Ford Ranger Roadworthy Inspection in Brisbane - What to Know
I inspected this Ford Ranger Raptor in Tanah Merah today. It passed without any problems – a near new Raptor in excellent condition. The owner’s registration had lapsed for more than 3 months because he forgot to pay the renewal, so he needed a roadworthy before he could re-register it.
The Ford Ranger is the most popular vehicle in Australia. I inspect more Rangers than almost any other car. After thousands of Ranger inspections, here’s what owners should know.
Common Ford Ranger fail points
Transmission leaks (2011-2022 models). This is the big one. Automatic transmission oil leaks are very common on Ford Rangers from 2011 through to 2022. Oil leaking from the transmission onto the ground or onto other components is a roadworthy fail. If you own a Ranger from this era, check underneath the car for any signs of transmission fluid – it’s typically a reddish oil. If there are drips, get it looked at before booking your inspection.
Worn tyres. Rangers are heavy vehicles and owners often tow trailers, boats, and caravans. That weight and towing wears tyres faster than on a lighter car. I see a lot of Rangers come in with rear tyres below the 1.5mm minimum. Check all four tyres and the spare.
Suspension wear. Worn shock absorbers and suspension bushes are common on Rangers that have been used for towing or off-road work. A leaking shock absorber is a guaranteed fail.
Warning lights. ABS and stability control warning lights come up on Rangers, particularly older models. Any safety-related warning light that stays on while the engine is running is a fail.
Aftermarket wheels - a quick note
A lot of Ranger owners fit aftermarket wheels and tyres, especially on models like the Raptor. During the inspection, I check that the wheels don’t rub on any part of the car – the body, mudguards, suspension components, or brake lines. Wheels that contact any part of the vehicle during turning or suspension travel are a fail.
The mudguards must also cover the wheels. If the tyres extend beyond the mudguard, the car can’t pass.
On this Raptor, the wheels were fine – no rubbing, mudguards covering the tyres properly. But if you’ve fitted wider wheels or larger tyres to your Ranger, check for rubbing before your inspection. Turn the steering wheel to full lock in both directions and look for any contact between the tyre and the body or guards.
Re-registering after lapsed registration
This Ranger owner’s registration had lapsed for more than 3 months because he simply forgot to pay. After 3 months, the registration is cancelled and you can’t just pay the renewal anymore. You need to start fresh with a new registration.
Here’s what he had to do:
- Get a roadworthy (safety certificate) – that’s why I was there
- Take the old plates and drive to a TMR customer service centre
- Show the roadworthy certificate on his phone
- Hand in the old plates
- Pay for the new registration and CTP insurance
- Receive new QLD plates on the spot
No forms to fill out beforehand. TMR handles the paperwork and enters the roadworthy details from their system. He had 24 hours after registering to fit the new plates.
If your registration has lapsed for less than 3 months, you can still just pay the renewal without a roadworthy. But after 3 months, you need the full process above.
Don't forget your registration renewal
This is an expensive mistake. What should have been a simple online payment turned into a roadworthy inspection, new registration fees, new plates, and a visit to TMR. All because the renewal notice got lost in a pile of mail.
Set a reminder on your phone for your registration due date. Or set up direct debit through TMR so it renews automatically. A few minutes of setup saves you the hassle and cost of re-registering from scratch.
