Meli VRT

Meli VRT Services Ltd is a roadworthiness test station on Valletta Road in Qormi, close to the capital and well connected to the rest of the island. VRT stands for Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, Malta's periodic inspection that keeps a car legal on the road, much as an MOT does in the UK. The company was formed in 1998, and as well as testing it offers wheel alignment, tyres, batteries and Q8 oils. On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed among our tyre shops in Malta.

If you live in Malta or keep a vehicle here for longer than a holiday, a VRT is a regular part of car ownership, and a station that can also deal with tyres and alignment saves a second trip.

VRT testing

The station tests Class II and Class III vehicles: passenger vehicles, light commercials up to 3500 kg and permanent 4x4s. The testing lane, shown in the gallery, includes side slip, shock absorber, brake, noise and headlamp tests, along with a diesel emission test for diesel cars.

The website answers the questions drivers ask most. You need to bring the log book for the test. You can take the car for VRT up to 90 days before the licence expires, and a VRT result is valid for 90 days. If a car fails, the re-test has to be done within 16 days of the first test. A faulty rear wiper does not fail a car, because the rear wiper is not checked as part of the test.

The photographs show how the lane works. A side slip plate measures whether the wheels push sideways, the shock test plates measure damping on each side of an axle, the roller brake tester reads braking force on each wheel, a noise meter checks sound level, and a headlamp unit measures the beam. The test screens display results on the spot, which gives you a clear picture of how the car performed. Because the station is also a tyre and alignment workshop, a car that needs attention to its tyres or tracking can often be put right before a re-test.

Wheel alignment, tyres and batteries

Computerised four-wheel alignment is a major part of the workshop. Correct alignment avoids unnecessary wear on tyres, steering, suspension and brakes, and it gives better stability and handling. The photographs show an alignment unit mounted on a lift, with sensors attached to the wheels, and a balancing machine is used for tyre services.

Meli VRT also sells tyres for cars, SUVs, light commercial vehicles and 4x4s, carries out vulcanising work, and stocks batteries, with battery services available. It is an authorised distributor and seller of Q8 oils. Prices are not printed on the website, so ask for a quote when you enquire.

Planning your visit

The station is open on weekday mornings and afternoons and on Saturday mornings, and there is parking within the premises. Qormi is close to Valletta, and the Valletta guide and the things to do in Malta page are good for filling the time nearby.

If you are moving from Britain, our Malta relocation guide explains the wider practicalities, and the Malta tax guide for UK nationals covers the money side. The Malta weather guide shows how hot summers become, which is worth knowing when it comes to tyres and batteries.

Getting in touch

To ask about a VRT test, alignment, tyres or batteries, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business. If you are still choosing where to stay, the where to stay in Malta guide sets out the main areas, and the Malta holidays overview covers the rest of your planning.