Can I Sell My Motorcycle Without a Roadworthy in Queensland?
I inspected this Kawasaki H2 in Ormeau today – the owner was selling it and had the roadworthy sorted before listing. Smart move. But not every seller does this, so here’s what the rules are.
Registered motorcycle - you must provide a roadworthy
If your motorcycle is currently registered in Queensland, you are legally required to provide a valid safety certificate to the buyer before ownership can be transferred. No certificate, no transfer. This is the same rule as for cars.
Selling a registered motorcycle without a roadworthy is an offence. And until the transfer is completed, the bike is still in your name. Any fines, tolls, or incidents are your problem.
Get the roadworthy done before you list it. Not after.
Unregistered motorcycle - not required, but worth doing
If your motorcycle is unregistered, you’re not legally required to provide a roadworthy. The buyer takes the bike as-is and it’s their responsibility to get it inspected and registered.
But providing a roadworthy anyway gives you a real advantage.
A motorcycle with a valid certificate sells faster. Buyers on Facebook Marketplace and Bikesales see dozens of listings. The ones that say “roadworthy ready” attract serious buyers who are ready to pay and ride away.
A motorcycle with a roadworthy sells for more. Without a certificate, buyers will lowball you because they’re factoring in the cost and risk of getting their own inspection and dealing with potential repairs.
The buyer can register and ride away the same day. If you provide the roadworthy, the buyer can go to TMR, register the bike, get plates, come back and ride off. Without a certificate, they need a trailer or a ute to take the bike away – most casual buyers don’t have that, and the deal often falls apart.
Motorcycle listings without a roadworthy look suspicious
When a buyer sees a motorcycle listed without a roadworthy, the first question in their mind is “what’s wrong with it?” Maybe the tyres are shot. Maybe the fork seals are leaking. Maybe there’s an oil leak or a warning light. The seller knows the bike won’t pass so they’re trying to offload it without the inspection.
That might not be your situation at all – maybe you just haven’t gotten around to it. But the buyer doesn’t know that. All they see is a listing without a roadworthy, and they move on to the next one that has it ready.
The cost is small compared to what you gain
A mobile motorcycle roadworthy with Local Roadworthys starts from $110 booked online. For that you get a full inspection at your home, the electronic certificate issued on the spot if it passes, and a much stronger position when selling. That $110 usually comes back several times over through a faster sale at a better price.
