Expert in all services · RWC checklist QLD
What Fails a Roadworthy in QLD — RWC Checklist
The items Queensland inspectors check, the defects that fail most often, and what to do before we arrive so you pass first time.
RWC checklist QLD
Everything inspected on a QLD safety certificate
- Tyres, tread depth, wheels and bearings
- Brakes, discs, pads, lines and handbrake
- Steering, ball joints and rack condition
- Suspension, shocks, bushes and springs
- Lights, indicators, brake lights and reflectors
- Seatbelts, buckles and anchorage points
- Windscreen, glass, tint and wipers
- Structural rust, body and chassis condition
- Exhaust, emissions and fluid leaks
- Seats, doors, mirrors and horn
- Engine mounts and driveline
- Warning lamps and dash indicators
Top failures
What fails a roadworthy most often
Tyres lead by a wide margin — tread under 1.5mm, cracked sidewalls, uneven wear from an out-of-spec alignment, or two different sizes on one axle. Next come brakes: pads worn past the wear indicator, scored or lipped discs, and a handbrake that won't hold on a grade.
After that it's lights and electrics — a blown brake light or indicator, a cracked lens, or a warning lamp that stays on. Suspension is fourth: leaking shocks, perished bushes and sagging springs.
Structural rust is the failure that costs the most to fix, because it has to be cut out and welded by a qualified repairer. Windscreen damage in the driver's sweep area and non-compliant tint round out the list.
How to pass roadworthy
Fifteen minutes of prep that saves a re-inspection
- Walk around with someone and test every light
- Check tread depth with a coin or gauge on all four
- Top up and check for puddles under the car
- Replace worn wiper blades and top the washer bottle
- Test the horn and every seatbelt latch
- Pull the handbrake on a slope to confirm it holds
- Clear rubbish so the inspector can reach the spare and jack
- Have registration papers and ID ready
FAQ
Common questions
What is the most common roadworthy failure in QLD?
Tyres. Tread below 1.5mm across the tread face, uneven wear, perished sidewalls or mismatched sizes on an axle all fail. Brake pads and blown bulbs are close behind.
Does rust fail a roadworthy?
Structural rust does — anything in a load-bearing area such as sills, chassis rails, suspension mounts or seatbelt anchorages. Surface rust and cosmetic bubbling in a panel generally doesn't.
Will a check engine light fail a roadworthy?
An illuminated malfunction indicator lamp is a defect on inspection. Warning lamps must operate correctly and then extinguish — a permanently lit engine, ABS or airbag light will fail.
Do modifications fail a roadworthy?
Only non-compliant ones. Lift or lowering outside the allowed range, oversized wheels, loud or non-compliant exhausts, dark window tint and unapproved seats or bull bars are the usual culprits. Certified modifications with paperwork pass.
What happens if my car fails?
You get a written list of exactly what needs fixing and 14 days to repair and re-present for a free re-inspection. In most cases we can fix minor items on the spot and pass it the same visit.
How do I pass a roadworthy first time?
Test every light with a helper, check tread depth on all four tyres, confirm the handbrake holds on a slope, replace worn wipers, top up fluids, check for leaks, and make sure no warning lamps stay illuminated. That covers the majority of avoidable failures.
Does window tint fail a roadworthy in QLD?
Tint darker than the Queensland limit fails — 35% minimum light transmission on front side windows, and no tint on the windscreen below the manufacturer's line. Aftermarket limo tint is a common defect.
What tyre tread depth is legal in Queensland?
1.5mm minimum across the tread face. Anything below that, plus cracking, bulges, exposed cord or mismatched tyre sizes on the same axle, is an automatic fail.
Do windscreen chips and cracks fail an RWC?
Damage in the driver's wiper sweep area fails — generally a crack longer than 30mm or a chip larger than 16mm. Small chips outside the driver's line of sight usually pass.
Is there a free re-inspection if my car fails?
Yes. Repair the listed defects within 14 days and we re-inspect at no extra charge. Minor items are often fixed on the spot during the original visit.
How long is the RWC checklist inspection?
45 to 60 minutes for a light vehicle. Nothing is dismantled — it's a visual and functional safety check against the Queensland inspection manual.
More answers, pricing and booking options on our Roadworthy Certificate hub.
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