A "faulty" car which failed a registration test was deemed roadworthy only a few hours later at the same testing station, according to a story in The Canberra Times 44 years ago.
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The bemused owner of a 1973 Holden Torana was reluctant to be named in the Times in case he went into the little black book at the motor vehicle testing station, Phillip.
Because he'd suffered an injury, his son took the Torana to the testing station, inadvertently taking the previous year's registration papers with him. The mistake was discovered, but the car was ultimately rejected.
A roadworthiness test report stated the vehicle was unfit for registration.
The owner was irked at being failed for what he considered inconsequential reasons, including "improve idling and reduce exhaust smoke" and "repair left-hand rear, lower control arm".
He had his own mechanic carry out a pre-registration examination, and decided to test the efficiency of the testing station.
Taking the valid registration papers with him, he drove the car back to Phillip, said nothing about the car's failure, and had it passed with flying colours.
Understandably, the motorist felt his experience showed a certain inconsistency among vehicle testers.
