Roadworthy

Roadworthy describes a vehicle, typically a car, truck, or motorcycle, that is in a safe and legal condition to be driven on public roads. It implies that the vehicle meets all safety regulations, including proper functioning of brakes, lights, steering, tires, and other essential components. A roadworthy vehicle is less likely to cause accidents and is considered compliant with local traffic laws. The assessment of roadworthiness is often determined through vehicle inspections and the presence of required documentation like a valid MOT certificate.

Roadworthy meaning with examples

• Before embarking on a cross-country road trip, John made sure his vintage car was thoroughly inspected to ensure it was roadworthy. He replaced worn tires, checked the brakes, and had the engine tuned to guarantee a safe and enjoyable journey, knowing that a breakdown in the middle of nowhere would be a disaster. His meticulous preparation gave him peace of mind.
• The mechanic informed Sarah that her old van was not roadworthy due to severe rust and failing brakes. He advised her that repairing it would be more costly than its value and recommended that she buy a new one rather than attempting to make it roadworthy, due to the potential danger involved.
• Following the annual vehicle inspection, the inspector declared that the delivery truck wasn't roadworthy because of a faulty exhaust system, prompting the company to schedule immediate repairs, avoiding hefty fines and ensuring that deliveries wouldn't be disrupted by a failure in the vehicle.
• The police officer pulled over the driver because the car appeared to have a broken headlight and gave a ticket because the car wasn't roadworthy. After seeing the defective lamp, he was concerned about road safety and its impact on other road users in low light conditions.
• The used car dealer assured prospective buyers that every vehicle on their lot was roadworthy, having passed rigorous safety tests and inspections. They provided inspection reports for each vehicle, ensuring transparency and instilling confidence in their customers about the reliability of their purchases.