It is a common misconception that a Queensland safety certificate, what used to be known as a ‘roadworthy’, is a comprehensive mechanical inspection that ensures a vehicle is in a good, reliable condition.

In fact, it only covers certain specified items to confirm the vehicle meets the minimum basic safety standards.

It isn’t required to identify all defects and even with a valid certificate, other faults or major mechanical issues could be present.

So, when buying a used vehicle, a professional pre-purchase inspection remains a ‘must have’.

In Queensland, a current safety certificate is required when selling a registered car or other light vehicle up to 4,500kg GVM, a trailer or caravan with ATM 750kg–3,500kg, or a motorcycle.

Certificates are also required when transferring to Queensland registration from another state or territory, or when re-registering an unregistered vehicle.

The certificate must be obtained from an approved inspection station before disposing of the vehicle.

Since 1 September 2021 the requirement to obtain the certificate before offering the vehicle for sale has been removed, though you can still obtain one if you wish.

So, sellers can advertise the vehicle for sale including online, at a motor dealership forecourt, in traditional print media or on the vehicle itself, without holding a current certificate.

Once a buyer is found, the certificate will be required to transfer the registration or for the re-registration process.

When buying, make sure the certificate is valid and has enough time left on it to complete the transfer.

A safety certificate is only valid for a limited period and can only be used for one transaction within that timeframe.

For private sales that period is two months or 2,000km (whichever comes first) and for a dealer sale, three months or 1,000km (whichever comes first).

It’s the seller’s legal responsibility to obtain the certificate and complete any repairs necessary to obtain it.

Buyers should never agree to get their own safety certificate as any repair costs will become their responsibility.

A certificate is not required if the vehicle is sold/traded to a licensed dealer or is sold unregistered.

There are certain other limited exemptions such as remote areas and transfer between spouses.

Vehicles fitted with LPG (including caravans, and campers) will also require a current gas certificate.