CCC exposes dodgy vehicle inspectors

Corruption investigators have exposed dodgy licensed vehicle inspectors pocketing thousands of dollars in bribes to certify the roadworthiness of cars they never even laid eyes on.

It is the second time the Corruption and Crime Commission has reported on rorted Department of Transport vehicle examinations, which it warned posed a “real and direct risk to public safety”. 

Drawing on its extraordinary powers including covert surveillance, telephone intercepts and summons to public hearings in November 2015, the CCC reported yesterday that hundreds of vehicles had been corruptly passed.

The accompanying falsification of records had compromised WA’s regulatory system which linked to the national vehicle examination and licensing database.

DoT is increasingly outsourcing vehicle checks to the private sector. As of mid last year, there were 70 authorised inspection centres in Perth, up from 36 in 2015.

Yesterday’s report centred on the activities of three licensed inspectors — Troy Pintabona of Crypton Autos in Walliston, and Alfonso Berardis and Tiziano Dionisio of Favazzos in Spearwood.

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