Roadworthy Certificate Victoria

Certificate of roadworthiness (RWC) in Victoria : In Victoria a certificate of roadworthiness is required when a vehicle is being sold. The owner of the vehicle must provide a current roadworthiness certificate to the buyer, unless the buyer is a spouse or a motor vehicle trader.

A vehicle can be sold without an RWC if it is not registered however If a used vehicle is being re-registered an RWC will be needed. In some cases a roadworthiness certificate is also needed to clear a vehicle defect notice in Victoria.

What is inspected during an RWC?

  • Wheels and tyres.
  • Steering, suspension and braking systems.
  • Seats and seat belts.
  • Lamps and reflectors.
  • Windscreen, and windows including front windscreen wipers and washers.
  • The structure of the vehicle itself.
  • Other safety related items on the body, chassis or engine.

The roadworthiness test is not a check of a vehicle's mechanical reliability or overall condition. If your vehicle needs a comprehensive check then you should arrange for a separate independent report such as those offered by the RACV, many Licensed Motor Car Traders (LMCTs) and other workshops.

Please note that the certificate does not mean:

  • That the vehicle is in top notch condition.
  • Non-safety related parts like air conditioning, electric windows and rear-window wipers are functioning properly.
  • That items checked during an inspection will continue to function after the inspection.