Is your ride still roadworthy, or is it time to upgrade? Here are 8 signs that determine the safety of your car’s condition.

Is your 'ride or die’ roadworthy or is it time to upgrade? Your safety and that of other road users is paramount.

The government's Road Traffic Report Calendar reveals that 10% of major crashes are caused by unroadworthy vehicles, and shockingly, more than half a million vehicles on South African roads would fail a roadworthy test.

 

We’ve compiled a list of the necessary inspections required for a vehicle to pass the roadworthy test:

Identification

  • The engine and VIN number must match those on the registration document.
  • There should be no signs of tampering on any of the vehicle identifiers.
  • If the engine has been changed, all associated requirements (such as police clearance) must be in place.

Bodywork

  • The car body and chassis must be free of rust or damage.
  • The body must be free of damage that could cause injury to pedestrians or cyclists.
  • All doors must be easy to open from the inside and the outside.
  • All doors must be firmly attached to their hinges.
  • Interior door panels must be in place and in good condition.

Interior

  • The odometer and speedometer must be in working order.
  • All seatbelts must be in working order.
  • The hooter must be in working order.
  • Seats must be secure and free of damage.

Lights

  • All lights and indicators must be in good working order.
  • All lights must be securely fitted, with no ingress of water.
  • Both low and high beam functions must be tested, as well as the level of the beams.

Windscreen & Windows

  • The windscreen must be free of cracks.
  • All windows designed to open must be able to open and close.
  • Windscreen wipers must be operational and in good condition.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

  • Tyres and wheels must be the correct size.
  • Tyres and wheels must fall within manufacturer specifications.
  • All tyres (including the spare tyre) must have a tread of at least 1,6 mm deep.
  • Wheel bearings must run smoothly.
  • Brakes on all wheels must be in good working order.
  • The parking brake must be in good working order.
  • Brake discs must be in good working order and should not be grooved or concave.
  • There should be no leaks from the hydraulic system.

Suspension

  • Shock absorbers must be in good working order, with no leaks.
  • Kingpins, control arms, and anti-roll bars must be secure.
  • The chassis must not show any signs of weakness or damage.
  • The undercarriage must be free of rust and leaks.
  • The steering system must be in good working order.
  • The wheel alignment must be within specification.

Engine & Transmission

  • The engine compartment should be free from damage and leaks.
  • Engine and transmission mountings must be intact.
  • The battery should be secured with the required number of clamps.
  • The battery should be clean, and free of cracks or leaks.
  • There may be no loose or damaged wiring.
  • Exhaust mountings must be secure.
  • No excessive smoke may be emitted from the exhaust.
  • The transmission must be in good working order.

 

In South Africa, a roadworthy certificate is mandatory for both new and used cars sold. It's not only necessary when selling your car, but also essential to ensure that it's safe for driving purposes. In addition to this, many testing centres provide vehicle inspections that allow you to assess the condition of your car and have peace of mind before embarking on a long journey.

By ensuring that your vehicle is roadworthy, you can contribute to reducing the number of unsafe cars on South African roads.

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