The difference between a roadworthy certificate and a pre-purchase car inspection
A roadworthy certificate and a pre-purchase car inspection serve different purposes and are conducted at different stages of a vehicle's life.
Roadworthy Certificate (RWC)
A roadworthy certificate, also known as a safety certificate or roadworthiness certificate, is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. It is typically issued by specifically licensed fixed site workshop mechanics or government-approved inspection stations. The purpose of this certificate is to ensure that a vehicle meets the minimum safety standards and is roadworthy at the time of inspection. It checks key safety components such as brakes, tires, lights, steering, and suspension. However, a roadworthy certificate does not assess the overall condition or mechanical reliability of the vehicle comprehensively.
Pre-purchase Car Inspection
A pre-purchase car inspection is a comprehensive examination of a used vehicle conducted by a qualified mechanic. Unlike a roadworthy certificate, it is not a legal requirement but a voluntary service sought by potential buyers before finalizing a purchase. The inspection aims to assess the overall condition, mechanical performance, and any potential issues of the vehicle. It includes a detailed examination of the engine, transmission, suspension, exhaust system, electrical components, and more. The goal is to provide the buyer with a clear understanding of the car's condition, any existing problems, and potential repair costs, allowing them to make an informed decision about the purchase.
For example, a relatively cheap problem like a bald tyre or cracked windshield deem a vehicle unroadworthy however a more costly issue like a fuel injector fault, a noisy differential or a water pump failure do not deem a vehicle unroadworthy but do present far more serious problems. Just remember, a roadworthy certificate does not present the same condition report that a thorough pre-purchase vehicle inspection does.
In summary, a roadworthy certificate focuses on the minimum safety requirements to be legally driven on the road at the time of inspection, while a pre-purchase car inspection provides a more thorough assessment of the vehicle's overall condition and mechanical reliability before a buyer commits to the purchase. Both play important roles in ensuring the safety and satisfaction of used car buyers, but a pre-purchase inspection offers more comprehensive insights for the buyer's peace of mind.
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We understand that the used car market can move extremely quickly. Seller’s can be difficult for our team to organise an inspection with or worse, they may sell the vehicle to another buyer before allowing our Carinspect mechanic to inspect the vehicle. For this reason, we offer an outstanding refund policy for customers using our service. Carinspect offers a full refund (minus a 3% credit card fee) for inspection bookings that for any reason cannot go ahead. The following two exceptions apply:
- If the purchaser requires the inspection to be cancelled for any reason and the inspection time and date has already been set with the seller, Carinspect will retain a $60 administration fee whilst refunding you the balance of the booking.
- On the occasion that the Carinspect mechanic has already travelled to the seller’s location to complete the inspection and is unable to fulfil the service, Carinspect will retain a $150 cancellation fee whilst refunding you the balance of the booking.
We’re here to change the game for used car purchasers and bring full transparency to the buying process. Whether you’re looking for the convenience of a mobile inspection or the security of a hoisted workshop inspection, our network of fully qualified mechanics spans Australia-wide so that you can buy with confidence. With our own proprietary inspection software, we’ve partnered with GumtreeGroup so you’ll find our service readily available on over 20,000 new vehicle listings across Australia every week. We’re a service you can trust to ensure you are empowered to make the right used car purchasing decision.
We make this process as easy as it can be. Forget finding out when the seller may be free, only to find that you can’t find a mechanic that’s available in the right area at the right time. Scheduling can be a nightmare, that’s why we do it for you! Our online booking system will check the live availability of the area at time of booking. Just provide us with the details of your booking, process the payment, and then leave the rest to us. Our team will contact the seller of the vehicle and arrange the inspection with them directly. Depending on the vehicle location, we are almost always able to deliver you the report within 48 hours of your booking.
Workshop Inspections are completed at our fixed site partner workshops across the country. Here you’ll receive the benefit of a hoisted inspection in a workshop environment - perfect for a meticulous buyer. For these bookings, the seller of the vehicle must bring the vehicle to our local workshop service partner. The booking process is simple, once you have confirmed with the seller that they can bring the vehicle to our local partner workshop, just process your booking with us and we’ll handle the entire process with the seller. You’ll receive your report immediately after the inspection is completed together with a phone call from the mechanic.
Our mobile team will travel to where the vehicle is being sold. Whether it's a home, workplace, dealership or auction house, our mechanics will inspect the vehicle at the location most convenient to the seller. This service is great for busy sellers or vehicles that cannot meet us at one of our workshop locations across Australia. These inspections are subject to environmental constraints. Bad weather, steep driveways or undulating surfaces or poor lighting can affect inspection results. You’ll receive your report immediately after the inspection is completed together with a phone call from the mechanic.
Carinspect reports are clear and easy to read, to see a sample report, just click here. Car buyers use our reports to identify potential problems with a vehicle which in turn allows them the opportunity to either walk away from the purchase entirely or use our findings to negotiate a more competitive price. Either way, it’s a win for our customers.
We cannot guarantee inspections to take place on the weekend as this time is usually assigned to completing overflow work. Although there are some sellers who only have very specific times that a car can be available for inspection, please be aware that our team deals with this everyday and almost always finds a time that works for all parties - even if it means the seller not being with the vehicle whilst we inspect it.
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