There are many reasons for trying to restore a vintage car. For some people, it’s no more than a fun hobby. For others, it’s a source of income; whether it’s something they do on the side for a bit of extra cash or something they do as a living. And while restoring a car and making it look good is quite simple, it’s an entirely different case to try and make an old car roadworthy again. There may be times where it’s completely impossible. However, there are a few things you can try to make an old car roadworthy again. That being said, after making these changes, be sure to have a professional check it out and give you a roadworthy certificate.
Get the right parts
Look, a car that’s driving without some of its parts is definitely not roadworthy. When it comes to a car, every part plays a role, and even if the missing part is small, it may be quite significant, and without it, the car may not be roadworthy. It’s also important to note that you need to get the right parts. You can’t just slap any part on any car and hope it’ll work. For example, if the car you’re working on is a Ford Falcon, be sure to get Ford Falcon parts.
Fix the lights
Broken headlights and taillights are a big deal – if your car’s lights aren’t working, it’s not roadworthy, as simple as that. Luckily, both tend to be quite easy to fix. These lights can be broken for various reasons: old age, lack of vehicle maintenance, or an accident. It’s important to determine why the lights aren’t working, as this will help you know whether you can simply fix the broken part, or whether the entire thing needs to be replaced. For example, if a headlight is cracked, you’ll likely just need to replace the lens cover, not the whole thing.
Have the windscreen checked
An imperfect windscreen doesn’t seem like a big deal, but the truth is that it can be. Firstly, some windscreens are so cracked and broken that it’s nearly impossible to see through them, which puts both the driver and other people on the road at risk. Secondly, even if a crack is small, the possibility is always there that it could crack further, which could lead to a catastrophe. Therefore, if there is even the smallest problem with the windscreen, you should consider having it replaced.
Replace the tires
Even if a car’s tires look fine, if it’s a vintage car, they probably aren’t. Having flat tires, or tires that are worn smooth, or have other problems could certainly play a role in making a car unroadworthy, not to mention that it is a serious safety risk. Many people avoid replacing the tires on cars for as long as possible, especially when they are planning on reselling it, but it’s one hundred percent worth it to pay a bit extra and kit the car out with new, safe tires. You can have the tires replaced professionally, or do it yourself. If you can change a flat tire, it shouldn’t be too hard to replace a worn-down one.
Have the brakes checked
There’s no need for us to tell you how important brakes are when it comes to a car. No matter how hard you try to reduce your risk of a car accident, if there’s something wrong with your brakes, something bad is going to happen. So, you can clearly see why you need to ensure that a car’s brakes are fine, especially if you’re trying to make the car roadworthy. It’s also not a good idea to try and figure it out yourself – rather take the car to a mechanic, so that they can inform you of the state of the brakes and any steps you may need to take.
Make sure it’s safe
Of course, all of the above aspects help make a car roadworthy, which automatically makes it safe, but there are other safety aspects to consider as well. One of these is the fact that many older cars don’t have seatbelts, or have had their seatbelts removed. Naturally, this makes the car incredibly unsafe, so you should fix that as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to try and find out whether airbags can somehow be installed in that particular model. Finally, make sure that all the locks are functioning, to reduce the risk of hijacking or robbery.
