RWC/Safety Cert. QLD

[Newy]

While work on my Series 3 SWB have started, my mind is thinking about when it comes to registering him and getting it roadworthied.

What things do landys mainly fail on?

What things do I need to make sure are done for the roady?

Newy

[Phil B]

Have a look at the ADR's for the year your Land Rover was originally built
They will tell you about the requirements for things like seat belts, windscreen washers, self cancelling indicators, heater etc
Other than ADR's look for compliance plate details the same as chassis number, rust, oil leaks, lights, brakes, correct seats, correct engine (or mod plate), chassis damage/mods etc
Anything that doesn't look right probably isn't
Speak to your inspector along the way to get an idea of what they will need
Phil

[landy]

While I totally agree with the above comments I would also add that its best to start with the safety items first. Make sure the brakes, exhaust, lights and tyres etc are right. That way you are confident that the car is at least at a basic safety standard.
As far as the rest is concerned, I have found that the consistency and standard of the RWC mechanic can be hit and miss at times. I have found its best to do the safety stuff and the obvious things first (check out the main roads/RTA websites) and present the car for testing. Then just fix the items identified.
It saves over repairing the vehicle. Go armed with a copy of the road worthy requirements too. To often they will fail a car on items that are roadworthy by the book. An example is windscreens. You are allowed a far bit of damage (in Victoria) before they are unroadworthy. But they always seem to be ticked as unroadworthy for the slightest damage.

Good luck. Nice to hear of another Land Rover getting back on the road.

Cheers.

[Bigbjorn]

Depends on the attitude and industry of the Authorised Inspector. some are downright to the letter of the law, some are hard but fair, and some pass almost anything. I had a look at a dual cab Defender ute which had a two day old Safety Certificate. No attempt had been made to clean it underneath and it leaked oil from just about every possible joint. Handbrake didn't work nor did the high beams. I asked the owner if his best mate did the certificate as a favour. I think the comment passed over his head. I took the number of the certificate and the name and number of the inspector and reported it to TMR. Did the same a while ago for a CM Valiant that had serious rust and cracking in the subframe around the steering box. Common Valiant fault. Reported that too.

[Newy]

Thanks guys..... but looks like I found my guy to talk to... he's a local inspector and a fellow landy owner :)
I reckon he'll be able to help me out :)
Newy

[Phil B]

Great to get an inspector who knows old Land Rovers
Some others expect the same standard as a new car
Good luck and enjoy!!
Phil

[Lakey]

So guys, if the vehicle in question has been in pieces under the house for a few years (lets say 30 as a rough estimate) where do you get a certificate? Local inspection station or would you need to take it to a TMR inspector like I did with new trailer build many years ago. Also who do you see about mods such as removable gearbox cross member?

Cheers
Lakey

[chazza]

Lakey, your best bet is to ring the licencing HQ and ask them that, presuming that you have found nothing of use on their website.

It is a good idea to write down the name of the person you spoke to; their phone number; date; copies of relevant ADR's. etc. Keep it all in a file and take it to the licencing test, in case stupid arguments start when you have it inspected.

Asking questions on a forum is sometimes not all that helpful; for example people often state on AULRO that copper brake pipes are illegal in Australia, but when I rang the WA engineering section of the Dept of Transport they said it was legal in WA, but they preferred that I did not use them!

Good luck with the restoration!

Cheers Charlie

[Bigbjorn]

Don't tell inspectors about modifications unless they are glaringly obvious. Let them work it out for themselves. Many inspectors were not born when Series LR's were in common use so know little about them. Let them remain ignorant. Knowledge can be dangerous.

[Seriestwo]

I have had a couple Landys registered in QLD and they mainly check;
lights and horn work
that there are no oil leaks
perished rubbers in the steering / suspension
Engine and gearbox mounts
Tyres and brakes
exhaust leaks / not too loud
Not blowing excessive smoke
that the vehicle drives well

In QLD if you are requiring modifications, its best to talk to a engineer/mechanic who can legally attach a "Mod Plate" to the vehicle. Its best to do this before you are modifying it as he will be able to inspect it before and after the modifications to make sure that it done correctly. You don't really need to talk to TMR as once the mod plate is attached it is deemed "safe". TMR might want to check the engine number and chassis number when registering the vehicle but that's about it.

The process to registering a vehicle in QLD is;
1. Obtain CTP insurance
2. Drive it to the mechanic to obtain Safety Certificate
3. Drive it to the Department of Transport to get registered
4. Drive it home and attach plates.
5. Enjoy your vehicle

[Lakey]

Don't tell inspectors about modifications unless they are glaringly obvious. Let them work it out for themselves. Many inspectors were not born when Series LR's were in common use so know little about them. Let them remain ignorant. Knowledge can be dangerous.

Tend to agree Brian however I'm a tad concerned about putting it all back together only to have it knocked back because of things that would be easier to rectify while it is all in boxes. It's a dilemma!

Though at the rate I work on it there will be no fuel to drive it on the road anyway so probably a moot point.

Cheers
Lakey

[101RRS]

I think that for a series 3 the specific things to look out over the usual for any car - oil leaks, steering slop and brake/hand brake performance.

Cheers

Garry

[Bigbjorn]

I think that for a series 3 the specific things to look out over the usual for any car - oil leaks, steering slop and brake/hand brake performance.

Cheers

Garry

You may find that a drum braked vehicle no matter how good the condition of the system won't get the numbers on the Tapley Meter. Older more experienced inspectors who grew up with drum brakes mostly realise this and allow some leeway. Seen this with a number of restored collector cars. You need to find an old mechanic to check it if this happens and then have a word with the inspector if all is considered OK.

[101RRS]

I am not so sure - my roadworthy tester uses one and my 101 passed with flying colours.

When I first came to Canberra my everyday driver was a series 3 and here all vehicles had to go to the main branch of the RTA for testing. They used individual brake rollers that provides a read out of the braking force at each wheel.

I was concerned that my series 3 would not pass but it actually did OK. So if the brakes are Ok the series 3 should be Ok but they do need to be in good condition and adjusted correctly.

Cheers

Garry

[The Mighty Range Rover]

I just got my Series 3 roadworthy.
The inspector didn't really know much about Land rovers, but he checked for rust and the tyres and the lights and what not. Mine failed the first time on the suspension bushes, and the swivel seals and pinion seals leaking oil. Basically you need to clean alllllll the oil off of everything under the car. Then on the day of the inspection just take a cloth with petrol or de-greaser on it and wipe over all the seals again, any oil seems to be a big no no.

[debruiser]

Or you could do like I did last time and get the inspector to come to you ;)