Review on roadworthies to cut car costs A proposal for Victorians to be able to sell cars less than five years old without a roadworthy certificate could save up to $73 million a year. VICTORIANS could soon be able to sell cars less than five years old without a roadworthy certificate. The proposal - which could save Victorians up to $73 million a year according to the State Government - is a move to slash red tape. Treasurer Michael O'Brien will today announce that VicRoads will consult the public over the proposal to cut the roadworthy, which can cost between about $70 and $200. The consultation will consider whether roadworthy certificates should be banished for vehicles under five years old or if the Government should opt for a less radical plan to bin them for cars less than three years of age. The idea to cut red tape was first floated in January in the Sunday Herald Sun by the government's Red Tape Commissioner John Lloyd. Mr O'Brien said the change would bring significant savings in time, convenience and money for car owners changing vehicles. "Most companies and fleet operators change over their vehicles regularly and there will be significant savings for them if they don't have to get a road worthiness certificate every time there's a change of ownership," he said. If you have a newer car, which has been regularly serviced, it's unlikely there would be any need to check many of the items which are standard for a roadworthiness test. Roadworthy certificates are issued by independent testers at garages and service stations licensed by VicRoads to carry out inspections. The key safety features of a car - including the tyres, brakes, steering, seatbelts and lights - are checked to see if a vehicle can be driven safely. Certificates last for 30 days from the date they are issued, and while costs vary depending on a car's condition, roadworthy checks are usually between about $70 and $200. The government predicts the move to slash the need for a roadworthy could save Victorians up to $73 million a year. The requirement for inspections of items like tyres or brakes will be maintained, Mr O'Brien said, as these are the areas which accident statistics show are the most likely cause of defect-related crashes. "This would reduce the time required for a roadworthy, which should lead to a reduction in the cost, which is currently around $150," he said. Buyers or sellers of newer cars will still be able to choose to have a broader safety inspection done if they wish.