AN authorised vehicle inspector at Bridgestone Select Belconnen failed to test the brakes of at least 90 vehicles during registration checks that were mainly carried out in 2012.

It is the second car repair business that has been caught issuing roadworthy certificates without proper examinations this year, after KMart Tyre and Auto were busted for a similar breach of the Australian Consumer Law in May.

The tyre and mechanical workshop, which is owned by Autoco Tuggeranong Pty Ltd, was visited on November 1, 2012, by auditors from the Office of Regulatory Services (ORS), who discovered the brake tests had not been carried out on 90 vehicles.

Any drivers whose vehicles were examined by Bridgestone Select Belconnen in late 2011 up until November, 2012, can contact the shop for a free mechanical brake inspection, and the business has agreed to write letters to all customers advising of the offer as one part of a court enforceable undertaking.

Under the terms of the undertaking, which was accepted by the Commissioner for Fair Trading, Bridgestone Select Belconnen will also donate $20,000 to the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter fund and provide regular independent reports to the ORS for the next two years, detailing a program it has implemented to make sure authorised vehicle examiners do their job properly.

According to a statement from Attorney General Simon Corbell, the business owners “cooperated and initiated an immediate internal investigation” when they were told of the ORS concerns, and resolved to implement an internal audit procedure to ensure brake tests are carried out appropriately.

“Bridgestone Select Belconnen acknowledges that the conduct of their examiner likely contravened the Australian Consumer Law, by representing to consumers that their brakes had been tested and complied with applicable vehicle standards, when no test was undertaken,” Mr Corbell said in the statement.

“When a consumer takes their car to an approved inspection station for an inspection, they should have the confidence that the vehicle will be thoroughly inspected, and in accordance with required vehicle inspection standards.”

Mr Corbell said the ORS has initiated a “compliance program to raise industry awareness of obligations under the road transport and consumer laws” to make sure car mechanics are clearly aware of their obligations and the regulatory actions that will result from failing to comply.

Related post: Glass Repair For Motor Vehicles.