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Hi all,
I am hoping to gauge what experiences people have had with Police in QLD in regards to defects.

There are several good sources of information regarding Vehicle standards and defect laws.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicl ... tions.aspx
https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/veh ... index.aspx
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicl ... rmits.aspx
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety ... it/points/

For a defective vehicle (which is NOT considered unsafe) carries a $117 fine and a loss of 1 demerit point (the demerit point being the worrying bit).
I cant find info of what is a 'safe' defect or 'unsafe' defect and think it would be up to the discretion of the officer.

I understand that in QLD modplating is quite easy, but doesn't guarantee you wont get a defect.

What have people been defected for and what have the punishments been?

I haven't been defected but did get a friendly warning during a breathaliser test about the A-pillar gauge:

It's a single A-pillar gauge pod mounted as low as possible and doesn't obstruct my view at all so I thought it would be OK - the fact that he pointed it out made me change my mind.
I've since removed it.

Thats a bit extreme isnt it. I was kindof under the impression that things were a bit more laxed in QLD compared to NSW - but judging off that maybe not...

I have had many things pointed out to me by Police. The worst I got was a $44 fine for have HIDs fitted. No points, just a warning thingo.

They tried to get me for big wheels once. Policemen suggested my 4 inch bigger than stock diameter wheels were illegal. I told him the rolling diameter was 12mm bigger than standard. This was after being caught 80kph over the speed limit. ps- don't race unmarked police cars.

Another time they got the 100mm wand out and snagged it on something between the front wheels. The wand carrier got very excited at that point. He was jumping up and down like a police man at a crispy creme store. Again I pointed out that I was in the car at the time of measuring, you only measure at the half way point between wheels and the off camber road surface was not a flat surface. On I went freely.

Once I had the airbag pulled out when I got pulled over for a random license check. They asked how long it had been out and I replied 2 weeks. They said put it back in asap cos the traffic guys would love to fine you for it.

You have to be pretty hard up with attitude to be done for something. If it is dodgy. Most times the owner would know.

project.r.racing wrote::
You have to be pretty hard up with attitude to be done for something. If it is dodgy. Most times the owner would know.

+1, be nice/respectful and don't volunteer ANY information unless asked explicitly - you don't want to give them any reason to book you and they don't usually suspect defects in a hairdresser's car.

charlie_91 had a good story regarding cops on his way to a track session at QR.
While grabbing a bite to eat inside a fast food joint they waited for the owner to return to the car.
Charlie's car looked like a dedicated track car with massive rear spoiler and front splitter so really stood out.
Finally when Charlie returned to his car they queried him about it and let him go when he told them he was driving to the track (he was quite close to the track).
I thought that was pretty good of them but don't doubt that if it occurred during the evening on a weekend that they would have booked him.

RileyR wrote:Thats a bit extreme isnt it. I was kindof under the impression that things were a bit more laxed in QLD compared to NSW - but judging off that maybe not...

i think the replies so far with admitted defects, and the fact not one of them where issued a defected notice would reflect that QLD is laxed.

I've had a few small encounters. None in the mx5 aside from expired rego by 5 days which a renewal notice was never received! But paid that thankful that I hadn't crashed. Let me drive 50mm home at 2am.

Previous car got done for overtaking a 4wd cop car in country nsw. Which was frustrating after he was doing 80-90 for 20 mins and wouldn't let me pass...opened up dotted line so I floored it. 113kph apparently... but once pulled over he almost booked me for no rear badges. I said look at the rego/vin. You don't need the mazda badges! Apparently he was certain you did. Said that's ok write the fine and take photos. I will do the same with you in the shot and I'll take it to your supervisor. Didn't want to write that ticket out!!!

But cops have been not too bad. Lots have complimented the car but yet to see a hwp. They're not as nice apparently!

Agreed pezchops - its good to know.

We might be lucky to have less stigma attached to mx5s as some other sports cars

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