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Pink slip, blue slip: what’s the difference?

In New South Wales, most registered light vehicles over five years old will need a safety inspection report, or ‘pink slip’, as a condition of registration renewal. A pink slip shows that the vehicle passes roadworthy standards.

If you want to register an unregistered vehicle in NSW, it’ll generally need to gain a blue slip instead. As well as passing roadworthy standards, a blue slip shows that a vehicle passes identity and design standards too.

What isn’t considered in a roadworthy inspection?

It’s a common misconception that a roadworthy certificate means the vehicle is in top condition, or that every car part has been checked over. A lot of non-safety components won’t be checked in a roadworthy inspection, such as rear window washers and electric windows. It also won’t typically include checking things like the motor, oil, or gearbox.

Further misconceptions about roadworthiness

Misconception #1: An RWC guarantees ongoing reliability

Roadworthy isn’t the same as reliable. Most roadworthy certificates are valid for a number of days or months and/or a certain number of kilometres, and they also don’t reflect mechanical condition. A roadworthy certificate is not the same as a pre-purchase inspection carried out by a mechanic, and it’s important to understand that difference – particularly if you’re about to buy a second-hand car!

Misconception #2: You have unlimited time to fix issues

If your registered car fails the first roadworthy inspection, you’ll have a set number of days to fix the issues and return for another inspection. The same goes for if the police pull you over and give you a defect notice (also known as a yellow sticker). If you fail to have those repairs completed and cleared, you can risk your car rego being suspended.

Misconception #3: All states require roadworthy certificates for private sales

While some do, not all states or territories require a roadworthy certificate prior to a car being transferred to a new owner. In some locations, like WA and SA, it’s up to the buyer to do their due diligence. Wherever you’re buying, it’s wise to get a pre-purchase inspection with a mechanic – or to buy from a reputable dealership like Carma that does comprehensive checks and provides a warranty with every pre-owned vehicle.

The key takeaway

While the terminology, reasons and processes for roadworthy certificates all vary across the country, the one consistent aim is checking immediate safety compliance. Taking the time to understand your local area's process can help keep unsafe vehicles off Aussie roads – and potentially save you a heap of hassle and heartache when it comes to buying your next car!