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The Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia is the countries tourist destination and offers a wide selection of tourist attractions from them parks to endless beaches and sunshine. The Gold Coast is also famous for its car race the Gold Coast 600.
Here are some personal experiences I want to share that I experienced when I went there:
Remove or be fined!
Buying a used car in Australia is much cheaper than the surrounding countries. For example, the Nissan sedan made in 2000 as shown in the photo, we bought at a price of $2000 dollars.
But after two years of use a few problems started to arise. The cost to repair is very expensive. To improve the air conditioning and the balancing system, the total cost paid is $850 dollars. The car also needed a new Ignition and key and we would need an auto locksmith to do this work.
While we were holidaying on the Gold Coast, we decided to pay our friends a visit, we were driving our Nissan and took the main highway to her house. It was a hot day and I noticed the car was overheating. We pulled over on the side and I had to get a tow truck to the nearest mechanic as it is illegal to abandon a car on the side of the road. Our friend recommended to get the car towed to the mechanic that they use called Gold Coast Car Care and thankfully they were very close by in Ashmore.
After they assessed the car, we were told that the cost of repairs for the car would be more expensive than the actual cars value. We were advised that it would be near impossible to even sell the car or even give it away as too much work was required and it was probably only good for scrapping. In Australia it can actually cost money to get your car disposed of which really surprised me.
To dispose of it would cost $350 dollars. It felt wrong that the car was going to be just thrown away but of course we have to obey the rules that apply here. In Australia the rules and regulations for car safety are high and the mechanics all have a duty of care and with this experience we understand that the mechanics here are far more professional.
Before Buying a Vehicle in Australia, There Are Things to Understand
In different states there are different requirements to car safety and car registration. In Queensland when you purchase a new car it automatically comes with a blue slip also known as a Safety or Roadworthy Certificate. The buyer must go and arrange car registration and a Green Slip which is the compulsory 3rd party insurance that all vehicles in Australia must have.
For any secondhand cars bought before it is registered to the new owner the car must have a safety inspection done or also called a roadworthy certificate done and these cost around $85. If the car does not meet the criteria the repairs will need to be done.
Many car buyers will arrange a pre purchase inspection so they can determine if a vehicle will be a viable purchase without any costly surprises when registering it.
Once the Safety inspection is complete, there is still a Green Slip. After the vehicle is inspected and repaired by a workshop that is certified by the government, in this case RMS or Road Maritime Services, the vehicle owner is given evidence. Apart from proof of payment, it is also accompanied by safety certificate.
Already completed? Not yet. There’s still a long way to go. Because the vehicle cannot be extended if the vehicle does not have a Green Slip.
Here, the workshop does not just get a certificate, because it has to go through due diligence from the local government, that the workshop is indeed worthy of getting a license.
About Green Slip
Green Slip is a must, not an option. Known as a Compulsory Third Party (CTP). CTP is a mandatory accident insurance.
The intended accident is specifically to protect if an accident occurs that injures people, both the driver and other road users. Damage to vehicles or other objects caused by accidents is not covered by this CTP.
Reckless Driving? Vehicles Can Be Confiscated and Fined
Green Slip costs range from $ 200- 400 per year and may be paid six months, depending on vehicle type and price. When it is time to extend the vehicle tax and we have not extended it, but you are still determined to drive, you can be ticketed and the car immediately arrested.
SIM will be deducted points, known as demerit points. Each SIM holder is given a number 12 which is valid for three years. If you make a mistake, violating traffic signs, there will be demerit points.
If you frequently violate traffic rules and the 12 points are used up, your SIM is no longer valid. Since that time no longer be allowed to drive. After finishing the waiting period, you have to take the exam again from the start.
Reasons Why Australian Car Factories Go Out of Business
Competition in the Australian Automotive market can be quite strict. Being a country with a car price increase that is not too significant is a loss for manufacturers that produce cars locally in Australia. Because workers’ wages in Australia are higher than in Thailand, China or Indonesia. Outside production cars are even easier to compete with local production cars thanks to low import tariffs, or even without import tariffs. And with 64 brands competing in the Australian market, the viability of brands that rely on local production in Australia is clearly destined.
The flow of imported cars at competitive prices has made car buyers in Australia have many choices. And with so many choices, revenue from car manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota and Holden is also reduced. The ending is clear, no manufacturer can survive with minimal sales figures. The Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Thailand is also influential in this regard, not to mention the onslaught of brands from China that we know have attractive prices. Since the agreement itself, 2 million vehicles have entered Australia from exporting countries, and unfortunately Australia has only exported cars to the country in very minimal quantities, only 100 units.
It might be said that Australia has become a soft market for world automotive manufacturers, but it is not a place that provides protection for local manufacturers there. And now Thailand is the second largest contributor to vehicles after Japan in Australia. Finally, the manufacturers we mentioned at the beginning are famous for wild sedans, such as Holden with the Commodore V8, Toyota which owns the Toyota Aurion and Ford with the Ford Falcon, all of which are sold in Australia. But the shift in tastes that speak, the SUV market is now eating the Sedan market which previously could be said to be a favorite in Australia. So, that does not mean if a manufacturer with a long historical value like Ford, Holden and Toyota in Australia will always face a smooth road. The role of government as well as careful observation of competitors and regulations is still needed to deal with uncertain market conditions in the future.