Getting a roadworthy inspection can be a nerve-wracking experience — especially when you’re selling a vehicle, working against a registration deadline, or trying to finalise a private sale that’s already in progress. At Buraq Automotive, our car service in Lynbrook team carries out roadworthy inspections every week, and one of the most common questions we hear from customers beforehand is exactly this one: what actually happens if the car doesn’t pass? The good news is that a failed inspection is rarely the end of the road. Understanding the process clearly before you go in removes a lot of the anxiety and helps you plan the next steps calmly and efficiently.
What a Failed Roadworthy Actually Means
First, it is worth understanding what a roadworthy failure actually represents. A failed inspection does not mean your vehicle is written off, worthless, or beyond repair. It means that on the specific date of the assessment, one or more components did not meet the minimum safety standards set by VicRoads. These can range from genuinely significant issues — severely worn brake rotors, cracked windscreens in the driver’s sightline, or compromised structural integrity — through to relatively minor items like a blown indicator globe, a windscreen wiper that doesn’t park correctly, or a tyre that has worn below the minimum legal tread depth.
The severity of the defects varies enormously from vehicle to vehicle. Some cars fail on a single minor item that takes 20 minutes to fix. Others have multiple defects across different systems that require more involved repair work. Either way, a failed inspection is a starting point for a solution, not a dead end.
What You Receive After a Failed Inspection
When a vehicle does not pass a roadworthy inspection in Victoria, the Licensed Vehicle Tester is required to issue a formal defect notice. This document lists every item that failed to meet the VicRoads standard, with a clear description of each defect and the specific safety requirement it relates to. The defect notice is not an invoice — it is a technical document that tells you exactly what needs to be fixed before the vehicle can be re-inspected and a certificate issued.
At Buraq Automotive, we walk customers through the defect notice in plain language before they leave. We don’t hand you a list of codes and send you on your way — we explain what each item means, why it matters from a safety perspective, and what the repair options are. You leave understanding exactly where your vehicle stands, not confused or overwhelmed by technical language.
Do You Have to Get the Repairs Done at the Same Workshop?
This is one of the most important things to understand about the Victorian RWC process: you are under absolutely no obligation to have the repairs carried out at the workshop that issued the defect notice. The defect notice is yours to take wherever you choose. You can have the repairs done at any licensed mechanic, a friend’s workshop, or any other automotive specialist — and then return to us for the re-inspection.
This separation between the inspection decision and the repair decision is something we genuinely believe in. A workshop that pressures you into using their repair services immediately after failing your vehicle is exploiting a vulnerable moment, and it’s not how we operate. We issue the defect notice, explain what’s needed, quote separately and transparently for any repair work we’re able to carry out, and leave the decision entirely with you.
Getting Repairs Done and Re-Inspected Efficiently
Once the defects listed on your notice have been addressed, the vehicle needs to be re-inspected by the same Licensed Vehicle Tester who issued the original notice — or by another authorised tester if returning to the original location isn’t practical. The re-inspection focuses specifically on the items listed in the defect notice, confirming that each one has been correctly resolved.
At Buraq Automotive, because we are both the inspection centre and a fully equipped mechanical workshop, most defects can be repaired and re-inspected within the same visit. If you approve the repair work on the day of the initial inspection, we carry out the repairs immediately, re-inspect the vehicle, and in the majority of cases issue the roadworthy certificate before you leave. This same-day turnaround is particularly valuable when you are working against a sale deadline or a registration renewal date.
How Long Do You Have to Fix the Defects?
Victoria does not impose a fixed deadline on how long you have to repair the defects listed in your notice. However, there is an important practical consideration: the roadworthy certificate itself, once issued, is only valid for 30 days. This means that if you take several weeks to arrange and complete the repairs, then return for a re-inspection, and then the sale or registration transfer takes additional time to finalise, you may find yourself approaching or exceeding the 30-day window.
If the certificate expires before the transaction is completed, a brand new inspection is required — not just a re-inspection of the previously failed items. Planning ahead and acting promptly on defects is always advisable, particularly when a sale is already in progress.
Roadworthy Certificate — The Most Common Reasons Vehicles Fail
Understanding the most frequent failure points helps you assess your vehicle’s likely condition before booking an inspection. The items that most commonly appear on Victorian roadworthy defect notices include:
Tyres below minimum tread depth. The legal minimum in Victoria is 1.5mm of tread depth across the full width of the tyre’s contact surface. Many vehicles come in with tyres that appear visually acceptable but measure below this threshold when tested properly.
Brake pads and rotors below minimum thickness. Brakes are one of the most scrutinised components during a Victorian RWC. Both pad thickness and rotor minimum thickness measurements are taken precisely — not just assessed visually.
Windscreen chips and cracks. A chip or crack in the driver’s direct sightline has a very low tolerance. Cracks that have propagated across the glass, or chips that distort vision, almost always trigger a defect.
Lights not functioning correctly. A single blown globe — including a third brake light, a rear indicator, or a number plate light — is sufficient to fail an inspection. All light circuits are individually tested during the assessment.
Suspension and steering wear. Ball joints, tie rod ends, and shock absorbers are tested for play and function. These components wear gradually and are often more advanced than the driver realises.
Fluid leaks. Active leaks of engine oil, brake fluid, coolant or fuel are assessed individually. A leak that drips onto exhaust components or contaminates brake hardware is treated as a genuine safety risk.
Seatbelt faults. A seatbelt that doesn’t retract properly, has frayed webbing, or doesn’t lock under simulated load conditions will appear on the defect notice.
What If the Repairs Are Going to Cost More Than the Car Is Worth?
This is a legitimate concern, particularly with older vehicles or those that have been off the road for an extended period. If the defect notice reveals issues whose repair cost exceeds the vehicle’s realistic market value, you have options worth considering.
You can sell the vehicle as an unregistered vehicle — in which case a roadworthy certificate is not legally required, but the sale price should reflect the unregistered and un-roadworthy status clearly. You can sell to a licensed motor car trader who will purchase the vehicle as-is. Or you can sell to a wrecker for parts, again without an RWC requirement. None of these options require the repairs to be completed first, but they do require transparency with the buyer about the vehicle’s condition and legal status.
A Failed Inspection Is Just the Beginning of a Solution
The right way to think about a failed roadworthy inspection is as an accurate, useful piece of information rather than a verdict. You now know exactly what your vehicle needs to meet Victoria’s safety standard, who is responsible for addressing it, and what your options are for moving forward. That clarity has real value — both for your own decision-making and for any transaction you’re trying to complete.
Book Your Roadworthy Certificate Inspection Today
Whether you’re preparing for a vehicle sale, re-registering a car that’s been off the road, or simply want to know where your vehicle stands before committing to anything, Buraq Automotive is ready to help. We are a VicRoads-authorised Licensed Vehicle Testing station (LVMT Licence AUR30612), open Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Call us on 0434 416 207 to book your roadworthy certificate inspection, or book online. Our workshop is located at 7 Wally Place, Lynbrook VIC 3975 — a short drive from Dandenong South, Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Hampton Park, Hallam and surrounding suburbs. Same-day RWC bookings are regularly available — call early to secure your slot.
