Many people think that it takes 10-15 minutes to do a registration inspection for a vehicle. This is false, because RMS has specific requirement what needs to be checked and the inspector must follow that check list to issue a safety check report,  reflecting the vehicle’s condition.

In the best possible scenario, it can take about forty minutes to an hour for all checks, tests and reports. Booking is required as we have many registration inspections per day. For more info – check Our Services page.

As a sample, some of the checks our technician must perform are:

1. Record & Check – Make, Model, Number Plate, Chassis No/VIN – against rego papers
2. Check Engine and other items in the engine bay
3. Check Driving controls, Driver’s seat, Seat belts, Mirrors, Forward vision through windscreen, etc.
4. Examine Vehicle exterior – check all doors, windows, wipers, body work, trailer coupling (if fitted), for rust, damages and proper operation
5. Test operation of all lights including parking & brake; Check aim of head lights, Head light & Number plate covers [if faded]
6. Jack up the vehicle and check the Suspension, Wheel bearing, Steering components
7. Place car on hoist & check Underbody; Sub frames; Transmission; Exhaust; Braking system components; All wheels and tyres
8. Test brake system with test brake machine

For more information – check Our Services page

We are usually busy, and if you want to avoid waiting long hours or come back another day, it is recommended to give us a call on 9337-1136 and make a booking.

For small inquiries and urgent matters, you can always come in without a booking. We try to satisfy all your vehicle related needs as soon as possible, and give you best customer service experience, but there is no guarantee, we will be able to attend to it at that moment.

We always inform the customer of their vehicle’s condition, following the inspection report.

Maybe we find faults which you didn’t come for but as we are working towards the safety of your vehicle it is our priority to inform you about any fault and leave it up to you to decide if you want to rectify the problem now, in the future or at all. We never start repairs before we inform you and get authorisation for repairs.

Yes, customer satisfaction is very important to us. Before we start a job, we will give you a quote and if you are happy with it and authorise repairs, we will commence work on your vehicle. Please remember that the prices quoted do not include GST, unless specifically noted by the sales person.

We will also inform you if we encounter further issues during the job, or if there are any possibility to encounter any problems during the job. We will give you a quote and await your authorisation to commence or continue with the replacement of parts or repairs as required.

Yes. Payment needs to be made at the completion of our work. We accept cash and all major credit cards. We also accept bank transfer but need to get the funds cleared in our bank account before releasing the vehicle.

We offer warranty on parts as per manufacturer and our workmanship is fully guaranteed – usually 12 months, depending on the job.

We can pick up or drop off in a 10km radius from Vaucluse, depending on job. Booking is required.

No, you don’t. Changes in consumer laws in 2010, confirmed that you have the right to choose who to service your vehicle, as far as it is a licensed repairer.

Yes. Despite what the new car dealer may want you to think, your new car warranty is not impacted if your vehicle is serviced according to your vehicles logbook and stamped by a licenced repairer. At Vaucluse Auto Repairs we service many new vehicles weekly.

• Prior to winter weather setting in, you should:
• Check your antifreeze/coolant level and condition. Rust coloured antifreeze/coolant means you may need to flush and refill the cooling system.
• Check the level of you motor oil. If it’s been 6 months to 6000 km since your last oil change, it should be replaced.
• Check your battery. Batteries that are weak can fail on a cold morning and your car won’t start.
• Check your wiper blades. Old, cracked and uneven wipers can obstruct your view during operation in rain, snow and ice conditions.
• Check the condition of your tires. Tires that have warn tread can mean hydroplaning on watery road and can lead to accidents.
• Check your A/C operation. Your air condition will function in the defrost mode to help defrost or remove moister from the windshields, fogged up windows can be hazardous during driving.
• Perform a brake inspection. A well-operating brake system will help stop your car, especially during wet or snowy and icy conditions.

Prior to going on a trip, you should check:

Check all lights. Check your headlights (high and low-beam), brake lights, turn signals, parking lamps and (if you have them) fog lights to make sure they are all operational. You should clean your headlights using glass cleaner to improve night visibility.

Check wiper blades. Inspect them for cracks or tears, and make sure they’re operational. If they’re in good shape, it’s still a good idea to clean the rubber blade with little glass cleaner.

Check all hoses. Look for any cracks or holes in hoses. If you find any that are not in good shape and need replacing, bring your vehicle to us to replace them

Check all belts. Inspect all belts to ensure that none are worn, lose or frayed.

Inspect the battery for signs of corrosion on the terminals

Check all fluids. Check the reservoirs to ensure that your coolant and wiper fluids are at the proper levels. Check your oil using the dipstick. Check transmission fluid, power-steering fluid and brake fluid. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for advice on checking all the fluids.

It is also a good idea to have a good set of basic tools and an emergency kit on hand, these can be purchased from most auto parts stores.

Check tire pressures

Brakes can squeak for a variety of reasons, but continuous squeals and grinding sounds may mean it’s time for new brakes. Worn brakes can mean longer stopping distances and difficulty stopping in emergency situations. Rotors and drums that are too thin may even become over-stressed and break. Remember, if you notice any of these symptoms it’s a good idea to get your brakes checked.

A brake job includes replacement of worn parts to restore the vehicle’s braking performance to its safe condition.

Brake components that should be replaced will obviously depend upon the age, kilometres travelled and wear.

A brake inspection in our workshop include inspection of the brake lining, rotors and drums, callipers and wheel cylinders, brake hardware, hoses, lines, and master cylinder. Lastly, old brake fluid should always be replaced with fresh fluid as it can be contaminated with water which can corrode brake lines and decrease braking capacity.

The “check engine” light is one of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle. It alerts the driver of a potential problem on the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic system (main computer). When the “check engine” light comes on it means that a system in your vehicle — such as ignition, fuel injection, or emission control — is not operating efficiently, even though your vehicle seems to be running fine.

If your “check engine” light comes on and it’s flashing, that indicates a more severe problem that should be checked out immediately.  When you experience a flashing light, minimize driving at high speeds, especially if you’re towing. When the “check engine” light comes on, there’s no need to panic, just make an appointment by ringing us on 02 9337-1136 to get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring your check engine light could severely damage engine components and cost you more money in the end.