Maintenance
Vehicle Defect Checklist
The defects most likely to earn a heavy vehicle a minor or major defect notice in Australia, and how to find them before an inspector does.
5 min read
The short version
- A minor defect can usually be repaired and cleared; a major defect grounds the vehicle.
- Lights, tyres, brakes and coupling account for most roadside defects.
- A written maintenance record is your evidence that the fault was not neglected.
High-risk items
- Tyres: tread depth, sidewall damage, mismatched sizes, exposed cords.
- Brakes: air leaks, slack adjusters out of range, contaminated linings.
- Lights and reflectors: any inoperative lamp, cracked lens or obscured reflector.
- Coupling: turntable wear, locking jaw condition, kingpin play.
- Suspension and airbags: leaks, cracked hangers, broken leaves.
- Steering and chassis: cracks, corrosion, loose fasteners.
- Load restraint equipment: frayed straps, damaged ratchets, missing gates.
Minor vs major defect
A minor defect notice generally lets you continue with conditions and a clearance deadline. A major defect notice takes the vehicle off the road until it is repaired and inspected.
Log every repair
Track parts, dates and kilometres. Maintenance records satisfy inspectors and let you forecast the real cost per kilometre of keeping the truck compliant.
Official source
Always refer to the NHVR for official legal requirements. This guide is general information for Australian owner-drivers, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I get a major defect notice?
The vehicle must not be used until the defect is rectified and the notice is cleared in accordance with its conditions.
Do I need a written maintenance record?
If you are accredited under the NHVAS maintenance module, yes. Even if you are not, a maintenance record is the strongest evidence that a fault developed rather than being ignored.
Always refer to the NHVR for official legal requirements.