Australian campervan rental companyWicked Campers has had its safety record slammed in a television expose.
Road safety experts and customers interviewed on the program described the vans as “catastrophes waiting to happen” and claimed they threatened the lives not only of their occupants “but everyone on our roads”.
A Current Affair reporters hired three vehicles from Wicked’s Brisbane office and took them for an inspection at a local RACQ office, which uncovered a range of problems including a rear brake covered in oil, a leaking axle seal, bald tyres, a faulty steering wheel, leaking shock absorbers and defective seat belts. All three failed a basic roadworthiness inspection.
The Queensland Transport Department has ordered Wicked to present a large part of its fleet for investigation to make sure the vehicles are safe.
In a statement, Wicked director John Webb told the program he “welcomed any inspection of the vans and the safety of both the public and our customers driving the Wicked vans is our first priority at all times”.
Earlier this year, a series of ads by Wicked – including one urging customers to “snog an aboriginal” – fell foul of Australia’s Advertising Standards Board.
