A safety inspection report (eSafety check or pink slip as it was also known) is required for all light vehicles older than 5 years for the purposes of registration renewal within in NSW.
Safety inspection reports are performed at authorised inspection stations with the results electronically lodged with Service NSW. NSW safety inspection reports are only valid for 6 months, excluding public passenger vehicles.
Find a safety inspection provider online
Areas for inspection include:
- Tyre quality and tread depth
- Vehicle body condition
- Working electrics such as headlights, blinkers, interior lights and dash lights
- Engine/suspension/exhaust and driveline condition
- Seatbelt condition
- Engine and driveline fluid leaks
- Brake efficiency test
The reasons why annual registration inspections exist is to assess a vehicle's road worthiness which in turn affects passenger safety.
This is in no way a guarantees the long term 'reliability' of a vehicle, but rather as a means to assess a vehicle's road worthiness at particular point in time.
Bear in mind that you don’t necessarily have to wait until your current registration has near expired, as a safety inspection may be undertaken anywhere up to six months prior to the registration expiration date. Motorserve car servicing can perform safety inspection reports for all light vehicles, motorcycles, caravans and trailers in NSW.
If the registration has expired, an Unregistered Vehicle Permit will be required to drive the vehicle, unless the vehicle is transported via a tow truck.
Conversely, should you choose to drive an unregistered vehicle make sure you are within the law or you may receive a series of Police infringement notices exceeding $1200 in total.
What happens if my vehicle fails its inspection?
If your car fails its initial roadworthy inspection, a white slip failure notice will be issued by the inspector, this allows the vehicle's owner to have the necessary repairs undertaken for the purposes of re-inspection within 14 days. Additional charges do not apply for a safety re-inspection provided the vehicle is returned to the same inspection station.
A new safety inspection report will be required if the necessary repairs are not carried out within this time frame.
