Getting your car ready for inspection can feel like gearing up for a pop quiz you didn’t study for. I’ve been a mechanic for over 20 years, and trust me, I’ve seen folks fail inspections over the smallest things. The good news? There’s a way to avoid that headache—a solid pre-inspection car repair checklist.
If you follow this checklist, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of passing your vehicle inspection the first time and save yourself from extra costs and stress. Here’s everything you need to know.
Before we dive into the checklist, let’s quickly talk about why inspection matters.
Car inspections aren’t just bureaucratic nonsense—they’re there to keep you safe and ensure your vehicle isn’t putting others on the road at risk. Plus, failing an inspection means paying for repairs AND another round of fees for a re-test. Nobody wants that.
One of my regular customers once came in grumbling about how they failed their inspection. Turns out, a simple burned-out brake light was the culprit—an easy fix, but costly because they didn’t check beforehand.
Your car’s lighting system is the easiest place to lose points.
Pro Tip: I once had a customer who failed because of a burnt-out side marker light. It’s tiny but can cause a fail! Don’t overlook any lights.
Good tires and brakes are non-negotiable.
Funny story — I had a guy come in swearing his brakes were fine, but his inspection said otherwise. Turns out, the pads were paper-thin. It’s better to catch this before the test, trust me!
Fluids keep your car running smooth and passing inspection.
Remember, a leak under the car isn’t just messy—it can be a fail depending on what it is. One client showed up worried about a puddle, which turned out to be just water condensation. We still checked thoroughly so he passed with flying colors!
Visibility is a safety must.
I remember a lady who nearly failed because her wipers were so worn, they barely moved water. She had no idea how important that was until we replaced them. Saved her inspection and gave her peace of mind!
Simple but important. You don’t want to fail on stuff like this!
Emissions failures are a common reason for inspection fails.
One time, a car came in with a rattling muffler that scared the driver. We fixed the exhaust leak, and the car passed emissions with zero issues. Don’t ignore this!
Passing your inspection doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Follow this pre-inspection car repair checklist, take your time, and catch problems early.
If you want a pro to double-check your car before the big day, book an appointment at Kingdom Autocare. We’ll help you get road-ready and stress-free!
