The NHVR has revealed the findings of the 2024 National Roadworthiness Survey (NRS), which ran for 12 weeks in all Australian states and territories last year.
The 9082 vehicles and combinations inspected across the country makes it the largest ever in-depth health check conducted across the country and averages out to 103 heavy vehicle inspections per day.
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The 2024 NRS was the third edition of the survey, following similar campaigns in 2016 and 2021. NHVR Chief Operating Officer Paul Salvati says non-compliance statistics have remained relatively steady when compared to the last survey.
“Nationally, 75 per cent of units passed inspection, which was the same percentage as the 2021 survey, continuing the strong improvement over the 2016 benchmark survey of 55 per cent,” Salvati says.
“Unfortunately, the number of units having multiple defects was slightly higher in comparison to the previous survey, up to 33 per cent in 2024 from 31 per cent in 2021.
“However, the non-compliance percentage remains well below the 2016 levels which is pleasing to see.”
The most common defect found across both metropolitan and regional areas in Australia were brakes, with engine driveline and exhaust, steering and suspension among the top five.
Salvati says the NHVR is disappointed to see the brake issues remain the most common defect in Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.
“The NHVR is still concerned that defects in brakes remains a top issue, and I would like to take this opportunity to remind operators and drivers of their responsibility to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained and daily vehicle checks are conducted,” he says.
“The sheer scale of the 2024 NRS has allowed us to see where the NHVR and industry are making improvements in safety and where more attention is needed to focus our regulatory efforts and future safety initiatives.”
The average inspection time across the 2024 NRS was 30 minutes, while the median inspection time was 20 minutes.
“We know that these inspections did result in a longer than normal intercept time, and I wanted to thank industry and drivers in particular for their patience and support while we undertook these crucial checks at the roadside,” Salvati says.
The highest incidence of non-conformity across the country occurred in rigid trucks at 39 per cent, which is still a significant decrease on the 52 per cent registered in 2016.
The median mileage of powered units inspected stood at 316,018 kilometres, while the average age of vehicles inspected was 10.2 years.
In order to gain a true understanding of the state of the nation’s fleet, vehicles were equally targeted in both metro and regional areas. 52 per cent of inspections took place in metropolitan areas, with the remaining 48 per cent landing regionally. Almost 8000 (7973) of the vehicles inspected were inspected in their registered home state.
“The 2024 NRS was a monumental undertaking, and the important effort of our officers conducting these inspections has provided us with the most comprehensive data ever gathered on the mechanical health of heavy vehicles across the nation,” Salvati says.
“I know the impacts of this survey will enact positive results on the efficiency and productivity of the heavy vehicle industry, including safer roads for all road users.”
The full final report snapshot of the 2024 National Roadworthiness Survey is available to view here.
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