How Long Does a Roadworthy Inspection Take?
I get asked this all the time, usually by people who want to know if they need to take time off work or rearrange their day. Here’s the honest answer after doing this Volkswagen Golf in Moorooka today.
About 30 minutes for most vehicles
A standard roadworthy inspection on a car takes around 30 minutes. Motorcycles are slightly quicker at around 15-20 minutes. Trailers vary depending on size and whether they have brakes.
That said, the actual time depends on a few things.
What can make it quicker
The biggest factor is how the vehicle is set up when I arrive. If the following things are sorted, the inspection runs smoothly and quickly:
The vehicle is parked on flat ground with some space around it. I need to get underneath and around all sides. A car squeezed between a fence and a wall slows things down.
There’s a separate parking space for my vehicle nearby. I need to do a test drive, which means the inspected vehicle needs to be able to move freely. If you’ve parked it in a single driveway and my car is behind it, we have to shuffle vehicles around first.
The vehicle is not behind a locked gate. I need to take it for a test drive on the road. If it’s parked behind a gate that I can’t open, that’s a problem.
The key is available. Sounds obvious but it’s worth mentioning. Leave the key in an agreed spot or hand it to me when I arrive.
What can make it take longer
A vehicle in poor condition takes longer to inspect. If I’m finding multiple issues, I need to document each one properly for the report. A clean, well-maintained car is usually done faster than one with a long list of problems.
Old vehicles and trailers can take longer because compliance plates, chassis numbers, and engine numbers are often hard to read due to age, corrosion, or dirt. If you have registration papers or any documents that show these numbers, have them ready. It saves me time trying to read a corroded plate with a torch. For newer cars and motorcycles this isn’t usually an issue – the numbers are easy to find and read.
You don't need to be there
You don’t need to stand around watching the inspection. Once I have the key and access to the vehicle, you can go back to work, have a coffee, or get on with your day. I’ll call you when I’m done and let you know the result.
If you’re not going to be home, that’s fine too. I offer unattended inspections – just leave the key in an agreed spot and make sure the vehicle is accessible. I’ll do the inspection and send you the result.
The only thing I need from you is the key and a vehicle that’s parked somewhere I can access it and take it for a test drive. Everything else is handled.
