Tag Archives: safety certificates

Regular tyre maintenance and tyre repairs will help keep you safe and save you money

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How often do you check your tyre pressure? Chances are, probably not enough but given incorrect tyre pressure can cost you more in fuel, more in tyre repairs and reduce the life of your tyre – it’s time to pay those tyres some attention.

Even if you get your car serviced regularly, it still doesn’t hurt to check your tyre pressure when you have a chance, especially if you’ve been on a long drive or better still – before you go on a longer journey as it can help keep you and your family safe!

Correct tyre pressure can offer loads of benefits including:

  • Longer tyre lifespan – replace your tyres less often as a properly inflated tyre will wear more evenly, while under or overinflated tyres dip or buldge in all the wrong places causing uneven wear and tear
  • Less fuel consumption – having properly inflated tyres means they are operating at peak performance, reducing pressure on your wallet at the pump
  • A more comfortable ride – over or under inflated tyres can compromise your suspension and make pot holes and road shocks not only more uncomfortable for you and your passengers but can also more easily damage your tyres and wheel rims
  • A safer ride – not to mention legal and insured ride!

When it comes to checking your tyre pressure, a good mechanic will always show you how, so just ask the question! At Gold Coast Mechanic, we’ll always take the time to make sure you understand your car and how to run it at peak performance.

There are usually air and water pumps free of charge at most petrol stations on the Gold Coast and around Australia – so when you fill up with fuel, take the time to check your tyres and you’ll enjoy the financial rewards. Did you know that in the UK, fuel stations charge for use of the air pump to cover the electricity? It’s about a pound so enjoy your free access to air.

If you’re wondering how much air is “optimal” bear in mind that the amount listed in your car manual is a minimum amount. Quality mechanics, such as Gold Coast Mechanics will usually advise to add a little extra than the recommended minimum to ensure optimal performance. Ask us at Gold Coast Mechanic what pressure is best suited to your vehicle as most models have different needs.

If you’re looking to enhance your tyre life even more, consider regular tyre rotation, where our mechanic on the Gold Coast can rotate your tyres to ensure a longer lifespan. Tyre rotations vary depending on the type of car, the wear on the tyre and the quality of your spare tyre.

Even if you don’t have time to regularly check your pressure – always have a quick scout at the tread on your tyres and look for any uneven wear, rocks, nails or obstructions embedded in your tyre. Finding a nail doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new tyre as a good mechanic can do a puncture repair in minutes, often not even needing to put your car on the hoist.

Also keep an eye on your tyres for uneven bulges or “bald” spots on the thread. Balding tyres can be a hazard to your family as it increases braking distance and can cause you to slip and slide, particularly in wet weather. Any steel wires coming from the tyre is an URGENT sign to have your tyres looked at, as this means it’s on the verge of blowing out, which can cause serious accidents, particularly when driving at speed on highways.

The police can issue on the spot fines for unroadworthy tyres and your insurance may find reason to not cover your claim if bald tyres are to blame, so it’s definitely worth having your tyres checked regularly. If you’re buying or selling a car, tyres must also meet the safety certificate guidelines.

We handle thousands of puncture repairs on the Gold Coast each year and can provide approved Qld safety certificates on the Gold Coast. We also have some of the best prices available so give us a call today and let our friendly Gold Coast Mechanics assist you!

What’s in a roadworthy or safety certificate? How not to buy a lemon

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Thinking about selling your registered car, motorbike, trailer or caravan? In Queensland, you are legally required to have a Roadworthy or safety certificate, commonly referred to as RWC, to transfer ownership of a registered vehicle to another person.

We do get it better than other states though, in NSW for example, you have to get regular roadworthy certificates to maintain annual registration, whereas in Queensland, you are only required to have one when you are selling a car!

So what goes into a RWC and what’s the process?

A qld safety certificate consists of two inspection appointments.

At the first inspection appointment, the Queensland Department of Transport Approved Inspection Station mechanic will look at:

• tyres
• brakes
• steering
• suspension
• body rust or damage
• windscreen
• lights.

If the vehicle passes on all accounts, you’ll be provided with an approved queensland safety certificate and you’re free to sell your vehicle.

If it fails to satisfy any of the safety criteria, it will be crossed on the first inspection tickboxes. You then have 14 days to repair the issue(s) and take it back to the same mechanic for a final inspection. You must take it back to the same mechanic for the final inspection.

If you thought you’d flog off your car because you didn’t want to complete any mechanic repairs, you may have to consider selling the car unregistered as you need to display your approved safety certificate to sell the car legally registered.

If you think you’re going to be smart or tricky and place the word “interested” along with your phone number or “buy me” and hope to get away with it without an approved certificate, think again as the Department of Transport are pretty savvy and as outlined on their website, you can cop up to a $550 fine for trying to sell a vehicle without a safety certificate.

The safety certificate is there for all of us – it ensures that registered vehicles are operating safely on our roads and gives you better selling power, as the buyer knows the minimum safety standards are being met.

A Queensland safety certificate is valid for two months from the date of issue and we are experts regarding safety certificates on the Gold Coast.

If you’re looking to buy a vehicle and it has a valid safety certificate Qld, bear in mind that this is not an evaluation of the complete mechanical picture – you should always have a professional mechanic complete a full inspection to ensure you’re not buying a lemon.

The safety certificate only considers the basic elements and doesn’t take into account the more extensive wear and tear under the bonnet.

For the ultimate peace of mind, always have your vehicle inspected by an experienced mechanic, simply call us today on (07) 5563 2905 or pop into the workshop at 10/645 Pine Ridge Road, Coombabah.

If you’d like more information, the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads also offers a buyer and seller checklist.

 

All mechanical repairs – Gold Coast

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So you need a Gold Coast mechanic to look after your car? You’ve come to the right place.

We’re family owned and operated on the Gold Coast since 1988 – 25 years!

We are:
Caltex Coombabah Workshop, we have relocated after 25 years at our previous address at 390 Oxley Drive Coombabah/Runaway Bay, QLD 4216, Australia. Our new address is Unit 10 645 Pine Ridge Road Biggera Waters.

Firstly, if you have any urgent issues please phone 07 5563 2905 and speak to someone who cares. Guaranteed human every time!

Now onto what we do:
We specialise in log book servicing, brakes, the latest in computer diagnostics and safety certificates (roadworthy certificates – RWC), and we offer FREE drop off and pick up within 5km of our workshop, we can arrange pick up and drop off’s further abroad for a fee. Bookings are essential.

We realise that once you’re onto a good thing you’ll want to stick to it, so we provide quality parts, and honest labor across the following:

* tyres & wheel balancing
* steering & steering alignment
* suspension
* disc & drum brakes (new parts, and servicing of existing parts), brake fluid
* windscreens & windscreen washers
* lights
* batteries & fuel cleaner.

Click for full list of mechanical services.

If you don’t see what you’re after give us a call and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction: 07 5563 2905

Our Gold Coast operation is fully licensed by Queensland Transport, so you can trust our safety inspections will keep you and your family safe.

For friendly, reliable & trustworthy service call us today on 07 5563 2905

Biggera Waters workshop, Unit 10 – 645 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland, Australia.