Do you need a heater for roadworthy?

[suspend6]

I was rather surprised by a discussion I had at the weekend amongst some knowledgeable moke personnel. The question of getting a Victorian RWC came up, and an ex-VicRoads employee who knows the rules fairly well was telling me the basic things that need to be right.  You know, brakes, lights, horn, wipers, rust, heater........HEATER ?  Who cares about a heater ?  Well apparently VicRoads do. My machine came from Queensland, and the brackets for the heater are there on the firewall, but that is the only evidence of a heater to be seen. No vent pipes, no wiring, no switches, no nuthin. I never even gave the heater a thought. Just don't want one. My moke will most likely only be used for summer travel anyway.

Terry was in the discussion, and I thought it an interesting topic (if nothing else) as to why a heater was deemed compulsory. Needless to say, the garage that gave my Moke a "pre-roadworthy vehicle inspection" did not even mention it, so I guess I will be going back there for my official roadworthy  .

BUT....... if you see yet another Wanted to Buy of mine, asking for a heater, you know VicRoads won.

[bnicho]

Hi Phil,

From 1971 or 1972 an ADR (Australian Design Rule) came in requiring demsiting on the windscreen.  In most cars this is achieved with a heater which ducts air onto the screen.  In a Moke the demister is pretty useless IMHO, so the heater is commonly removed.  (I left the heater out too!)

Some people buy small 12v hairdryers and fit them to the demister ducts to satisfy the legalitarians. 

Most likely the RWC inspector won't know it's supposed to have one unless you mention it. 

[suspend6]

Most likely the RWC inspector won't know it's supposed to have one unless you mention it. 

Trust me, I won't utter a single solitary word. 

[seamoke]

Suspend6

When i took my moke down for a roadworthy about a week ago the mechanic told me to remove the demister vents from the dash or vic roads would require the heater to be in working condition.He said if the piping and vents are removed it did not require the heater to work for rego. When i took my 79 moke into vic roads in Geelong about 18 months ago it had a heater in it but it did not work and the demister vents were removed.They checked the vin number under the bonnet and that was it,did not look or check a thing on it!If they had of stuck there head under it they would have seen it leaking oil onto their nice inspection bay. Either a had a really good inspector or Im in for a rude shock in a couple of weeks when i take my new moke in.I would not stress too much about your heater problem as i think that will be the last thing they will try to ping you on!

Regards Seamoke!