Unroadworthy cars and vehicles running below expected performance standard on may be a big problem. Regular roadworthy tests are not a legal requirement, so it is possible that many cars do not fully comply with South African roadworthy regulations or may possibly run lower in terms of capability. According to information from the Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (eNaTIS), the number could be millions.

'There are 11.8 million vehicles in South Africa, with only 80% of those requiring roadworthy certification and testing on change of ownership,' states eNaTIS. This, along with many road users not performing regular checks on their vehicles could result in cars performing worse than expected.

Luckily, you can easily keep your vehicle roadworthy and running at its top potential yourself without having the skills of a mechanic. You just need to set aside a little time every now and then.

Aside from checking your tyre pressure and oil when you refuel, here are three other easy car checks you can do today:

Review Your Documentation

Did you know that, if your vehicle license has expired your car is technically unroadworthy? If you can't remember when yours next expires, it's time to check.

While you're at it, also review your car insurance policy. Insurers may not pay a claim if a car is unroadworthy.

Fuel Usage

Fuel price fluctuations aside, you could be spending more on fuel if your car is not running optimally. Monitor your weekly and monthly fuel usage. If your car suddenly starts consuming more than usual, the sooner you call your service centre, the less money down the drain.

Time/Distance Until Service

Vehicles have several and varying service intervals, usually due after a specific period has passed (such as every 12 months) or after you've driven a specific distance, (such as every 15,000 km) whichever comes first. Your car should have a vehicle service manual that tells you when your next service is due and what components will be maintained. The more modern cars have a warning signal that tells the driver when it is due for a service. If your car is an older model without this feature, set a regular yearly reminder for yourself and mark it: "Car service due".

It's easy to make sure your car is roadworthy. It's also easy to find a service plan that suits your pocket and takes away the stress of maintaining your car while having a great car insurance policy can ensure your vehicle remains covered. Compare quotes from a range of brands on hippo.co.za today.

Prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing this article. The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.

Sources: Automobile Association, Kinsey Report, Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (eNaTIS)