Motorists are being warned of a potential increase in the number of unsafe vehicles in Victoria, if the government goes ahead and changes Victoria’s roadworthy inspection system by reducing roadworthy certificates (RWC) on used cars.
In July 2013, VicRoads proposed the removal of roadworthy inspections on transfer, for vehicles under the age of three or five years. VACC immediately voiced its opposition and continually informed the government that any change to the system would impact vehicle safety and endanger lives.
According to VACC’s submission to the government, one of the changes proposed by VicRoads to the roadworthy on transfer system could result in 777,000, or 22%, of the state’s fleet being untested.
When asked if used car dealers are doing enough to ensure vehicle safety, VACC executive director, David Purchase, told AutoTalk: “Used car dealers play an important role in providing safer vehicles in Victoria. As LMCTs, they are bound by the Motor Car Traders Act, which means registered vehicles must be sold with a roadworthy certificate (RWC).”
“This means buyers can go to a LMCT and buy a used car knowing it has been inspected prior to sale. Buyers also benefit from the consumer protections offered by LMCTs for example, cooling off period, statutory warranty and clear title.”
Purchase points out that it is in the used car dealership’s interest to encourage buyers to upgrade to safer cars.
“Used car stock often includes vehicles with better safety systems than the one the buyer is currently driving and/or trading in. Their variety of stock enables buyers to compare different vehicles and have a wider choice – and often purchase decisions are made on a vehicle’s safety technology,” he says.
According to Purchase, the real issue is in association with private sales. “Buyers know little about the condition and service history of the vehicle they are potentially going to buy,” he says.
“VicRoads claim the reason behind changing the RWC is to cut red tape and save Victorian motorists $73 million per year. We dispute many elements of the VicRoads proposal and in particular the red tape claim. VACC, LMCT, and LVT members do not complain to us about red tape so it’s not a business concern.
“Motorists have not complained about red tape or the system, or the cost, and take comfort in the fact the vehicle has been inspected prior to purchase.”
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 RWC.
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