A proposal to cancel roadworthy certificates by VicRoads has been slammed. Roadworthy certificates essential to safety, says VACC.

THE VICTORIAN AUTOMOBILE CHAMBER of commerce is predicting a staggering 777,000 (or around 22% of all cars on the road in Victoria) would be untested if the State Government switches to the ‘transfer system’ proposed by VicRoads to reduce ‘red tape’.

The VACC is calling the proposal a ‘deathtrap danger’, saying roadworthy certificates are vital to road safety: “Many vehicles inspected by licensed vehicle testers are deathtraps and even the Grim Reaper himself would think twice about driving one,” said VACC executive director, David Purchase.

“The existing roadworthy inspection certificate system, on the transfer of privately sold used-vehicles, means that cars, utes, motorcycles and trucks are tested prior to transfer. The certificate enables the buyer to purchase a vehicle, knowing he or she is protected from acquiring an unsafe vehicle.”

In July 2013, VicRoads proposed the removal of roadworthy inspections on transfer, for vehicles under the age of three or five years – it’s a move, the Herald Sun suggests, could save Victorians around $73 million a year.

“Twelve months on from the initial announcement, a decision has not been made and we again implore the Government not to change a system that has served us well for more than fifty years. This is not a red tape issue, as claimed by VicRoads, but a matter of public safety,” Purchase said.

A VACC petition, calling on the Victorian Government not to meddle with the current roadworthy inspection system, with more than 700 member signatures, was delivered to Premier, Denis Napthine, and in a 2013 Newspoll telephone survey, 86% of Victorians said they would not buy a vehicle which did not have a roadworthy certificate.

“The Government must not tamper with a successful inspection procedure which prevents unassuming buyers from purchasing unsafe vehicles. All used vehicles sold need to be safety checked. Safety is not about a vehicle’s age, but about its condition. Any Government considering such a change is taking a massive risk, and in an election year, it could result in political oblivion,” Purchase said.