Who can do a mobile roadworthy here?
Only an approved inspection station, whether it tests at a workshop or drives out to the car. Queensland's Find an AIS tool searches by suburb or postcode and can narrow the list to stations offering a mobile inspection. Its results rely on third-party information, the department says, so confirm with the station itself.
Coming to the car makes sense on a coast that runs about 60 km from Pelican Waters to Tewantin, with Maleny and Montville up on the range behind it. It also suits a car with a known fault that you'd rather not drive far.
What Sunshine Coast sellers run into
Salt under beach 4WDs
The inspection covers body rust or damage, mainly where it weakens the car. If your 4WD has been on the sand at Cooloola, RACQ's advice is to clean under it as soon as practical after each trip, and a thorough underbody rinse before the inspection lets the inspector see what's actually there.
The 2,000 km limit
A private seller's certificate also runs out at 2,000 km. Noosa Heads is 135 km north of Brisbane, so a seller still commuting down the Bruce Highway can use that up well before the 2 months are over. Get the inspection close to when the car is listed.
Cars moving up from interstate
Bringing a car onto Queensland registration from another state or territory needs a safety certificate too. Tell the station it's an interstate car when you arrange the inspection.
Across the river
Noosa North Shore has no road or bridge, only the cable ferry at Tewantin. If the car's over there, say so in the note, because not every mobile station will make the crossing.
Before the inspector arrives
- Rinse the underbody, wheel arches and chassis rails if the car has been on the sand.
- Check every light: headlights, brake lights, indicators and the number plate light.
- Pump tyres back to the placard pressure if they were let down for the beach, and look for cuts or uneven wear.
- Look for cracks or chips in the windscreen in front of the driver.
- For a mobile inspection, park on flat ground off the road with space around the car.
- Write the odometer reading down on the day, so you can track the distance limit.
Where we'd start
We'd rinse the car underneath if it's been anywhere near the beach, fix the lights and tyres we already knew about, and arrange the inspection the week we list it. If we wanted the station to come out, we'd put that in the note along with the street the car is on.