What is a Blue Slip?

A blue slip inspection, also known as an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection (AUVI) report is a form of registration required by the NSW Roads and Maritimes Services (RMS), for unregistered vehicles. RMS blue slip inspections are not to be confused with other types of registration slips that are required by the NSW RMS at various other times including a pink slip/ e-Safety check which is a basic check for roadworthiness and a green slip which is compulsory third party insurance and a requirement for registration.

Read on to learn about when you need a blue slip, what is undertaken and checked during an RMS blue slip inspection, and the difference between a pink slip and blue slip and where to get a blue slip service in the Eastern Suburbs.

When Do You Need a Blue Slip?

In NSW a blue slip inspection is required in a number of different situations to ensure roadworthiness and safety of a vehicle with the inspection being more thorough and rigorous than a standard e-Safety check. A blue slip inspection will be required in one of the following circumstances;

Expired Registration

When a vehicle’s registration has expired and the vehicle has not been registered for a period of time of three months or longer, a blue slip inspection will need to be completed to ensure that the vehicle is still in a roadworthy condition and safe to drive.

Interstate of Overseas

Vehicles that have been imported from overseas or interstate and are to be registered in NSW will need to undergo a blue slip inspection, with a blue slip inspection needing to be undertaken within two weeks of the vehicle entering the state. This is to ensure that the vehicle complies with the strict NSW safety standards and is in good repair.condition

No Number Plates

When a vehicle needs to be registered and it has no number plates – which indicates that it has been unregistered for some time or has not been on the road, a blue slip inspection and identity and design check is required to ensure that all original parts are on the vehicle, such as the engine, have been legitimately sourced and that the vehicle itself has not previously been written off, stolen, or involved in fraudulent activity.

Written Off Vehicles

When a vehicle has previously been written off by an insurance company this signifies that significant damage has occured to the vehicle and a blue slip inspection will be needed to ensure that the vehicle is safe as well as an identity and design check to ensure original components of the vehicle such as the engine are still in place or if changed that they have been legitimately repurposed.

Significant Vehicle Changes

When significant modifications or repairs have been undertaken to any given vehicle, an RMS blue slip inspection is required to ensure that all vehicle modifications or repairs have been undertaken in accordance with RMS laws and to ensure vehicle safety. A design and identity check will also confirm that the parts used in any major vehicle modifications have been legally acquired and not previously been reported as stolen or illegally repurposed.

Police Defects

If you have been unlucky enough to receive a defect notice from the New South Wales Police for any reason, this defect notice will need to be cleared prior to the vehicle being considered to be legally roadworthy again. A blue slip inspection will need to be undertaken to ensure that the defect has been rectified.

What is Checked During a Blue Slip Inspection

During a typical blue slip inspection and service in the Eastern Suburbs, the following items will be checked to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and in good repair;

• Brakes
• Suspension and steering
• Lights
• Seat belt functions
• Major and minor leaks
• Tyres and wheels
• Engine/Engine components
• Exhaust system
• Towing attachments (if any)
• The overall physical condition for your vehicle
• Full design check
• Making sure there are no illegal/dangerous extensions and accessories fitted (example, light bard, a spotlight, rod holders, etc..)
• Body rust

In addition to the above checks carried out by VAR Automotive’s expert and authorised inspectors, your vehicle’s safety check will be also carried out on our state-of-the-art diagnostic machine “Safe-T-Stop” – electronically accurate PlateTronic^® equipment approved by RMS, which not only checks the braking system but also the suspension and much more.

The Difference Between a Blue And Pink Slip

With so many different coloured slips being required by the NSW RMS for the various types of vehicle registrations needed, this can sometimes become a little confusing, so let us summarise the difference between a blue slip and a pink slip and a green slip;

Green Slip

This is a Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) insurance policy that must be taken out prior to a vehicle being able to be registered. CTP insurance covers compensation payments for people injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident.

Pink Slip/ e-safety Inspection

This is a safety inspection report issued by an authorised inspection station, such a Vaucluse Auto Repairs to prove that a vehicle has passed the required roadworthy standards for registration. Vehicles more than 5 years old require a safety inspection as a condition of registration renewal.

Blue Slip Inspection

This is a safety inspection report issued by Service NSW to prove that a vehicle has passed the required roadworthy, design and identity standards for registration. You will need an RMS blue slip inspection in the following circumstances: Interstate transfers,Vehicles that have run out of registration, or vehicles that have been imported.

What is The Cost of An RMS Blue Slip Inspection

The cost of a blue slip inspection and identity and design check will vary depending on the type of vehicle that you intent on having inspected, prices are correct as of February 2022;

How long does it take for a blue slip inspection will depend on the following factors;

• If its a light vehicle, heavy vehicle, motorbike or a trailer
• If its imported vehicle from another country
• Modified and non-standard vehicles

Blue Slip Inspections at VAR

At VAR Automotive we are an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection station (AUVI), and as such are able to issue Blue Slips, Clear Defect Notices and electronically submit your RMS blue slip inspection report which is valid for 42 days from the date of issue. Whether you’re in need of a blue slip inspection in The Eastern Suburbs, or a blue slip inspection near me, contact us at VAR Automotive today for all your blue slip inspection needs.