Roadworthy Certificate Result and Full Logbook Service for Private Sale

Ltransplanted on 03/03/2023 - 21:02
Last edited 04/03/2023 - 11:41 by 1 other user

Is it really expected to have sudden RWC findings that did not show in logbook service done 3 months ago?

We're selling our car, used once a week for groceries, no issues on tyres and brake discs just 3 months ago, then after RWC so many findings like minor rust on disc rotor that needs replacing, tyre depth, windshield wipers, air filters and some small stuff that the motorshop wants to fix, which will set us back a grand.

They said it's okay if I use the car, but not to sell. How is that makes sense, my life is not worthy and the new owner is?

Automotive

Comments

  • SF3 on 03/03/2023 - 21:11
    +8

    stuff that the motorshop wants to fix

    Sounds like they are taking you for a ride.

    • stirlo on 03/03/2023 - 21:15
      -1

      I doubt it. Tyre tread depth is super easy to verify yourself. For the rotor there are strict limits. When I had my roadworthy done he pulled out callipers in front of me and showed me that I was 1mm to far worn. This was on a 4yo car that had done only 60,000km so this wear can happen early in a cars life.

      • Gunnar on 03/03/2023 - 22:01
        +2

        60k out of a set of brakes is decent life

        • PVA on 03/03/2023 - 22:53
          +1

          Brakes maybe, but not rotors to be replaced.

        • Nugs on 04/03/2023 - 10:20

          No. Our Rodeo unchanged brakes approaching 150000km
          .

          • MS Paint on 04/03/2023 - 11:52
            +2

            @Nugs: 240k on mine. Original pads and discs. Still heaps of life left.
            Previous car I got 370k with original pads and discs. All highway. Mostly engine braking with a manual. Original clutch also. Probably would have got 500k if it wasn't for some bozo T-Boning me.

            • Nugs on 04/03/2023 - 12:07

              @MS Paint: I'd like a 240K coupe
              .

              • MS Paint on 04/03/2023 - 12:22

                @Nugs: I parted one of those many many years ago in an attempt to make my 1600 better. D'oh. Both worth a fortune these days. Oh well.

                • Gunnar on 04/03/2023 - 19:07
                  +1

                  @MS Paint: Someone I know has two factory 2-seater 260zs; one in show condition, the other a track car that could easily be road registered

  • stirlo on 03/03/2023 - 21:12
    +1

    A roadworthy has different requirements to a logbook service. For a logbook service they are just replacing the oil and consumables and checking the car has no major faults.
    For a roadworthy are much more in depth checks that must be completed and the mechanic is legally liable if they sign a car as roadworthy when its not.

    How would you have felt if you took the car in for a logbook service and they told you you needed to spend a grand and replace the disc rotor, tyres and wipers?

    You'd probably turn around and ask is all that really necessary and try to find a way to avoid doing it all at once. They'll say it isn't essential as none of those things immediately cause issues so you can drive out of there without doing them if you want. For a roadworthy it is the opposite, everything has to be up to standard at that moment so you'll end up paying for it.

    • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 21:31

      Im thinking of bringing the car to a different motorshop and just compare the findings, can i do this, or is my pending RWC linked to a certain database thats accesible to all motorshop?

      • stirlo on 03/03/2023 - 21:36

        You profile doesn't say what state you are in. When I had mine done in Victoria last year it was all entered into the VicRoads system so I assume shared. That said if another shop measures the rotors or tread in a different spot (I doubt this is possible as wear is normally even) and thinks it's okay I assume they'd be able to sign off and say that those items are now acceptable.

        But I am not a mechanic, just someone who had a roadworthy done somewhat recently so can't say definitely.

        • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 21:49

          im in gold coast, do you think i should take a second opinion or is it networked like the transport department?

  • Tee Rex Arms on 03/03/2023 - 21:30
    +2

    Set you back a grandmother is pretty steep

  • MS Paint on 03/03/2023 - 21:33

    air filters

    A roadworthy item?

    minor rust on disc rotor

    Perform a few 100-0 test runs to clear the rust

    • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 21:41

      yes the report says "a bit of rust on rotor disc", whats the measure of a bit of rust, like will it fail the brakes?

      • stirlo on 03/03/2023 - 21:45
        +3

        Muzeeb has a good point. "a bit of rust" should not be a roadworthy issue. They need to measure the amount of wear and any damage/warping to the rotors but rust where the brake pad doesn't touch should not be an issue.

      • Gunnar on 03/03/2023 - 22:04
        +1

        Did you wash your car before taking it down and didn’t brake much?

        Surface rust is normal on rotors after you’ve washed it or if it’s damp and you haven’t used the car in a while.

        Use it more and it will go away. Do a few hard stops. If it is the type of rust I’m thinking of you’re being taken for a ride

        • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 22:08

          its park on the road in the sun all week, just use once a week, it rained hard this week so could that be the cause? whats the minimum thickness of brake discs for a honda hatchback 2015?

          • Gunnar on 03/03/2023 - 22:18
            +1

            @transplanted: That’s probably the cause of your rust. Drive your car. Find a safe spot at a decent time of day and do some hard stops (let the ABS kick in), you don’t need to be going super fast but you need to stop hard.l and donor a few times.

            Not sure about the minimum sorry. When did you last have your brakes done? How many km’s ago? And do you do lots of freeway or city driving?

      • ColtNoir on 04/03/2023 - 14:18

        If you live near the coast it will happen. My brand new car had it after a few months.

        You drive it and as you brake it cleans it off.

        You know when they make a big deal about wipers, they're snake oil salesmen.

  • mskeggs on 03/03/2023 - 21:41
    -4

    How is that makes sense, my life is not worthy and the new owner is?

    I hate this attitude. You can decide if your want to risk worn tires, wipers, brakes. You don’t get to decide for the buyer if you are selling with RWC.
    The person deciding the life isn’t worth it is you, not the mechanic.

    • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 21:43

      so the mechanic says its okay for me to drive, hows that not the mechanic?

      • cloudy on 03/03/2023 - 22:43
        -1

        Is it not you who is deciding to drive and not the mechanic?

        I mean, you turn the key and step on the accelerator right?

      • mskeggs on 04/03/2023 - 07:31
        -1

        The mechanic has told you what is required for your life and the RWC. You're here posting you don't want to pay.
        That is you deciding the mechanic is wrong and since it is your life you will take the chance.

  • randomusername2017 on 03/03/2023 - 22:02

    minor rust on disc rotor that needs replacing

    What's the point of removing the rust then replacing it?
    One fee or do you pay both ways?

  • brendanm on 03/03/2023 - 22:18
    +4

    Minor rust on a rotor is not a roadworthy item, they all get minor rust. An air filter is not a roadworthy item.

    You said tread depth and wipers are a problem. Are the tyres worn? Do the wipers work properly?

    What sort of vehicle is this? I may be able to recommend a mobile guy who is very fair.

    • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 22:36

      hatchback honda, but can another RWC be done when the first is in progress? Brake pads replaced around July 2021. Used once a week to travel to Brisbane, wipers work, no problem at all, ive seen tyres worse than mine, thats why im kinda surprise they said it needs replacement, theres still thread on them

      • brendanm on 03/03/2023 - 22:57

        Year? "I've seen tyres worse than mine" is not exactly a great metric for judging the roadworthiness. Did the mechanic lodge the failure of the roadworthy with Qld transport?

        • transplanted on 03/03/2023 - 23:06

          2015

          not sure if lodged, i was just told 14 days to have them requirements satisfied for the rwc.

          can i bring that to another local mechanic for a second test?

          • dcep on 04/03/2023 - 01:34
            +3

            @transplanted: The 14 days is the time limit to return your car back to the same RWC mechanic for reinspection on list of defects stated within the initial RWC report at a reduced fee or no cost, without the need to re-do a whole new RWC inspection.

            Yes, you can go to other places for another RWC for how-many-ever times you like.

            Try to find a mobile-RWC that comes to you and make sure they don't run a garage shop elsewhere.

  • brosk1s on 03/03/2023 - 23:06
    +3

    You can view the full list of RWC items here

    Some comments about the alleged defects that you have given examples on:

    Minor rust on disc rotor that needs replacing

    Is this how they worded it exactly? Minor rust on the surface is not a problem (and probably expected if its stored outside and only driven once a week) and you can wear it off by braking as you drive. However if the "disc rotor … needs replacing" e.g. it is warped beyond repair or doesn't meet the required remaining thickness then it does become a RWC item (Item 8.2d). As you mentioned the last brake service only involved replacing the pads in July 2021, it is possible that your discs are much older and more worn.

    Tyre depth

    Tyre depth is a part of the RWC checklist (Item 7.3h), tyres have tread wear indicators built into the tread and its easy to check if they are worn beyond legal limits or not. It does not matter if you have "seen tyres worse than mine, that's why I'm kinda surprise they said it needs replacement, there is still tread on them". If they do not have 1.5mm of tread remaining, they must be replaced.

    Windshield wipers

    Windshield wipers are part of the RWC checklist (Item 3.3b), they are relatively cheap to buy from car parts stores (Brick & Mortar: SupercheapAuto, Repco or Online: Sparesbox) and easy to install yourself.

    Air filters

    I can't see where any type of air filter whether it is an intake filter or a cabin air filter is mentioned in the inspection manual.

    Maybe someone else can comment on whether QLD RWC inspection stations share information or not, but if you choose to get a second opinion from another inspection station you will pay $90 again only to potentially be told the same things regarding the most expensive RWC defects (brakes and tyres).

    Edit: Regarding the "they said it's okay if I use the car, but not to sell. How is that makes sense, my life is not worthy and the new owner is?", sellers are required to provide a RWC when disposing of a registered vehicle. Sellers/owners are not required to pass the RWC inspection through an authorised inspector everytime you drive, provided that you still have a current rego.

    • transplanted on 04/03/2023 - 11:16

      i will attach photo shortly

  • pegaxs on 03/03/2023 - 23:54
    +2

    Yeah, they all pull this shit. Had a car that was 3 years old and 17,000ish km on it and they wanted brakes, pads, all 4 tyres, new windscreen, numerous oil leaks… it had none of these issues, but weirdly enough, they offered to do all this stuff for me and sent me a quote for the work… I got the RWC done elsewhere.

  • brad1-8tsi on 04/03/2023 - 07:47
    +3

    minor rust on disc rotor that needs replacing, tyre depth, windshield wipers, air filters

    It sounds like they've over-stepped their boundaries in regards to what a RWC is.

    Rust on a disc rotor isn't a roadworthy item, nor is the pad thickness. The vehicle has to pass the test with the brake machine. They either pass or they don't. At least in NSW anyway.

    Tyre depth you can check yourself. More than 1.5mm over the entire width of the tyre is required. There are tread wear indicators built into the tyre tread.

    Wiper blades need to be visually intact and clean the screen without lines or dead spots.

    An air filter is not a RWC item.

    I'd report them to the RMS if the check was in NSW. I know when I was in the trade one of our guys lost his inspection licence for 12 months because he started using rego checks as a safety check.

    • brosk1s on 04/03/2023 - 12:00
      +1

      The process does vary between states, as per the eSafety Check Manual as long as it passes the brake test its fine, but the same is not the case for the QLD Light Vehicle Inspection Manual which has many more items.

      In QLD, the QLVIM must be used when

      The QLVIM applies to the assessment of light vehicles, light trailers and L-Group vehicles, which must have a safety
      inspection for the purpose of … transferring a vehicle to another person

      Which applies to OP in this post if he wants to sell the car.

      There are also states in Australia (e.g. South Australia) where you wouldn't need an annual safety inspection in most cases to begin with, so the process really does vary in terms of difficulty depending on where you live.

    • transplanted on 04/03/2023 - 18:15

      ive checked the rotor its similar to this one (see upper square)
      but the surface where that friction on brakes is happening is clear, no rust, but the motorshop only pointed to that visible rust on the edge as "A BIT OF RUST" but they want me to have the discs replaced for the issuance of RWC

      https://www.google.com/search?q=rotor+with+rust&oq=rotor+wit…

      • brad1-8tsi on 05/03/2023 - 14:18
        +1

        go elsewhere

  • munecito on 04/03/2023 - 08:11

    With tyres uneven what can also make your fail, is any part of the thread is under the limit then the tyre is done. Even if it looks new in the other edge.

  • barge-in hunter on 04/03/2023 - 11:30

    I think to be fair, you have to realise that “it would be fine if you kept it” falls under the old “she’ll be right mate” attitude.

    If any of these items are actually below the rwc threshold, then your car is technically unroadworthy - whether you keep it or sell it. Honestly that means most cars on the road are “unroadworthy” and are likely less safe, but how much less safe is the judgement call a lot of mechanics will present you with at a service. I take “You’ll probably need your brakes done next service” to mean “they’re not roadworthy but I think they’re probably safe for a while”.

    Definitely worth getting a second rwc check though OP - just be aware that they might call out the same things (minus air filter etc)

  • doctordv8 on 04/03/2023 - 15:31
    +3

    30 years of doing Roadies, so I speak from experience, in the NT and Qld.

    Anything that is a Roadworthiness issue should have been brought to your attention during every service, especially from 3 months ago. It is then you who can make informed decisions to maintain your vehicle to your budget before it becomes UnRoadworthy and therefor maintain your safety and you are in control of the $$.

    The explanation of Rotor Rust etc is too airy fairy, and I feel the Service people are not acting in your best interests, during Service or Roadworthiness check.

    Go to Qld Transport, get a Real Roadworthy, no ifs, no buts, and no doubts. This negates any other RW check history(dead after 14 days anyhow), and you know 100% this is legit.

    The buyer will have a higher regard to this and make your car and price stronger as a saleable item. Leave that money hungry Workshop in your dust.

    Any mechanic doing any work on any vehicle and sees something suspect should report it to the owner/driver. No excuses. See it / report it.

    • transplanted on 04/03/2023 - 18:25

      Thanks, Ive booked tyre replacements and after that another RWC check by another independent mechanic on the same day. If the result on the discs are the same, I would take my hats off the first motorshop and stick with them permanently for all my car services moving forward. Im just not totally convinced about the rotor thing, i let them replaced the drive belt because they said on the full log service report that "Should be fixed soon. minor cracking"
      but the rotor is something else not shown on the logbook service, so im curious and will pay extra for rwc just to remove my doubts. do you think its okay to have RWC by 2 different mechanics on the same week, or do they share info?

  • Drifta on 04/03/2023 - 19:24
    +3

    You can do a Rwc multiple times with no risk. Will just cost you the Rwc fee.

    Tyre tread must not be below the wear indicator.. It's a rubber line in the tyre at about 2mm depth.

    Rotors you can feel if worn with your fingernails but even than it's not a Rwc issue unless really bad. More than 1-2mm wear

    Air filter is not a Rwc issue but a servicing issue.

    Wiper blades are a common issue as they dry up. You can get these replaced at super cheap auto or another car shop pretty easily and cheaply.

    • transplanted on 06/03/2023 - 16:14
      +2

      UPDATE:
      passed RWC, I pointed out that rotor, mechanic said it's not issue, he"s very impressed with the test drive.
      new tyres, wipers

      Thanks for all the info, didnt know i can get another rwc from another honest mechanic.

      • Drifta on 06/03/2023 - 19:51
        +2

        Glad it worked out. Unfortunately many mechanics use Rwc to prey on desperate unknowing people to gouge extra services. Often not even doing what they charge for.

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