Eight trucks have been ordered off NSW roads as the state continues its audit into the company linked to a horrific crash on Sydney's northern beaches.
Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Police have now inspected 211 heavy vehicles owned by Cootes Transport and slapped the company with 174 defect notices.
More than a third of these involved major defects such as brake failures, steering and suspension faults, and eight trucks have been grounded, inspectors said on Sunday.
The investigation was launched after an out-of-control fuel tanker owned by the firm ploughed into a power pole and four cars before erupting in a fireball at Mona Vale.
Two men died in the inferno and six people were hospitalised.
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An audit of the company's Victoria-based fleet has left 48 vehicles grounded.
VicRoads inspectors have looked at 128 vehicles so far and issued 114 defect notices.
The authority will review the company's heavy trucking licence once the vehicle inspections are completed.
The NSW investigation into the cause of the fatal crash is expected to take weeks.
