Mobile Safety Certificate QLD: Workshop vs Mobile Comparison Guide

Mechanic discusses car repairs with customer.

A mobile safety certificate lets you complete your official Queensland roadworthy inspection at home, work, or on-site, providing the same TMR-approved certification as a workshop inspection.

Compare mobile vs workshop safety certificates in QLD — cost, convenience, and inspection scope. Learn when to book a mobile inspection with Toros Roadworthy.

Why Mobile Safety Certificates Are in Demand

Between busy schedules, family life, and business commitments, getting your car to a workshop isn’t always easy. That’s why mobile safety inspections have become increasingly popular across Logan, Slacks Creek, Daisy Hill, and Brisbane South.

At Toros Roadworthy, our mobile safety certificate service brings the inspection to you — whether you’re at home, at work, or managing a small fleet on-site.

Every mobile inspection is fully TMR-approved and provides the same certification validity as a standard workshop inspection.

To understand how this fits within Queensland’s complete compliance framework, visit our guide about the roadworthy & safety certificate hub.

What Is a Mobile Safety Certificate?

A mobile safety certificate is a government-recognised Safety Certificate (also known as a Roadworthy Certificate) issued after a licensed TMR-approved inspector completes a full vehicle inspection at your chosen location — whether that’s at home, at work, or on-site.

The inspection covers all key safety and compliance components, including:

  • Brakes, tyres, steering, and suspension
  • Lights, indicators, and mirrors
  • Windscreen, wipers, and driver visibility
  • Seats, seatbelts, and structural integrity

Our mobile roadworthy service is designed for drivers who need the flexibility of an inspection anywhere, without sacrificing accuracy, compliance, or quality.

Not sure what’s included in a standard roadworthy check? Explore what’s included in a roadworthy inspection.

Mechanics performing roadworthy inspection under vehicle in workshop

Mobile vs Workshop Inspection – What’s the Difference?

FeatureMobile Safety CertificateWorkshop Inspection
LocationYour home, workplace, or on-siteToros workshop – Slacks Creek
ConvenienceHigh – We come to youMedium – Requires travel
Repair CapabilitiesMinor fixes onlyFull repair and service capacity
Timeframe45–60 minutes45–90 minutes
Certificate ValiditySame (TMR standard)Same (TMR standard)

Both inspection types are equally valid under TMR regulations — the difference lies in convenience and repair capability.

  • Choose mobile if your vehicle is already in good condition and ready for inspection.
  • Choose workshop if your car may need minor repairs or tyre replacements during the process.

For a full comparison of inspection types and what to expect from each, read our guide about choosing the right roadworthy inspection type.

When to Choose a Mobile Inspection

A mobile safety certificate is the perfect choice for drivers who value flexibility and time efficiency. It’s ideal for:

  • Private sellers preparing to list their car for sale
  • Buyers needing a quick safety check before completing a transfer
  • Busy families who prefer the convenience of at-home inspections
  • Fleet managers coordinating multiple vehicle inspections on-site

For fleet or commercial operators, you may require a Certificate of Inspection (COI) instead — a more frequent compliance requirement for taxis, rideshare vehicles, and heavy transport fleets.

If you’re renewing an expired registration, check our detailed companion guide about rego inspection.

Cost & Validity

A mobile safety inspection costs the same as an equivalent workshop inspection — there’s no additional fee for coming to you (within our standard Logan, Slacks Creek, and Brisbane South service areas).

Certificate validity is determined by Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR) — not by the inspection type:

  • Private sale: Valid for 2 months or 2,000 km (whichever comes first)
  • Dealer sale: Valid for 1 month or 1,000 km (whichever comes first)

For a complete breakdown of current pricing and validity periods, read our detailed guide on roadworthy certificate cost & validity.

Who Can Issue a Mobile Safety Certificate?

Only a TMR-approved inspector, operating from a licensed inspection station, can legally issue a mobile safety certificate in Queensland.

At Toros Roadworthy, every inspector is fully licensed under Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR) regulations — the same approval that authorises us to conduct both mobile and workshop inspections.

We explain these approval requirements in detail in our post about the transport approved inspector.

If you’re comparing services online, always verify your provider’s accreditation.
Unapproved operators may issue invalid certificates that TMR will not recognise, leading to rejected applications or delays in registration.

Preparing for a Mobile Inspection

To save time, prepare your car before our inspector arrives:

  1. Check all lights and indicators.
  2. Ensure tyres meet minimum tread depth (1.5 mm).
  3. Top up engine oil, coolant, and washer fluid.
  4. Clean the car so we can access seatbelts, VINs, and chassis plates.
  5. Park on a flat, accessible surface.

These steps are outlined in our roadworthy inspection preparation guide.

Common Issues Found During Mobile Inspections

Our mobile safety inspections often uncover minor issues that can easily be fixed on the spot or booked into our Slacks Creek workshop. The most common problems include:

  • Blown light bulbs
  • Worn brake pads
  • Minor oil leaks
  • Bald tyres

To avoid delays, review our list of common fail points in common roadworthy failures & prevention.

Professional mechanic explaining red flags warning signs used car inspection concerned buyer Queensland

Can a Mobile Inspector Do Repairs?

Our mobile inspectors can handle small fixes such as replacing light bulbs, wiper blades, or fuses during your inspection.

However, any repairs that require a hoist or mechanical equipment, like fixing oil leaks, suspension issues, or brake replacements.

If your vehicle fails a mobile inspection, you’ll have 14 days to complete the necessary repairs and return for a free reinspection when performed by the same Toros Roadworthy station.

How to Book Your Mobile Safety Certificate

Booking is simple:

  • Use our Contact Form to request your preferred date and time.
  • Or call our friendly team to confirm same-day availability across Logan and Brisbane South.

We recommend booking early — mobile inspections are one of our most in-demand services.

When a Workshop Inspection Might Be Better

If your car hasn’t been serviced in over six months, or you suspect issues with the brakes, suspension, or cooling system, a workshop inspection may be the better choice.

At our Slacks Creek workshop, we can diagnose and repair problems immediately, saving you the time and cost of retesting.

Why Choose Toros Roadworthy for Mobile Inspections

  • Licensed, TMR-approved mobile inspectors
  • Same-day digital certificate delivery
  • Convenient on-site service anywhere in Logan & Brisbane South
  • Transparent pricing and clear communication
  • Backed by a full-service workshop for quick follow-up repairs

At Toros Roadworthy, we’ve built our mobile inspection service to combine flexibility with compliance — helping Queensland drivers save time without cutting corners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a mobile certificate the same as a workshop one?

Yes. Both have identical validity under TMR rules.

Can you do mobile COI inspections?

COIs usually require workshop facilities. See Certificate of Inspection (COI) QLD.

How long is a mobile safety certificate valid for?

Private sale: 2 months or 2,000 km. Dealer sale: 1 month or 1,000 km.

Can you renew registration after a mobile inspection?

Yes. Once we upload results to TMR, you can renew online or in person. Check our Rego Inspection QLD – Renewal & Safety Requirements for details.

Is a mobile safety certificate different from a roadworthy certificate?

No — they’re the same inspection, just different names used by Queensland Transport. You can see the full explanation in our post Safety Certificate vs Roadworthy Certificate (Key Differences QLD).

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