Roadworthy vs Service : What is the difference?

This is a question we hear more often than you might think :

It just passed a roadworthy, so it does not need a service, right ?

Not quite. A Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) and a vehicle service are two different things. While both involve checking your car, they are looking at completely different reasons.

And yes, a car can absolutely pass a roadworthy and still be due for a service.

What does a Roadworthy check ?

In Victoria, a roadworthy inspection is primarily about one thing : making sure the vehicle meets minimum safety standards for use on the road at the time it is inspected.

The inspection looks at safety- related components, such as:

• Tyres & wheels

• Brakes

• Steering & suspension

• Lights & reflectors

• Windscreen, windows & wipers

• Seats & seatbelts

• the vehicle structure

• other safety related components

Think of it as a safety snapshot of the vehicle.

It does not mean that every component of the car is in perfect condition and it is not the same as checking whether the vehicle has been properly maintained according to its service schedule.

What does a Service do?

A service is about maintaining your vehicle , rather than simply determing whether it meets roadworthy requirements.

Depending on the vehicle and the type of service required, this can include things such as:

• Changing the engine and oil filter

• Checking and topping up fluids

• Inspecting belts and hoses

• Checking filters

• Inspecting tyres and brakes for wear

• Checking the battery

• Looking for leaks or developing problems

• Following the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule

Regular servicing gives your mechanic an opportunity to spot wear and potential problems before they turn into expensive repairs or leave you stranded

But it passed its Roadworthy…

This is where the confusion usually happens. Imagine a vehicles engine oil is overdue for replacement. That does not necessarily make the vehicle unsafe to drive at the exact same moment of its roadworthy inspection, but continuing to neglect it certainly isn’t the engine doing any favours.

Or maybe the tyres meet the minimum roadworthy requirement but they are getting close to needing replacement.

Passing a roadworthy test doesn’t mean nothing needs doing.

It simply means the vehicle met the applicable roadworthiness requirements.

Roadworthy = is the car safe and compliant enough to stay on the road?

Service = What does the car need to stay maintained, reliable and running properly?

One does not replace the other.

What about when buying a used car?

This is particular important when buying a used car. A current roadworthy certificate is valuable but it should not be automatically be treated as proof of mechanical history or recent service.

It is still worth looking at things like :

• Service history

• When the vehicle was last serviced

• Upcoming scheduled maintenance

• General mechanical condition

The bottom line

A roadworthy and a service both have an important job, they are just not the same job.

Your roadworthy is focused on whether the vehicle meets required safety standards.

Your servicing is what helps keep it maintained and running as it should.

So next time someone tells you that it passed a roadworthy so it must have been serviced, you can officially tell them otherwise.

And if you are not sure when your car was last serviced or what maintenance it is due for, the team at Garage 27 can help you work this out.