I used to live south of Hobart near cygnet, and the mechanic there was great. He listened to what you wanted done, and didn't replace everything under the sun. And he had no problem with me doing most of my repairs myself.

When we were moving we needed our unregistered valiant ap5 off the property, so we brought it in there for a roadworthy, expecting it to fail so then we could move it to the new property without registering it yet. Funnily enough, he seemed to trust my mechanical knowledge and passed it, even though it had no interior lights, rust in the doors and the wipers didn't work. I think he just took it for a drive, checked the brakes (which work great) and checked the lights, and presumed that everything else (the 'easy' stuff) was alright.

So it's not registered, but it still has a few issues, like how you can't drive it in the rain.

1) They will always check for tread. Don't bother with crapped out tyres. I've never seen a mechanic measure your wheel diameter though. If they do, put stock wheels on it and then bring it back. Go home, put your mags back on.

2. I don't think they care so long as one is attached.

3. Most recent blue slip I did, the emissions were not checked. Never heard of anyone else being pinged for it either, unless your engine is obviously smoky - i.e. symptomatic of other significant issues. Noise has to be within reason. Again, if you've got a boofy exhaust in mind put it on after you get the blue slip. Like everyone else does. Then it's up to Mr Plod to pull you over if he can be bothered, instead of Straighty-180 blue slipper getting all fussy about it. But surely common sense will prevail and you'll know what is too much noise??

4. They will always check these. And they should always work.

5. They will always check these. And they should always work.

6. They will sometimes complain if seat material is broken - put a car cover over it. They will sometimes check to see that the seats don't wobble. Wobble it yourself before you go and tighten it up. Frayed seatbelts should be replaced - always.

7. It's rare for them to send you to a weighbridge. If they do they're a wally. Get a new mechanic.

The most important thing for a blue slip is to present a nice clean car. Clean inside (no empty macca's packets, no coke cans rolling around on the floor), no greasy steering wheel. Clean windows all the way around, painted tyres and most certainly washed and polished.

The engine should also be clean.

There is a mind set to inspectors. If they see a grotty car then they sense other problems and will go looking for them. If they see good clean car that drives well then they wont go looking for problems.

Having said that, the car must be right in the first place in terms of all the normal safety items, such as brakes, steering components, tyre tread, fumes etc etc.

Mike

The other thing about a blue slip is the numbers. They have to be able to read the numbers.
Clean the engine and body numbers so that they can be clearly read. If they stuff them up it can cause problems.

Yep... it certainly can...

_________________
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