Defect Notices
Hi All,
Need some information about clearing a defect notice. A police officer has given me a defect for a unsecured battery (I've already fixed that by tightening the bolts), and an indicator that flashed white instead of amber (fixed that today by replacing bulb) and for an exhaust that may be too loud (had it tested and was ok). I have obtained a RWC and everything is in check.
My question is; when i bring the car to VicRoads what will they be looking for (e.g. will they be hoisting the car up to search for leaks)? I don't have anything to hide, I just want to be prepared. I don't want to be turned down to fix another "defect" which wasn't on the notice.
I should add; It has Minor Defect marked on the notice and no label was put on my windscreen. Does this mean my car does not have to be present at all at the VicRoads inspection?
Take it out/Take it Back
If you've obtained a RWC, then you shouldnt have anything to worry about.
Unless it wasnt a legit roadworthy.
Originally Posted by ari666
Legitimate RWC but if the mechanic had missed something, could the VicRoads inspector pick up on it, for example a leak? Or is he only interested in the items on the Defect Notice?
captain halfajob
i could be wrong: but with a minor vic roads dont inspect. you jut take the rwc in.
they have also had specialist rwc checkers sitting around at vic roads, so when people come for change of ownership (which doesnt need an inspection) they ask to see the car. of course the owners can refuse, but a lot of the dumbarses do and then they fault the rwc cert.
so in summary, dont take your car.
You may be right, the officer did not attach a label to my windscreen and on the VicRoads website (refer below) it says i won't even need to bring in my car.
Certificate of Roadworthiness must be obtained - You must present a Victorian Certificate of Roadworthiness obtained in respect of the vehicle, dated after the date of issue of the Defect Notice, at a VicRoads office. You must not remove the defect label. If the label is present, the vehicle must be presented at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for removal. If the label is not present, ie where the windscreen was replaced or where a label was not attached, the vehicle does not have to be presented.
SILVERFOX
Mate it wouldn't hurt to de-grease underneath just in case.
Funnily enough my cousin got yellow canaried years ago in his HK. Cop said fix the defects and bring the car to local cop shop when fixed. We fixed the defects (can't even remember what they were now) and took it to cop shop, went in and said to copper, "The cars out the front, want to come and check it?" Cop said, "Nah it's right, you wouldn't have brought it back if the defects weren't fixed." And with that, we went on our merry way, no dramas.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
I got another problem now. Mechanic won't give me the RWC because of an oil leak, which to fix will cost $1,000+. Any ideas on how i can get around this??
Slayer of Stupid Threads
I thought you said you already got the RWC done?
...anyway where is it leaking from. If its the rear main you might be up shit creek. But if its just a slight leek you should be able to clean it up a tad and perhaps slow down the leak. Thicker oil, take the car down to the mech on a real cold morning, dont drive it far to the mechanic. Stuff like that.
When I got my RWC done he said my power steering had a slight leak, but he passed it because he cleaned it up and it didnt leak while it was on the hoist. So as long as it looks clean and its not spitting oil when its in the air, you should be right.
SILVERFOX
where is the leak? if you can degrease thoroughly, and get it to another mechanic pretty quick (before oil leaks again) then you may be ok. Depends on mechanic. And depends where leak is
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Vicroads don't employ mechanics, full stop
if you provide them with a RWC and that is all that is required, they wont even look at your car/bike
if they require to inspect a vehicle all they do is check engine and VI numbers to make sure they match their data base and that's it
there's no pits or extra mechanical checks done at vicroads
let's stop all the myths
THIS GOES FOR ANYONE
if a cop tries to defect your car, in a friendly manner ask them if they were a qualified mechanic before joining the force ? the answer will be "no"
then ask them if vicroads has issued them with a vehicle testers licence and what number it is? the answer will be "what"
do this in a friendly manner . they'll think twice doing it on the next car they pull over
i don't think it's legal as they are not qualified vehicle testers
L337
and you will get ass raped by that said cop
haha say that and start bending over for the rape i rekns lol ... but he is right tho, the cops aren't really meant to do that without a testing license..
captain halfajob
lol. ok. well, just to clarify here... they now DO actually employ rwc inspectors, and DO ask to inspect cars that normally dont require inspection on a random basis.
so lets just stop the myth that they dont, ok?
i think the whole point of a defect notice is to allow cops to remove cars that they consider unsafe from the road... you dont need to be a vehicle tester to know when tyres are bald or how low the car is
and arguing with the cop isnt a good idea just be polite and take it on the chin... chances are if your good about it he might let you off something else
captain halfajob
and again, believing this will end up hurting you. if the officer that is giving you a canary is not TOG qualified, he will have you sitting on the side of the road while you wait for a cop that IS (i once waiting for over an hour), and then that cop will go over your car properley, rather than just giving you a minor defect. so so far oska buddy, you are 2 for 2.
Take it out/Take it Back
That's complete rubbish. There answer would probably be more along the lines of "I've done a course, and there is a registered officer back at the station who looks over my report and signs it off"
Been there, done that, Got the sticker.
Aint no family cruiser!!!
theres no point trying to be a smartarse with them, no matter how friendly you say it, its called the attitude test, you need to pass, ive been stopped quite a few times without getting defected (if you seen/heard my car you would wonder how i managed it) fact is is your fine with them they will be fine with you, as long as the car isnt a death trap, i had a copper pull me over in fremantle (WA) and i ended up standing there talking to him about his boat with an inboard 350 in it for half an hour haha, needless to say he was a nice bloke and he sent me on my way with no defect
Going where no late model stato/caprice has gone before.... GAME ON!!
Take it out/Take it Back
Not always. You get some #### cops who are just out to be arseholes. There's doing your job, and there's going out of your way to be a #### bag about doing it.
Plus, VicRoads do check your car afterwards if you've had a major. When i got mine defected, i went and raised all the suspension up again, got a roadworthy, presented the roadworthy to vicroads, and they still went out with the wheel on the stick to check the height, even though they had the certificate of roadworthiness in front of them.
WOW thanks for all the replies.
Sorry mate i just assumed the mechanic would give me the RWC on the day.I thought you said you already got the RWC done?
Yeah its a small leak from the rear main (1-3 drops every 10 hours) but it was enough for the mechanic to notice. Since then I've added "Stop leak" to the engine oil and I've degreased under the car. I like the idea of going in on a cold morning so I will attempt that this Saturday, I suppose I'll park somewhere close by, degrease it there, then straight to the mechanic around the corner.
So from what I've gathered, VicRoads don't normally concern themselves with vehicle inspections (I guess thats why they make us get our own RWC) but on random occasions, send out a qualified tester to inspect a vehicle?
P.S. When he defected my exhaust noise, I asked how he can tell it was too loud with out a proper noise tester... to which replied "that's why you gotta get a RWC cos only the mechanic will have one" -I'll leave it to you guys to interpret that yourselves. He also mentioned VicRoads do not have certified noise testers at the offices, that may be useful info.
Slayer of Stupid Threads
Thats the shit of it really. Half the time they cite things that dont even exist. But its up to you to prove it doesnt. I like how our entire legal system is based on the presumption that you are innocent until proven guilty...except for select traffic violations. You are guilty, prove me wrong.
Nil Bastardo Carborundum
Some guys here have a funny (and utterly misguided) idea of what a police officer is empowered to do.
When a police officer pulls you over, he has a legal responsibility and the necessary authority to inspect your vehicle if he has reasonable cause to suspect it may be defective. He doesn't need a license or formal qualification to tell that your tyres are bald, or the car has been excessively lowered, or the battery is loose. It's obvious to him and it would be obvious to any fair minded, intelligent person. Asking him what qualifications he has is just going to convince him he is dealing with a smart-arse. He might tell you he has all the authority and qualifications he needs, by virtue of the uniform he wears. And he would be dead right.
captain halfajob
bingo. there are only a pair of guys that i know of covering pretty much all of vic, so your chances of them being at your vicroads on that particular day are low. but why risk it? just go in a different car or lie and say it isnt there. i know they are quite often in carlton vic roads, and other dealers have had randoms in sunshine and dandenong.
Your reply could have been "But wouldnt the mechanic have checked that when I got a RWC after purchasing the car?"
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