Registration comes around once a year, and with it the technical inspection. Many drivers show up and are surprised when the car does not pass. The reasons are almost always the same and almost always fixable ahead of time. Here is what inspectors find most often.
Lights and Signals
This is hands down the most common reason for failing the inspection. A burned-out bulb, misaligned headlight beams, or a faulty turn signal. Things that take 10 to 15 minutes to fix, but if you did not check before the inspection, the car fails.
Pay special attention to:
- Brake lights - one burned-out bulb and you get a red mark on the report
- Turn signals - front and rear must work on both sides
- Headlight alignment - the beam must be aimed correctly and not blind oncoming traffic
Brakes
Brake pads and discs have minimum thickness requirements that get measured during the inspection. Worn pads or discs with grooves are a guaranteed fail. Also, the difference in braking force between the left and right side must stay within specified limits.
If you hear squealing when braking or the car pulls to one side when you stop, that is a clear sign the brakes need attention before the inspection.
Suspension
Worn ball joints, tie rod ends, shock absorbers, or bushings create play that the inspector catches immediately on the vibration plate or during a visual check. Symptoms on the road include clunking over bumps, instability in corners, or uneven tire wear.
This is a common fail point, especially on older vehicles or those driven on rough roads.
Exhaust System and Emissions
The exhaust system must be sealed, with no holes or leaks. The inspector will also test the tailpipe gases. If the engine is burning too much fuel or the catalytic converter is not working properly, the car will not pass the emissions test.
On diesel vehicles, black smoke from the exhaust almost certainly means a fail. On gasoline cars, high CO or HC readings point to a combustion problem.
Windshield
A crack in the windshield within the driver's field of vision means a fail. A small chip or stone mark outside the field of vision usually passes, but a crack longer than 10 to 15 cm anywhere on the glass is a problem.
Tires
Tires must have at least 1.6 mm of tread depth (4 mm for winter tires during the winter period). Also, tires on the same axle must be the same size and type. Mixing radial and diagonal tires or different sizes on the same axle is grounds for a fail.
Steering
Excessive play in the steering or leaking power steering fluid are reasons for a failed inspection. If the wheel has too much dead zone before the front wheels start to turn, that needs to be fixed.
How to Pass on the First Try
The simplest approach is to come into the shop a week or two before the inspection. We check all the items that get tested and tell you what needs to be fixed. That way you avoid:
- Paying for the inspection twice (fail plus retest)
- Stress on registration day
- Multiple trips to the shop
Self-check list before the inspection:
- All bulbs working and headlights aligned
- Brakes with no squealing or pulling
- No clunking in the suspension
- Exhaust with no holes or excess noise
- Windshield with no cracks in the field of vision
- Tires with enough tread and matching on each axle
Our Advice
Do not wait until registration day to discover problems. Come in for a pre-inspection check and take care of everything at your own pace. Most of these items are quick and relatively cheap fixes when caught early.