Roadworthy and Car Insurance
When we hear the word roadworthy we usually think taxi’s and busses, probably because we hear about them being involved in serious accidents so often. Quite frequently, as well, it turns out that these vehicles were not roadworthy. But do you ever consider if your own car is roadworthy?

The law and roadworthiness
It is a legal requirement that every car on South African roads must be in a roadworthy condition. What constitutes a roadworthy car will be laid down by the local authorities. All busses, taxis and trucks must undergo a roadworthy test annually and the owners will not be able to renew their licences without the presentation of a valid roadworthy certificate.

Buying second hand cars and roadworthy certificates
When cars change ownership you also need to present a roadworthy certificate before the car can be registered in your name. Usually the dealer selling you the car will take care of this on your behalf, but if it is a private deal you will have to make the arrangements yourself.

What do car insurance companies say about roadworthiness?
Roadworthiness is a pre-requisite of taking out car insurance. If you read your car insurance policy document you will find that your insurance company clearly states that they are not obliged to meet any of your insurance claims should it be found that your car was not roadworthy at the time of an accident and that the un-roadworthiness was the cause of the accident.

Does the insurance company test your car for being roadworthy?
No, it does not. Making sure that your car is in a roadworthy condition is one hundred percent your responsibility. When you take out car insurance you have to take the car for an inspection. The person carrying out the inspection may pick up items such as worn tyres but they do not perform a roadworthy test on the car.

If you take out third party insurance only you do not even have to take your car for this test but, if you cause an accident and your car was not roadworthy, your insurance company will probably not pay out your third party claim.

How old is your car?
You may have bought your car a number of years ago and obviously obtained a roadworthy certificate at the time. However, that is no guarantee that your car is currently roadworthy.

Driving a car that is not roadworthy is seen by insurance companies as being reckless and they do not insure recklessness. Apart from that, it is also against the law to drive a car that is not roadworthy.

So, how do you know that your car is still roadworthy?
During a test carried out by the National Vehicle Testing Association on more than 1 000 cars in Kwa Zulu and the Western Cape it was found that up the 80% of the cars on South African roads were not in a roadworthy condition. On the strength of these statistics the Retail Motor Industry organization has requested the government to implement compulsory testing of car on a regular basis.

Just another money making racket?
Motorists in general will probably feel that compulsory roadworthy testing would be just another way to make more money out of them. If motorists would accept responsibility for their own lives, and that of others, compulsory testing on a regular basis will not be necessary. But…unfortunately, if one look at the statistics, it certainly seems as if a large percentage of drivers on our roads are not responsible.

Taking your car for a roadworthy test
If you consider the serious repercussions of driving an un-roadworthy car you may decide that it is time to take your car for a test. Where do you go? You will find details of testing sites and a copy of the official roadworthy test sheet on the internet. This will give you a clear indication of everything that is looked at during the inspection.

Take all your documents, including the registration certificate with you as this forms part of the inspection. A fee is payable for the test and issuing of a certificate.

Corruption rears its ugly head once again
The anti-corruption unit in Gauteng won an award in 2008 for the work they are doing auditing licence and roadworthy test sites in Gauteng to get rid of corrupt officials. Drivers who paid for fraudulent roadworthy certificates are identified and have to retest their cars.

If drivers do not adhere to the instruction there cars are identified on eNaTIS as un-roadworthy. So, make sure that you deal with a legal testing centre when taking your car for a test.

Back to car insurance and roadworthy cars
We often make insurance companies out to be the bad boys, yet, one has to wonder, if you look the figures, how often the car insurance companies do pay out on client’s claims even if the cars were not roadworthy…just a thought.

Having said that - Don’t take a chance, if you cause an accident because your wiper blades were not working properly and you are the cause of an accident you could be left without insurance cover and having to face third party claims for which the authorities will take no responsibility (referring to the Road Accident Fund.)

Go ahead, do the right thing and have your car checked.