Do You Need a Roadworthy Certificate to Sell a Car in Victoria?

If you're selling a car in Victoria, one of the first questions is usually: do I need a roadworthy certificate? Here's a clear, plain-English answer.

What a roadworthy certificate is

A Certificate of Roadworthiness (commonly called an RWC or roadworthy) confirms a vehicle meets the minimum safety standards required to be driven on Victorian roads. It covers key safety items — not the car's overall condition or mechanical perfection.

When you need one to sell

In Victoria you generally need a current roadworthy certificate to transfer a registered vehicle to a new owner. In other words, if the car is registered and you're selling it to someone who'll keep it registered, an RWC is normally part of the transfer.

When you might not need one

There are some situations where an RWC isn't required at the point of your sale, including:

• Selling the vehicle unregistered (for example, sold as-is without registration) — though the buyer will then need one to register it.
• Selling to a licensed motor car trader — the dealer handles roadworthy requirements as part of how they on-sell the car.
• Certain exemptions apply — always confirm your specific situation with VicRoads.

How long an RWC lasts

A roadworthy certificate in Victoria is valid for 30 days from the date it's issued. Because the window is short, it's best to arrange the RWC close to when you actually expect the sale to complete.

Who can issue one, and what's checked

Roadworthy certificates are issued by licensed vehicle testers — many suburban mechanics and workshops are licensed to inspect and issue them. A test typically covers items such as brakes, steering and suspension, tyres, seatbelts, lights, windscreen and body condition.

Costs vary between testers, so it's worth asking up front. If the car needs repairs to pass, you can have those done and the vehicle re-inspected.

Selling without a roadworthy

You can still get an offer on your car without having a roadworthy in hand. When you sell to a dealer or consignment service like Direct Auto, you simply tell us the car's RWC status and we factor it in and talk you through the options — you don't need to sort the certificate before getting a fair, no-obligation offer.