety, it's worth having it properly looked at before the Roadworthy rather than hoping it won't matter.
No. This guide isn't asking you to perform your own Roadworthy inspection.
Stick to the simple things you can safely look over and leave the formal inspection of the vehicle to Mossy.
No. A Queensland Safety Certificate has a different purpose from a comprehensive mechanical inspection.
If you're considering buying a used vehicle and want additional information about its condition, you can read about Mossy's Pre-Purchase Inspections →
Yes. Mossy's provides mobile vehicle inspections across the Gold Coast, with inspections arranged at an agreed suitable vehicle location.
Looking for information about failed inspections, defects or what happens next? We've covered that separately so this guide can stay focused on getting ready for inspection day.
Read What Fails a Roadworthy →Mossy's provides mobile Queensland Safety Certificate inspections across the Gold Coast. Tell us what vehicle you need inspected, where it's located and your preferred day, and we'll get back to you to organise the booking.
Want more straightforward vehicle information? Head back to Mossy's Guides for Roadworthy, Pre-Purchase, COI, buying and selling guides.
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