The two limits
A safety certificate has two limits running at once, and whichever you hit first ends it:
- Time: 2 months from the issue date
- Distance: 2,000 km from the odometer reading at inspection
So if you sell quickly, time isn't an issue. But if the car sits on the market, or you keep driving it while it's listed, you can run out of either one.
When the clock starts
Validity runs from the certificate's issue date, not the date you advertise the car. If a certificate is issued on 1 May, it expires two months later, regardless of when the first buyer calls. Keep that in mind before booking, there's no point getting a certificate weeks before you're ready to sell.
One sale only
A safety certificate covers a single sale or transfer. Even if it's technically still valid, once it's been used for a transfer, it's done. And if you buy a car with a valid certificate, then decide to sell it again soon after, you'll need a new one for your sale.
Dealers are different
Licensed motor dealers work to different, shorter limits than private sellers. If you're buying from or selling through a dealer, the timing isn't the same as the private 2 month / 2,000 km rule.
Don't get caught out
A few situations catch sellers:
- The buyer delays the transfer until after the certificate expires
- You keep driving the car heavily and burn through the 2,000 km
- The certificate lapses over a long weekend or holiday period
The simple fix is to time the inspection close to when you're actually ready to sell. Our mobile safety certificate service comes to you, so booking it at the right moment is easy.