Key Takeaways: Free Roller Brake Testing Offer
- 10 Four Truck Repairs is offering 200 free roller brake tests during October and November to celebrate their 20th anniversary
- Roller brake testing can identify performance issues in minutes that even skilled mechanics might miss
- The testing process takes approximately 30 minutes for a complete vehicle and provides printed reports for each axle
- Truck, trailer, bus, and coach owners are eligible for the free tests, with special arrangements available for fleets
- No obligation repairs – if issues are found, you choose whether to repair with 10 Four Truck Repairs or your preferred workshop
Ensuring your heavy vehicle’s braking system performs at peak capacity isn’t just about compliance—it’s about saving lives on Australian roads. 10 Four Truck Repairs is celebrating two decades of trusted service by offering 200 free roller brake tests during October and November. This initiative reflects our commitment to road safety while giving back to the transportation community that has supported us throughout our journey.
The free roller brake testing service normally costs between $70-200 dollars per vehicle but is being offered at no charge to help truck operators ensure their vehicles are operating safely. Each test takes approximately 30 minutes for a complete assessment of all axles, providing immediate insights into your braking system’s performance that could prevent accidents and save lives.
Why Free Roller Brake Tests Matter for Your Safety
Heavy vehicle braking systems are complex and critical components that require regular assessment beyond visual inspections. When brakes fail or underperform on trucks weighing up to 50+ tonnes, the consequences can be devastating for everyone on the road. Regular roller brake testing provides objective measurements of braking efficiency that simply cannot be achieved through standard maintenance procedures.
Critical Safety Benefits You Can’t Ignore
Roller brake testing identifies performance issues that even skilled mechanics might miss during routine inspections. The comprehensive assessment measures brake force, balance, and efficiency across all axles, providing a complete picture of your vehicle’s stopping capability. This precise measurement capability can detect imbalances between left and right brakes, dragging brakes that waste fuel, or insufficient braking force that could lead to extended stopping distances in emergency situations. For more insights on ensuring vehicle safety, check out our advice for fleet managers.
Beyond the immediate safety advantages, these tests provide documented evidence of your compliance with NHVR regulations, potentially reducing your liability in case of incidents. Your test results are provided in a detailed report that serves as proof of your commitment to maintaining safe vehicles on Australian roads.
How Brake Testing Prevents Costly Repairs
Early detection of brake system issues through professional testing can prevent minor problems from escalating into major failures. When brake components begin to wear unevenly or malfunction, the testing equipment can identify these issues before they cause cascading damage to other parts of the system. This preventative approach not only enhances safety but can significantly reduce your maintenance costs over time.
Consider the economics: replacing a single damaged brake component might cost a few hundred dollars, while comprehensive repairs after catastrophic failure could run into thousands—not counting the potential costs of vehicle downtime, missed deliveries, or regulatory penalties. Regular testing creates a maintenance schedule based on actual performance data rather than arbitrary timelines.
Why Even Well-Maintained Trucks Need Regular Testing
Many operators assume that regular servicing eliminates the need for specialized brake testing, but this is a dangerous misconception. Even vehicles that receive diligent maintenance can develop braking issues that aren’t visible during standard servicing. Environmental factors, driving patterns, load variations, and gradual component degradation can all affect braking performance between scheduled maintenance intervals.
Professional roller brake testing provides objective measurement data that complements your regular maintenance program. It serves as an independent verification that your braking systems are performing correctly, regardless of how recently they’ve been serviced. This approach creates a comprehensive safety net that catches issues that might otherwise go undetected until a critical moment on the road.
Our 20th Anniversary Offer Details
To celebrate two decades of serving Australia’s transport industry, we’re offering 200 free roller brake tests to operators of trucks, trailers, buses, and coaches. This limited-time promotion represents our investment in road safety and our appreciation for the customers who have trusted us with their vehicles throughout our history. The tests will be conducted using our state-of-the-art mobile testing equipment, providing professional-grade results that meet regulatory standards.
Who Qualifies for Free Roller Brake Tests
Our free testing offer is available to all owners and operators of heavy vehicles including trucks, trailers, buses, and coaches. Single vehicle operators and small fleet owners are particularly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This service is exactly the same as our standard paid testing – there are no hidden catches or obligations. We’re simply committed to helping more vehicles achieve optimal braking performance during this celebration period.
The offer extends to vehicles of all ages and conditions, whether they’re fresh off the production line or have logged thousands of kilometers on Australian roads. Even if you’ve recently had maintenance performed, this free test provides valuable verification that your braking systems are performing as expected. Many operators discover issues they weren’t aware of, even in well-maintained vehicles.
Limited Time Window: October-November Only
This special offer is available exclusively during the months of October and November to commemorate our 20th anniversary. We’ve allocated resources and staffing specifically for these two months to accommodate the additional testing volume while maintaining our high service standards. Appointments are filling quickly, so we strongly recommend booking your slot as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Testing slots are available during our normal business hours, with some extended hours available by arrangement for operators who need after-hours testing. Our team understands the importance of keeping your vehicles on the road during business hours, and we’ll work with you to find a testing time that minimizes disruption to your operations.
What Fleet Owners Should Know
If you operate a fleet of heavy vehicles, we’ve created special arrangements to help you manage testing for multiple units. While we’ve limited the number of free tests per company to ensure fair distribution across our customer base, we’re offering drastically discounted rates for additional vehicles once your free allocation is used. This approach allows us to serve more companies while still providing significant value to our larger customers.
Fleet managers should contact us directly to discuss scheduling options that minimise operational disruption. We can often arrange sequential testing slots that allow you to cycle vehicles through testing efficiently. Our team can also provide guidance on prioritising vehicles based on age, usage patterns, and previous maintenance history. For more insights, you can read about the NHVR chain of responsibility and its impact on fleet management.
The Simple 4-Step Process to Claim Your Free Test
We’ve streamlined the testing process to make it as convenient as possible for busy operators. From booking to receiving your results, the entire process has been designed to be straightforward and efficient. Our experienced technicians will guide you through each step, ensuring you understand the process and the results.
1. Book Your Appointment
Securing your free test begins with a simple phone call to our booking line at 1-300-303-956. Our friendly staff will confirm your eligibility and help you select a convenient appointment time. You’ll need to provide basic information about your vehicle including registration details, vehicle type, and the number of axles to be tested. We recommend calling as soon as possible as appointment slots are filling quickly during this promotional period.
- Have your vehicle registration details ready when calling
- Be prepared to provide vehicle specifications including axle configuration
- Consider bringing maintenance records if you have specific concerns
- Discuss any known issues or symptoms you’ve noticed with your braking system
For fleet owners, our staff can help you determine the most efficient testing schedule if you’re bringing multiple vehicles. We can often arrange consecutive slots to minimise wait times between vehicles. If you have special requirements, would like us to come to your depot, or need to arrange testing outside standard hours, please discuss this during your initial call.
We’ll send an email confirmation of your appointment with directions to our facility and a checklist of items to bring. This helps ensure you arrive prepared and that we have all the information needed to conduct a thorough test of your vehicle’s braking systems.
2. Bring Your Vehicle to Our Workshop
On the day of your appointment, drive your vehicle to our specially equipped testing facility located at our main workshop. We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time to complete any necessary paperwork and discuss any specific concerns you might have about your vehicle’s braking performance. Our technicians will briefly inspect your vehicle to ensure it’s suitable for testing and verify the axle configuration.
If you’ve noticed any specific symptoms or have concerns about particular aspects of your braking system, this is the perfect time to discuss them with our technicians. The more information we have about your vehicle’s history and any perceived issues, the more comprehensive our assessment can be. Our team includes experienced heavy vehicle specialists who understand the unique requirements of different vehicle configurations and applications.
3. Wait While We Complete the Test
Once your vehicle is positioned on our roller brake testing equipment, our technicians will begin the assessment process. The total testing time varies depending on your vehicle configuration, but typically takes around 30 minutes for a complete truck and trailer combination. During this time, you’re welcome to wait in our comfortable customer lounge where we provide complimentary refreshments, Wi-Fi access, and a viewing area where you can observe the testing process.
Our state-of-the-art testing equipment provides real-time data that our technicians monitor throughout the process. If significant issues are detected during testing, our team may conduct additional assessments to isolate the specific components causing the problem. This thorough approach ensures that the reports you receive contain actionable information rather than just basic pass/fail results.
4. Receive Your Detailed Report
After testing is complete, our technicians will provide you with a comprehensive printed report detailing the performance of each axle. This report includes specific measurements of braking force, efficiency percentages, and left/right balance for each wheel position. Our technicians will walk you through the results, explaining what each measurement means and highlighting any areas that may require attention.
The report serves as an official record of your vehicle’s braking performance at the time of testing and can be added to your maintenance records. For vehicles that meet or exceed NHVR standards, this documentation provides valuable proof of compliance that can be presented during roadside inspections or compliance checks. If issues are detected, the report provides specific data that can help your maintenance team or service provider identify and address the problems efficiently. For more detailed procedures, refer to the National Roller Brake Testing Procedure.
All test results are stored in our secure database, allowing for comparison with future tests to track performance trends over time. This historical data can be invaluable for developing predictive maintenance schedules and identifying recurring issues before they become critical problems.
What Happens During a Professional Roller Brake Test
A roller brake test is a comprehensive evaluation that measures the exact performance of your vehicle’s braking system under controlled conditions. During testing, your vehicle is positioned with wheels placed on rollers that simulate road conditions. These rollers rotate at a specific speed while gradually increasing resistance to accurately measure the braking force generated when you apply the brakes.
The entire process is controlled by sophisticated computer systems that capture precise measurements for each wheel position. This allows our technicians to identify issues that might not be apparent during visual inspections or road tests, such as imbalances between left and right brakes, dragging brakes, or insufficient overall braking force. For more on maintaining heavy vehicles, explore the heavy vehicle maintenance chain of responsibility.
The Testing Equipment We Use
Our workshop utilises the latest generation of NEPEAN Transport Equipment roller brake testing technology, specifically designed for heavy vehicles up to 20 tonnes per axle. This equipment exceeds Australian testing standards and provides measurements with accuracy to within 1% tolerance. The testing platform includes integrated weight scales that automatically calculate the efficiency ratio based on the actual weight of your vehicle at the time of testing, ensuring results reflect real-world performance.
The computer-controlled system automatically records all test data and generates comprehensive reports that can be stored electronically or printed for your records. Our equipment undergoes regular calibration and certification to ensure consistent accuracy across all tests performed at our facility.
What We Measure and Why
During the roller brake test, we measure several critical performance indicators for each wheel position. The primary measurement is brake force, which indicates how much stopping power is being generated at each wheel. We also evaluate brake balance between left and right sides of each axle, as imbalances can cause dangerous pulling or instability during emergency braking situations. Understanding these factors is crucial for maintaining safety and compliance with the NHVR chain of responsibility.
The system calculates overall braking efficiency as a percentage, which must meet minimum NHVR standards for your vehicle class. We additionally test for brake drag, which occurs when brakes fail to release completely and can lead to excessive fuel consumption, overheating, and premature wear. For vehicles with air brake systems, we also monitor air pressure levels throughout the testing process to ensure the system maintains adequate pressure under load.
How Long Testing Takes Per Axle
The testing process takes approximately 5-7 minutes per axle, with a complete truck and trailer combination typically requiring about 30 minutes for comprehensive testing. This efficiency allows us to test your vehicle quickly while still gathering comprehensive data about your braking system performance. Additional time may be required if our technicians identify issues that warrant further investigation or if your vehicle has specialised braking systems that require modified testing protocols.
Our goal is always to provide thorough testing while respecting your valuable time and minimising vehicle downtime. For fleet managers looking for advice on testing procedures, we offer follow-up testing advice to ensure optimal vehicle performance.
Understanding Your Test Results
After testing is complete, we provide a detailed report that breaks down the performance of each component in your braking system. The most critical value is your vehicle’s overall braking efficiency, which must be at least 50% to meet NHVR requirements. Individual wheel readings are reported as both raw braking force (measured in kilonewtons) and as efficiency percentages relative to the vehicle’s weight.
Our technicians will help interpret these results, explaining what the numbers mean in practical terms and highlighting any areas of concern. We’ll clearly indicate whether your vehicle meets regulatory standards and provide specific recommendations for addressing any issues identified during testing. This personalised approach ensures you fully understand your vehicle’s braking capability and any maintenance needs that should be addressed.
What to Do If Problems Are Found
Discovering braking system issues during testing might seem concerning, but it’s actually an opportunity to address problems before they lead to road incidents, expensive repairs, or compliance violations. If your test results indicate substandard performance, our technicians will explain the specific issues and provide clear guidance on the appropriate next steps based on the severity and nature of the problems identified.
Common Brake Issues We Discover
Through thousands of brake tests conducted at our facility, we’ve identified several recurring issues that affect heavy vehicle braking performance. The most common problems include worn brake linings that no longer provide sufficient friction, out-of-adjustment brake components that limit force application, air leaks in pneumatic systems that cause pressure loss, and contamination from oil or grease that reduces friction coefficient. We also frequently detect imbalanced braking between left and right wheels, which can cause dangerous vehicle pulling during emergency stops.
More serious issues occasionally discovered include seized or partially seized brake chambers, damaged brake drums or rotors, compromised air supply lines, and faulty brake valves. Early detection of these critical problems through regular testing can prevent roadside breakdowns and potentially catastrophic brake failures that put lives at risk.
Your Repair Options
If your roller brake test reveals performance issues, you have complete freedom to choose how to address them. You can either have your vehicle repaired at your regular workshop or take advantage of our comprehensive truck repair services at 10 Four Truck Repairs. There is absolutely no obligation to have work performed at our facility following the free test – our primary goal is improving road safety, regardless of where you choose to have repairs completed.
For minor issues like brake adjustments, we may be able to complete the work immediately while you wait, minimising downtime. For more extensive repairs, our service advisors can provide detailed estimates and timeframes if you’re considering using our workshop services. We maintain extensive parts inventories and specialised equipment specifically for heavy vehicle brake system repairs, allowing us to address most issues promptly and efficiently.
NHVR Compliance Requirements
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) establishes minimum standards for braking performance that all commercial vehicles must meet.
Vehicles that fail to meet these standards may be deemed unroadworthy, potentially leading to defect notices, fines, or forced repairs before the vehicle can return to service. Beyond these direct consequences, operating vehicles with substandard braking performance increases liability exposure in case of accidents, potentially affecting insurance coverage and creating serious legal implications for operators and their businesses.
Why We’re Giving Back to Our Community
At 10 Four Truck Repairs, we believe that businesses have a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities they serve. Our free brake testing initiative represents a significant investment in Australian road safety during a period when highways are becoming increasingly congested. These free tests are our way of putting our commitment to safety ahead of immediate business interests and focusing on the long-term benefits of safer roads for everyone.
Over two decades, we’ve serviced tens of thousands of vehicles and built lasting relationships with fleet operators, owner-drivers, and transport companies across Australia. This anniversary celebration is our way of thanking the industry that has supported our growth while reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in heavy vehicle servicing and repair.
Our Commitment to Road Safety
“At 10 Four Truck Repairs, we’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of brake failures in heavy vehicles. Each free test we provide potentially prevents an accident and saves lives. This isn’t just about celebrating our anniversary—it’s about demonstrating our core belief that safety must always come before profit in our industry.”
– Pat Muscat 10 Four Truck Repairs
Beyond this specific testing initiative, we maintain ongoing commitments to improving road safety through various programs.
We’re proud that vehicles serviced at our facilities have historically demonstrated significantly lower rates of safety-related incidents compared to industry averages. This free testing program extends that safety advantage to more operators across our region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since announcing our free roller brake testing initiative, we’ve received numerous inquiries about the program details, testing process, and follow-up options. We’ve compiled answers to the most common questions below to help you better understand this offer and make informed decisions about participating. For more detailed advice, you can also refer to our follow-up testing advice for fleet managers.
If your specific question isn’t addressed here, please contact our customer service team at 1-300-303-956 for assistance. Our staff is fully briefed on all aspects of this program and ready to provide the information you need.
Do I need to prepare my vehicle before the brake test?
While no specific preparation is required for the test itself, we recommend performing a basic visual inspection of your braking system before arriving. Check for obvious issues like air leaks, damaged lines, or abnormal component wear that might affect test results or potentially damage testing equipment. Ensure your vehicle has adequate air pressure before arriving, and if possible, avoid testing immediately after heavy brake use that might have caused overheating. For the most accurate results, the vehicle should be at normal operating temperature and carrying a typical load if practical, though we can test empty vehicles as well.
What if my vehicle fails the test – am I obligated to repair it with you?
Absolutely not. There is zero obligation to have repairs performed at our facility regardless of test results. We provide the free testing as a community service, and you’re completely free to take your vehicle and test results to any repair provider of your choosing. If you decide to have work done with us, we’ll provide a detailed quote before proceeding with any repairs, but we respect your right to choose the most appropriate service provider for your needs and budget.
Our technicians will thoroughly explain any issues identified and provide recommendations, but the decision about how and where to address them remains entirely yours. Some operators choose our services for convenience or to take advantage of our specialized expertise, while others have existing relationships with other workshops that they prefer to maintain. For more insights, you can explore the chain of responsibility in heavy vehicle maintenance.
Can I book multiple vehicles under this free offer?
- Individual owner-operators can book one free test per vehicle they own
- Small fleets (2-10 vehicles) can book up to 5 free tests
- Larger fleets can discuss custom arrangements with our fleet coordinator
- Additional vehicles beyond the free allocation can be tested at specially discounted rates
- All bookings are subject to availability during the October-November period
We’ve structured these limits to ensure the greatest number of different operators can benefit from our anniversary promotion. For fleet operators with multiple vehicles, we’re happy to discuss efficient scheduling that minimises disruption to your operations while maximizing the value you receive from this program.
The free tests are available for all types of heavy vehicles including prime movers, rigid trucks, trailers, buses, and coaches. Each vehicle requires a separate appointment, though we can often schedule consecutive slots for efficiency if you’re bringing multiple units.
Booking early is strongly recommended as appointment slots are filling quickly, particularly for popular times. Our booking team can help identify available times that align with your operational requirements, including some after-hours and weekend appointments by special arrangement.
We encourage all heavy vehicle operators to take advantage of this rare opportunity to obtain professional brake testing at no cost. Beyond the immediate safety benefits, the detailed reports provide valuable baseline data for your ongoing maintenance programs and compliance documentation.
Remember that proper braking performance isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s a fundamental safety issue that affects everyone on Australian roads. By participating in this program, you’re demonstrating your commitment to operating safe vehicles while potentially identifying issues before they lead to costly breakdowns or dangerous failures.
To secure your free roller brake test, call our booking line at 1-300-303-956 today or visit our website at 10fourtrucks.com.au to request an appointment online. Our team is standing by to answer any questions and help you take advantage of this limited-time offer.