When it comes to vehicle safety and compliance in Victoria, understanding the ins and outs of Roadworthy Certificates (RWC) is crucial. The Certificate of Roadworthiness is a key document needed for specific vehicle-related activities, and knowing what it covers—and what it doesn't—can save you time, money, and potential legal issues down the road.

In Victoria, a Roadworthy Certificate is a document that confirms a vehicle has passed a basic safety inspection. The inspection is aimed at ensuring that key components of the vehicle, such as brakes, steering, suspension, lights, and tires, are in a condition that makes the vehicle safe to operate on public roads. However, it is important to highlight that a roadworthy inspection is not a comprehensive full vehicle inspection. It primarily focuses on safety standards necessary for the vehicle's operation on the road, rather than assessing the overall condition or mechanical reliability of the vehicle.

An RWC is required in several scenarios, most notably when you are planning to sell your vehicle or when it needs to be re-registered. According to Victoria's regulations, a vehicle must have a valid RWC issued by a Licensed Vehicle Tester before these transactions can be completed. This is to ensure that vehicles being transferred or re-registered meet the safety standards set out under Regulation 220 by the Roads Corporation, commonly known as VicRoads.

The roadworthy inspection checks whether a vehicle complies with safety standards, but it's crucial to remember that it doesn't provide a detailed overview of the vehicle's condition. The inspection includes checks on:

Steering, suspension, and braking systems

Windscreen and windows, including front wipers and washers

Other safety-related items on the body, chassis, or engine

These components are inspected to ensure they are in satisfactory condition for safe operation. However, it's important to note that a Certificate of Roadworthiness doesn't constitute a complete assessment of a vehicle's compliance with the Standards for Registration, governed by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). These rules often go beyond the scope of a roadworthy inspection and cover aspects like vehicle emissions and noise levels.

One common misconception is that a roadworthy inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a vehicle’s condition. In reality, a roadworthy inspection focuses solely on ensuring that the vehicle meets minimum safety standards. It does not evaluate the overall mechanical reliability or cosmetic condition of the vehicle. For those looking to assess a vehicle’s general condition or value, an independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended. This type of inspection provides a detailed assessment of the vehicle's mechanical health, which can be particularly beneficial for buyers.

Pre-Purchase Inspections: An Additional Step

To obtain an RWC, you need to visit a licensed inspection station, such as Wallan Garage in Wallan, which is authorized to conduct Roadworthy Certificate Examinations for light vehicles. With 25 years of experience, Wallan Garage ensures that your vehicle meets all necessary safety standards. Remember, while having an RWC is crucial for certain transactions, it doesn’t guarantee the vehicle’s overall condition, making pre-purchase inspections a wise decision for prospective buyers.

Once you have obtained your RWC, maintaining your vehicle's roadworthiness is an ongoing responsibility. Regular servicing is essential to keep your vehicle safe and efficient. For diesel engine owners, it’s especially important to adhere to the specific service requirements that ensure smooth and efficient performance. By staying on top of regular maintenance and repairs, you can help ensure that your vehicle remains safe and reliable on the road.

Maintaining Your Vehicle’s Roadworthiness

In Victoria, a Certificate of Roadworthiness is an essential document for anyone looking to sell or re-register a vehicle. While it certifies that the vehicle meets basic safety standards, it doesn't cover all aspects of the vehicle's mechanical condition. For those purchasing a vehicle, an independent pre-purchase inspection can provide peace of mind by offering a comprehensive assessment of the vehicle's condition.

Licensed providers like Wallan Garage in Wallan are well-equipped to handle roadworthy inspections, ensuring that your vehicle is safe and compliant with Victoria's regulations. Always remember, staying informed and proactive about your vehicle's roadworthiness can lead to a safer driving experience for you and others on the road...

The Certificate of Roadworthiness is a key document needed for specific vehicle-related activities, and knowing what it covers—and what it doesn't—can save you time, money, and potential legal issues down the road....

Understanding RWC Roadworthy Certificates and Roadworthiness in Victoria

Understanding RWC Roadworthy Certificates

Did you know there is a cabin air filter in your car? Where is your cabin air filter? They are designed to remove a large amount of outside air pollutants and debris to keep you breathing easily when you drive.  And it is usually located in your glovebox. Talk to Wallan Garage in Wallan today about your cabin air filter !

Just like your air-conditioning at home, the filters need to be checked at regular intervals and changed when it has done it's job. Replacing your cabin air filter is important to your health and your cars health too!

The air outside your car can be polluted enough with smoggy city traffic or even dusty country roads, but research published in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal shows that without an effective cabin air filter installed, the air inside your car can contain over 10 times more pollutants than the air outside.
This poor quality air can cause:

"Cabin air filters are designed to filter out contaminants while  absorbing noxious odours and harmful gases like exhaust and ozone,"  explained Ryco Filters General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Ross Lamb. Cabin air filters become clogged over time and their effectiveness at protecting your health declines. 

If you drive ‘Mum's Taxi', you might feel like you are always on the move - and a recent study into driving habits confirmed that parents with children aged 6-15 drive approximately 10% more than drivers without kids. And, the longer you spend in a vehicle with a Cabin Air Filter that needs replacing, the more you are at risk of health complications. 

As well as healthier air - an effective cabin air filter means you get better fuel performance from your vehicle. A clogged cabin air filter will cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to and this means it uses more fuel and your air conditioning system is more likely to have a costly breakdown.

At Wallan Garage in Wallan we check your cabin air filter as part of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report which you can request with every full car service.
For a more comprehensive check of your air condition system we recommend an air conditioning service.

Cabin air filter replacement is not only important to your car's health - it affects yours too.

Embracing Regular Car Servicing for Safer and Stress-Less Holiday Trips 

To ensure that your vehicle is holiday-ready, routine service checks are imperative if you want to make sure that your vehicle is as safe, efficient and ready for a road trip as is reasonably possible. In this article, we'll delve into the various mechanical tasks carried out during regular car servicing, the importance of maintenance, and the safety and comfort benefits they provide in relation to getting a vehicle ready for a road trip.


Ensuring your trusty automobile is up to snuff in terms of reliability and efficiency is of paramount importance when embarking on a leisurely road trip. With regular maintenance and care, you'll have the opportunity to detect any possible hiccups before they spiral out of control, putting a damper on your road trip plans and potentially straining your wallet.

10 ways Regular Car Servicing helps you prepare for road trips

The braking system of your vehicle plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety on the roads. As such, it is important to conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure that every component, from the brake fluid to the brake pads and rotors, is in pristine condition, providing optimal functionality. The efficiency of your car's braking system during your holiday journey is essential to guarantee safe travels and enabling you to navigate the roadways safely.

Brake Maintenance: A Necessity for Safety 

When it comes to embarking on a much-needed getaway, nothing is more bothersome than driving on a scorching hot day without the aid of an air conditioning system that is in optimal working condition. Holiday driving in many parts of Australia can be sweltering without an operational air conditioning system. Besides, a functional AC system serves an important role in window demisting for added safety. Servicing helps detect leaks and fix issues early, providing a comfortable driving environment

Optimising your Car’s Air Conditioning System 

A comprehensive vehicle maintenance and servicing package will inevitably encompass a meticulous examination of the intricate and interconnected systems that are responsible for providing your car with a smooth, effortless driving experience. This includes but is not limited to, a comprehensive assessment of the suspension and steering mechanisms of your car, which are crucial to its performance, handling, and overall comfort, especially during a long road trip that demands nothing less than a reliable, efficient, and safe driving experience.

Suspension and Steering: The Backbone of a Smooth Ride 

Maintaining a consistent oil change routine is absolutely crucial in order to maintain the cleanliness of your vehicle's engine and ensure an optimally efficient and smooth ride. Taking the time to regularly have your engine oil checked and replaced as needed can quite literally be a lifesaver, particularly when it comes to embarking on a long and leisurely road trip journey with your loved ones.

Checking and Changing Engine Oil: Enhancing Engine Health 

There’s nothing more stressful than a dead car battery when on a road trip. One of the most stressful situations that any driver can encounter while on a long journey is a dead car battery. This unexpected setback can lead to hours of frustration and lost time, potentially ruining an otherwise enjoyable trip. Regular car servicing involves inspecting the car battery, keeping you free of those unwelcome surprises on your travels.

Battery Inspection: The Ignition Assurance 

A well-maintained set of tyres not only provides an optimal level of road grip, but it also enhances the efficiency of a vehicle. The regular checking of one's tyres via regularly having your car serviced helps ensure a safe and smooth road trip or holiday travel experience. Through a comprehensive tyre check, individuals can identify any damages, inappropriate levels of inflation, or other wear-and-tear issues that may compromise the performance of the vehicle.

When it comes to keeping your car running at peak performance, nothing is more crucial than regular servicing. One aspect of this maintenance that often gets overlooked is a thorough inspection of your auto electrical system. By taking the time to diagnose and address any potential issues during a comprehensive vehicle inspection, you can ensure that your car is always operating at maximum efficacy.

Over the course of your car's lifespan, its various filters and fluids may experience deterioration, resulting in a loss of efficiency and potential for mechanical failure. However, by prioritising regular servicing that incorporates comprehensive filter and fluid replacement procedures, you can safeguard your vehicle's longevity and maximise its performance on the open road, thereby helping guarantee uninterrupted road trips.

Fluid and Filter Replacement: Enhancing Your Vehicle's Lifespan

Frequently conducting servicing for your cherished vehicle can greatly benefit your driving experience by ensuring that it operates in optimal condition. By keeping up with regular maintenance and guaranteeing that your engine is performing at its best, you will notice significant improvements in fuel efficiency and engine power, resulting in fewer stops at the petrol station and cost savings in the long term.

Vehicle Efficiency: Saving Costs in the Long Run 

When it comes to planning a road trip, ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition is paramount to enjoying a stress-free journey. One of the most effective ways to guarantee this is by scheduling regular vehicle servicing. This is an invaluable gift that not only helps keep your car running smoothly, but also offers the priceless benefit of peace of mind. As you prepare for your road trip, you can trust that your vehicle won't let you down, leaving you free to plan and enjoy the rest of a hassle-free and memorable experience.

Regular vehicle servicing affords you the invaluable gift of peace of mind. 

As you plan your road trip, the advantages of maintaining your car's performance are shown to be extensive. Car servicing goes beyond mere regular checks; it is a vital undertaking to ensure your vehicle's efficiency and your safety on the road, particularly during the holiday travels.

Uncover 10 ways Regular Car Servicing helps you prepare for road trips and the importance of regular car maintenance in preparing your vehicle for holiday travels. Explore how varied mechanical tasks help keep your vehicle in top-notch condition and ready toi go at the drop of a hat...

Take some stress out of road trips with regular car service

Take some stress out of road trips with regular service

As your local Mechanic in Wallan, Wallan Garage take great pride in offering our clients the very best in car servicing and automotive repairs

Wallan Garage is a family-owned business of 25 years. We provide excellent automotive repairs and servicing for drivers in Wallan and surroundings.

Wallan Garage specialise in car servicing for all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. We only use quality parts and fluids in every car service and our mechanics are fully qualified, meaning the job is done right and your warranty remains intact.

Our fully qualified log book servicing ensures your car is in safe hands, and we provide quality car service and repairs on all models, including four wheel drive and Diesel vehicles. We can service new cars and Wallan Garage mechanics are more than happy to validate your log book when we service your car protecting you further.

Here at Wallan Garage we are proud to be an Australian owned and operated workshop servicing our local community of Wallan. We believe that motorists in Wallan deserve the very best in customer service and technical expertise, that's why we choose to be a part of Australia's largest independent network of mechanical workshops, proudly backed by the biggest name in the business - Repco.

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care. Our Business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring each mechanic is kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods.

We have access to the best parts and training in the country and offer a Nationwide Warranty honoured at over 500 workshops across Australia.

So, wherever you go, you can rely on the experience and knowledge of Wallan Garage and Repco authorised service.

The team at Wallan Garage are committed to excellence.

As a Repco Authorised Service Centre we provide high quality customer service and superior workmanship, ensuring our customers receive the very best in automotive care.

Attached to the Shell Service Station in Wallan our facilities include Toilets, Tea, Coffee & Cold Drinks available, Fuel Refill Station (part of business), Free Parking at or near the workshop, Vehicle Pick-up & Delivery, Customer Delivery and Pick Up, Early Drop Service ( key drop off box), Flexible hours ie service by appointment

Our workshop is widely acknowledged as one of the best equipped and most professional independent operations in Australia. 

150 Point Check
4WD service
Air Conditioning
Air Filtration Services
Auto Electrical
Battery Check & Replacement
Belts & Hoses
Brake & Clutch
Caravan & Trailers
Car Heating
Child Restraint Centre
Clutch Service
Cooling System Service
Custom & Restorations
CV Joints & Boots
Diesel Repairs
Green Slips
Drivetrain Services
Diagnostic & Tune
EFI
Engine Reconditioning
Engine Rebuilding
European Car Service
Exhaust Fitting & Service
Fleet Servicing Solutions
LPG Repairs
Mobile Repairs
Power Steering
Pre-Purchase Inspections
RMS Pink Slips
Roadside Assistance
Roadworthy Inspections
Safe-T-Stop
Safety Inspections
Shock Absorber service
Steering
Suspension
Towing Service
Truck repairs
Tyre Fitting & Repairs
Wheel Alignment
Wheel Balancing
Windscreens & Glass

You wont find a better level of customer service than from the friendly team at Wallan Garage.

You can rely on us to do the little things that really make a difference.

For friendly car service from a trusted independent mechanic you can rely on the team at Wallan Garage in Wallan...

Automotive Servicing and Repairs in Wallan

Getting your car's air conditioning serviced every 12 months means you may avoid costly breakdowns now and in the future and a well serviced automotive air conditioning system actually saves you money because it reduces the amount of fuel you use. 

Wallan Garage are the best choice to manage all your Automotive Air Conditioner Regas, Repairs, Servicing or Inspection needs in Wallan and the surrounding areas.

Getting your car's air conditioning serviced every 12 months means you may avoid costly breakdowns

Car air conditioning service in Wallan

Air Conditioning

For your convenience, our workshop will be open for business right through the Christmas period, except for public holidays

Wallan Garage take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 
Conveniently located in Wallan, VIC, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 
Wallan Garage have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.


Wallan Garage

Air conditioning

Related articles

Understanding RWC Roadworthy Certificates

Cabin air filters

Take some stress out of road trips with regular service

Car service in Wallan