Thread: Average cost of a RWC test ?

Last couple of RWC's I've had done were around the $90 mark.
That's just for the inspection, and then you have 7 days to get any defects fixed and have those things re-checked by whoever did the initial inspection and the RWC issued. Longer than 7 days and you have to pay for another inspection.

Some mechanics are happy to do the initial inspection without it getting onto the Vicroads paperwork - and they'll just give you a list of things to fix.

This can be good and bad. If the mechanic is reasonable then it can give you a bit longer to fix things before having to fork out for another inspection charge.
On the other hand, if he's just writing up a list of defects hoping that you will give him the OK to proceed to fix it (together with the associated wallet rape) and that Vicroads will never see his BS list, then its not so good.

Have a good read of the RWC requirements so that you are informed, and if there's something that you dont think is a RWC issue then discuss it politely with the mechanic. Especially with older vehicles they can sometimes forget that particular requirements dont apply to them.

Steve

If the mechanic come back with a huge list of issues trying to drum up some business and you think it is Bull Shi. it is often cheaper to try somewhere else and paying for a new inspection than doing the repairs. I had this happen with one place and the next place passed it with flying colours.

Cheers guys

I've no intention of letting them do any work to the car at all, I need a list off them of things it requires and I'll sort them out myself, same goes for the VASS inspection chappie next door. Haven't got myself a job yet so I'm sure this thing will fill the time over Christmas quite adequately ! Reading the RWC test details on VicRoads I've got a good idea what they should be checking for, but as mentioned, making sure they apply the right criteria to a 32 year old car is more important. It'll never pass the handbrake test, it wouldn't have done that when it was new, the handbrake's rubbish (putting it mildly) so I'll just have to adjust up the brake shoes and hope it works well enough.

"... making sure they apply the right criteria to a 32 year old car is more important. It'll never pass the handbrake test, it wouldn't have done that when it was new..."

Very relevant IMHO, as it will have no effect on the car's safety in the real world

It would be interesting to compare the statistics... as to what % of crashes are caused by vehicle defects, and do it on a country by country and state by state basis, comparing 'which' areas require a yearly examination and which don't.

My nasty suspicious mind tells me that the heinousness of Vehicle Defects will be markedly higher where the Powers That Be insist on a yearly (PAID) inspection...


The figures would need to be relevant, like bald tyres cannot be blamed for a driver (not the vehicle...) failing to give way at a roundabout, or T-boning / killing another driver by running a red light at inappropriate speed...

$90 per year, well, add your time etc, which would make it around $300 to $400 means about $1 per day JUST to keep your car inspected....

Great little money-spinner and means of keeping the populace trained to be compliant to every possible regulation...

Just had a road worthy done on my Defender last month. Cost me $200 for the test with 7 days to fix any defects. I asked why so expensive and my mechanic told me that they now have to take photos of things they are doing while they are inspecting the car and make a log of everything they do/find on it.
I rang a couple of other places and they were around the same price mark. I went with Russel as I've known and used him for 10 years, he used to own a Rangie, and know that he is reasonable.

We have a yearly test in the UK, I don't mind it as it'll often find things that you wouldn't normally notice. This car had an MOT in August and has only done ~200 miles since. Doesn't cost much though, the set figure is just over £50 but it's often available for much less. Takes an hour to do officially.

When I got my ute road worthy done it was a fee of $90 and about $1500 in repairs. Not bad for a vehicle that was meant to be road worthy ahh well you live and learn. As already said some mechanics need to be a bit flexible. Some years ago another ute I had got a road worthy for, was at the first place I took the ute told that the missing chrome strip along the side was a road worthy item. The old truck I sold at the time I brought the ute. The place that did ute road worthy did not want to look at the truck. Was not happy as they said yes at first and charged me the $90 then picked things like a minor dent under a rear side window. I tried to question what they picked and they got all stand offish and huffy so went else were and had no problems.
Cheers Hall

Mike. What is a VASS.

Dave.