Roadworthy Pre-Test Checklist South Africa

1. Booking and documents

• Testing station is registered and authorised for the vehicle class.
• Booking time, address and arrival instructions are confirmed.
• Complete price is confirmed, including certificate issue and retest terms.
• Vehicle registration certificate is available as required.
• Acceptable identification and any requested copies are ready.
• ACR form and payment method are confirmed.

2. Vehicle identity and basic condition

• Registration number matches the documents.
• VIN or chassis number is visible and matches the records.
• Number plates are present, secure and readable.
• Vehicle is reasonably clean enough for identifiers and components to be examined.
• No unsafe loose items or unnecessary heavy loads are carried.
• Doors, bonnet and boot open, close and secure normally.

3. Lights and electrical equipment

• Headlights operate on the required settings.
• Front and rear indicators work and flash consistently.
• Brake lights illuminate correctly.
• Tail lights and number-plate lights work.
• Reverse lights and hazard lights work where fitted.
• Horn and required dashboard instruments operate.

4. Glass, visibility and fittings

• Windscreen has no obvious damage that seriously affects required visibility.
• Wipers clear the glass effectively.
• Windscreen washers spray correctly.
• Required mirrors are secure and usable.
• Windows and required fittings are secure.
• Driver's field of view is not obstructed.

5. Tyres and wheels

• Tyres have no obvious cuts, bulges, exposed cords or severe damage.
• Tread condition appears adequate and wear is not extreme or dangerously uneven.
• Tyres are inflated to a suitable pressure.
• Wheel nuts or bolts are present and secure.
• Wheels show no obvious severe damage.
• Spare-wheel or emergency equipment is secure where carried.

6. Brakes

• Service brakes operate without obvious weakness or severe pulling.
• Parking brake holds and releases normally.
• No brake warning light remains on without explanation.
• No obvious brake-fluid leak is visible.
• No severe grinding, scraping or abnormal braking noise is present.
• Brake pedal feel is not obviously abnormal.

7. Steering, suspension and undercarriage

• Steering operates smoothly without obvious excessive play.
• Vehicle does not pull severely or feel difficult to control.
• No major knocking or clunking is heard over normal movement.
• No visibly broken or insecure suspension component is apparent.
• No dangerous item hangs beneath the vehicle.
• No obvious severe chassis or underbody damage is visible.

8. Seats, safety belts and equipment

• Required seat belts latch and release.
• Belts are not visibly cut, badly frayed or detached.
• Seats are reasonably secure.
• Required controls and fittings are secure and usable.
• Interior items do not interfere with driving controls.
• Any required vehicle-class equipment is present.

9. Engine, exhaust, transmission and leaks

• Vehicle starts and runs reliably enough to be tested.
• No severe fluid leak is visible beneath the vehicle.
• Exhaust system appears secure and not excessively noisy.
• No obvious excessive smoke is produced.
• Transmission selects gears and drive normally enough for examination.
• Required driver instruments do not show an unexplained serious fault.

10. Final preparation

• Known safety faults have been assessed or repaired by a competent person.
• Fuel or charge level is sufficient for the appointment.
• Keys, immobiliser or alarm instructions are available.
• The person attending knows who to contact if the vehicle fails.
• Sale or registration deadlines allow time for repairs and retesting.
• A separate mechanical inspection is arranged if buying the vehicle.

Notes and defects to investigate