Windscreen wipers cracked and broken, bald tyres and busted brake lights – these are just a few reasons your car can be defected. Read on to learn about other car problems that could put you at risk of receiving a defect notice.
Words: John Pedler
Illustrations: Cat Dean
Checking vehicles are safe and roadworthy is the responsibility of SA Police and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). If they identify a fault that risks your safety or the safety of other road users, or your vehicle doesn’t comply with Road Traffic Rules, it could be defected.
If this happens, you’ll receive a defect notice, a label will be attached to the vehicle’s windscreen, and you’ll need to promptly fix the issue or risk a hefty fine. Here are five ways your car can be defected.
1. MUDGUARDS
Mudguards must cover the full width of the tyre when viewed from directly above. This is to prevent other road users from coming into direct contact with the exposed, upper part of a moving wheel. They also help deflect downwards any stones, mud, water or other material flicked up by the tyres.
If tyres extend beyond the width of the mudguards, you could receive a defect notice. Mudguards, including any fitted mud flap, must be no higher than 230mm from the ground, or 300mm for off-road vehicles.
2. WINDSCREEN WIPERS AND WASHERS
Cars built after 1972 must have functioning windscreen wipers with working washers to ensure drivers can see clearly through the windscreen in most driving conditions.
An empty washer bottle could land you with a defect notice. Of course, police can’t spot an empty container from the road, but they might check under the bonnet if you’re pulled over for other suspected defects.
3. TYRES AND WHEELS
Tyres are a car’s only point of contact with the road, so it’s vital they’re in good nick. A car can be defected if any tyres are showing damage or significant wear.
You risk a defect if the tyre tread has worn down to the tread wear indicator bars or a depth less than 1.5mm. This applies across the full width of each tyre.
Tyres on vehicles made after 1972 must be of the same carcass type. For example, they must be all radial or all bias (cross-ply) tyres – not a mix of both styles. The combined diameter of wheels and tyres on passenger cars built on or after 1 January 1973 must be within 15mm of the tyre diameter shown on the vehicle’s tyre placard. Four-wheel-drives can have tyres with a diameter increase up to 50mm greater than shown on the placard, but can only have a decrease in tyre diameter of up to 15mm.
The placard – usually located inside the driver’s door, in the glovebox or inside the fuel filler flap – shows a wealth of information, including tyre size, pressure, speed rating and maximum load rating.
Wheel rims can’t be buckled, bent or cracked; and wheel studs and nuts must be in good condition, with no studs or nuts missing. There are many other compliance regulations for wheels and tyres, so it’s worth checking the rules before making any modifications to your car.
4. LIGHTS AND SIGNALS
One of the most obvious defects is a non-working light or signal, including brake lights, headlights and indicators. Anyone who’s suddenly pulled up behind a vehicle with no brake lights would appreciate their value.
It’s important to regularly check that all lights and signals are working correctly, including often-forgotten number plate lights.
Drivers who enjoy the dazzle of undercar neon lights will likely find themselves clutching a defect notice when they hit the road for a night out. These lighting installations are illegal, while flashing red and blue lights are only permitted on emergency vehicles.
Apart from indicators, amber flashing lights are only allowed on special-use vehicles, like tow trucks, RAA patrol vans and other vehicles operating in hazardous conditions.
5. BULL BARS
Bull bars fitted to vehicles manufactured after 1 July 2013, with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) less than 3.5 tonnes, must conform to the shape of the vehicle and comply with the Australian Standard. This is to prevent the installation of hazardous upright and forward-facing bull bars that can be dangerous for other road users.
Bull bars must be free of sharp protrusions, so it’s illegal to attach fishing rod holders to the front of a bull bar. You could also receive a defect notice if the bull bar blocks the vehicle’s lights or the driver’s view.
Vehicles with airbags can only have a bull bar fitted that’s been approved by the vehicle manufacturer, or has been proven by the bull bar maker to comply with relevant Australian Design Rules, and doesn’t interfere with an airbag’s operation.
6. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A DEFECT NOTICE?
Depending on the type of defect, police may allow the vehicle to be checked at a police station, and if the fault(s) has been fixed, the defect label may be removed.
However, if the defect hasn’t been effectively corrected, or other issues are found, police may re-defect the vehicle and they could refer it to DIT for inspection.
DIT will not only check the listed defect(s), they’ll also carry out a thorough roadworthy inspection. If a defect notice requires a DIT inspection, you’ll need to organise a booking and pay a $227 fee for the first inspection and $128 for subsequent inspections.
Do you need car advice?
RAA’s Car Advice team can help. Call 8202 4689 or email caradvice@raa.com.au
