Leading into one of our highest risk holiday periods, this thread may serve as a timely reminder to be alert to common defects which can lead pose an immediate and serious safety risk. Between 2001 and 2006, defective vehicles contributed to 30 fatal crashes, 781 hospitalisations and 1,147 other injuries in Queensland alone. Minor defects may not seem serious and some of these examples may seem extreme, but they could still incur a vehicle defect notice...

CRACKED WINDSCREEN





Any crack or large “star” type chipping in the sweeping area of the windscreen wipers is defective. Front windscreens must not be tinted (with aftermarket tint) below the upper swept area of the wiper blade. Most cars have a factory layer of tint in built into the glass at the top of the screen to reduce sun glare. Side windows must be operational (go up and down) and you must be able to see into them. Window stickers must not be in the direct line/obscure the sight of the driver. Fine in QLD = $75.

LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

Any lighting or electrical part of a motor vehicle which is not operating deems the vehicle defective. Common areas are exterior lights such as the headlights and tail lights, rear number plate lights, horns, washer fluid not spraying, and wipers not working/not clearing windscreen. Most of these are considered minor defects. $75 fine or Drive vehicle with parts not in safe condition. $150 depending on circumstances eg. night time.



Vehicles fitted with any lighting such as those blue or pink neon lights and which are visible from outside the vehicle when driven are considered non compliant.
Fit light not covered under guidelines = $45.



WHEELS AND TYRES

Tyre wear can be easily missed. Inspect both the inside and outside of the tyre as it is common for many vehicles to wear tyres on the inside edge. Tyres are fitted with a manufacturers tread depth marker like this.



All passenger vehicles require a minimum tread depth across the surface of the tyre of 1.5 mm to be road worthy. This one would be considered a dangerous defect.



Wheel nuts should also be checked to ensure they are not loose or missing.



SUSPENSION

There are many rules to suspension, but the easiest to check legality is ride height. A vehicle must not be lower that 100mm from the lowest point of the vehicle unless the manufacturer specifications are otherwise. The front or rear of a vehicle must not be significantly lower or higher than the other. The appropriate infringement = $75.

STANDARD



NON STANDARD



An easy way to check is if the vehicle is too low, have the driver move it to flat ground. Measure an object 100mm in length, find the lowest point of the vehicle and see if it slides under it. Usually the lowest point of the vehicle is the middle of the exhaust pipe under the centre of the car or bottom of the suspension parts. If if its close, it won’t pass the test.

4x4’s which are lifted excessively are also non compliant.



EXHAUST

Exhaust systems must no be leaking, loose or fouling on any part of the body of the vehicle. Measuring of exhaust decibels requires approved equipment and defects should not be issued without approved tests being conducted. However, an appropriate fine can be given for a “cannon” type or modified muffler. Drive vehicle with modified silencing device which reduces effectiveness = $45.



Exhaust leaking or cracked:



UNDER THE BONNET

Common areas are loose batteries and terminals, emission systems missing, oil leaks. All hoses must be connected and secured. Oil and coolant leaks can also leak from around the middle of the vehicle near the transmission or differential.



INTERIOR

Common areas are dash board lights not working, seat belt buckles not working, seat belts frayed, gear shift **** missing, seats ripped, steering wheels too small (or replaced with non ADR compliant wheels), headrests missing, pedal rubbers worn.

Frayed seatbelt:



RUST

The vehicle body and chassis must be free from major rust and all panels and glass must be securely fixed to the vehicle. Surface rust on paint work is acceptable. Rust holes in the body work, around windscreens, or in the chassis is not.

MINOR



MAJOR

 

Thanks Sarge...

 

Biggest defect IMHO is the ....Drivers themselves , texting ,talking whilest driving are my pet hates as well as driving beyond their limits .


Cheers
Michael

 

Guys, take the hint. With state budgets in holes of impressive depth, revenue raising will be top priority. Not that defective cars and drivers shouldn't be the object of policely attention, but I can see that it is going to be a particularly busy time handing out ticket this Christmas/New Year. Actually, quite a good time to stay off the roads.

 

Well done Trevor. Nice thread. Just one thing to add and that is that the ride height is supposed to be measure with a full load, and that can include all passengers and full tank. So a ride height of 100mm with no one in the car can be failed.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Thanks Andrew...I'm of the understanding ride height is determined by the shortest distance between a flat surface, and any part of the vehicle. A clearance of 100 mm is provided so a car is more capable of being driven on roads that are not level, and without scraping and damaging the chassis and underbody. There is a myth a higher ride height will also adversely affect aerodynamic properties....

 

My understanding is the same, its measured from the lowest point, but as you can imagine, putting 4 x 80kg people in an rx-8 is going to compress the suspension somewhat. Therefore a car that has 100mm clearance when everyone is out of the car, is unlikely to clear 100mm with 4 x 80kg people in the car.

Make sense?

Cheers

Andrew

 

Unless the springs or OEM shocks are stuffed, I don't think 360 kgs would alter ride height that much in an RX8....but carrying the extra weight would definately hurt performance.

 

No probs, the nominal consultation fee applies....

 

My friend got done last night for tinted windows being too dark.

 

Heavy tinting on a vehicle makes it a sitting target, especially when there are Nationwide traffic enforcement blitzes on. I don't understand why people insist on buying it because they know its illegal....and so do their sellers...

 

He has a tv set to watch while he is driving so it is so it cant be seen. 2 stupid reasons I know but it is a Dodge Nitro if that helps explain the reasoning...

 

I'm sorry if I offend but is your friend mad? Its bad enough being distracted by a GPS or other ********* on the road, but he is probably to likely to kill himself but if not sure as **** kill someone else. I don't know whats more stupid, actually watching the TV or admitting to others you do it. Either way, I hope the next person he hits while not paying attention sues the crap out of him....and people wonder why the roads are so dangerous these days.

The golden rules...

Audio = OK

Hands free = OK

Anything that takes your visual attention and or hands away = Not OK.

 

what about aftermarket gauges fixed to the dash?

 

Um, Trev, questioning his sanity is a trifle redundant methinks. As Matt helpfully pointed out, he bought a Dodge Nitro. 'Nuff said.

 

I was talkingto a guy in a petrol station, who was complaining about being harrassed by the cops. It wasn't hard to figure out why, when I looked at his car...

A violent metallic pink purple, 19 or 20" bling wheels. dropped to (optimistically) 100mm clearance, black glass and a coffee can out the back. I didn't need to hear the exhaust

I was uncertain as to which transgression the police would notice first!

 

I especially love the 10 inch diameter rpm gauges you sometimes see on utes and Hyundai excels...what? the normal gauge too small for their tiny little eyes???

 

Hopefully he gets a ticket for bad taste!

Remember the chaser boys handing out 'fines' for various offences? LOL at that bloke who got one for his car and took it so seriously...