Pink Slip Checklist

An eSafety (or pink slip) inspection report ensures that your vehicle is safe and ready for the road.

What do they check in e-Safety Checks?

The mechanic or inspector will check:

Tyre quality and tread depth:

The mechanic will check the tyres for any signs of wear and tear, and measure the tread depth to make sure it meets the legal requirements. Tyres are an important part of the car, providing control and grip on the road. If they are worn, cracked, or have a tread depth less than 1.6 mm, your car is likely to fail the pink slip inspection.

Vehicle body condition:

The body of the vehicle will be checked for any rust, accident damage or other issues.

Working electrics such as headlights, blinkers, interior lights and dash lights:

The most common reason for a car to fail its e-Safety inspection is due to issues with the lights. The mechanic will test all the electrics in the vehicle, including the headlights, blinkers, interior lights and dash lights. Make sure to check them all before taking your car in for the test. If any light is not working properly, it needs to be fixed before the car can pass the e-Safety inspection. Any issues with lights, such as cracks or loose fittings, should be repaired before the inspection.

Pay special attention to the dashboard warning lights. Many drivers tend to ignore the warning lights on their vehicles, especially those in orange colour such as: the Tyre pressure low warning light, Service required indicator or the Airbag warning. However, if any of these warning lights are on at the time of inspection, the vehicle will fail the test. So, if you do not want to fail your car’s pink slip inspection, make sure to check all the warning lights before taking it in.

Seats and seatbelts:

Seats and seatbelts are important safety components in your car. They will be checked for damage, including cuts and frays, to ensure that they are in good condition and working well. The seatbelts will be checked for any signs of wear and tear.

Braking system:

The brake efficiency test checks the functionality of your brakes. If your brakes are not working properly, you may fail the pink slip inspection. Worn brake pads or discs can cause problems. The mechanic will also check the park brake and ABS operation.

Windscreen:

A very common reason cars fail the pink slip inspection is a windscreen with chips or cracks. Before taking your car to the mechanic, check your windscreen for any signs of damage. Most of the time, these issues can be repaired without replacing the whole screen. To pass the test, your windscreen should be free from any chips, cracks, or scratches. You can also fail the pink slip inspection if the windscreen has abrasions or discoloration (including tinting) that reduce the driver’s visibility.

Battery:

The battery is one of the vital parts of a car or motorcycle, and if there are any problems with it, the car may fail its pink slip test. Batteries must be clean and in good working order for the vehicle to pass.

Steering:

The mechanic will check the steering for wear and tear, and make sure that the steering is free of any obstructions. The inspector will also check the steering for any loose parts, and make sure that the steering is properly aligned.

Engine and driveline fluid leaks:

The mechanic will check the engine bay for any leaks in the engine or driveline fluids. Pay special attention to oil leaks from the engine or gearbox as these are, together with the lights, one of the main reasons for failing the inspection, but can also cause serious damage to your vehicle.

Suspension and drivetrain:

Your car’s suspension suffers a lot on Australian roads, so the mechanic will occasionally find leaking shock absorbers or worn suspension bushings.

Exhaust system operation:

Make sure that your exhaust system is working properly and that it does not emit excessive exhaust fumes.

Wiper blades:

When it rains, or when mud and dirt build up on our windscreens, we rely on our wipers to keep our vision clear. But how often do we think about how important it is that our wipers are working properly?

It is easy to take it for granted that our wipers will do their job when we need them. But the truth is, if they are not in good condition, they can pose a serious safety hazard.

Wipers are made of rubber and, over time, the rubber can deteriorate. This can cause the wiper blades to become brittle and break. If this happens while driving, it can be very dangerous.

That is why it is so important to make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. It is also a good idea to keep a spare set of wipers in your car. That way, if the mechanic finds them to be in poor condition, you may be allowed to replace them with the ones you have in the boot and pass the inspection.

Horn:

If your car’s horn is not working correctly, it will fail the safety check. Make sure to check the horn before booking your car in for the test to avoid any issues. The horn is a vital safety component that helps you alert other drivers and pedestrians to your presence. Without it, you could be putting yourself in danger.

If your vehicle is a motorbike or a caravan there may be some items in this list that differ or do not apply, but they are essentially the same.

If your vehicle fails its pink slip inspection, you will need to have these repaired before your vehicle can be re-inspected.

If you finish the repairs within 14 days and take the vehicle back to the same pink slip provider for reassessment, you will not have to pay any additional inspection fees.

Find an eSafety Check provider

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