By law, any car on South African roads must be roadworthy. Before a car can be sold, a roadworthy certificate must be obtained from an official private or public testing station. Without an official roadworthy certificate you cannot register a car in your name. Checking tyre pressure, oil and water does not mean your car is roadworthy!

During a roadworthiness test the following will be checked: your car’s documentation and identification, brakes, suspension, steering, engine, exhaust, transmission, electrical system, fittings, dimensions and safety equipment. Safety equipment includes mirrors and safety belts.

Should you take your car for a roadworthy test remember to take all your documents, including the registration certificate with you. A fee is payable for the testing and issue of a certificate. Details of testing sites and a copy of the official roadworthy test sheet are available on the internet.

Before undertaking any long journey, always inspect your car. Check that brakes and lights are working properly, also check tyres, brake fluid and your windscreen wipers. We all have a responsibility to improve the safety on South African roads.

A very important point to note is that roadworthiness is listed in car insurance policies as a condition to paying out claims. If the insurance company can prove that your car was not roadworthy at the time of an accident your claim will be refused.