TIPS TO PASS THE INSPECTION

Do you want to pass the inspection the first time? We want you to also!

Our recommendation is not to use the inspection process as a means of finding out what is wrong with your vehicle. You should know ahead of time that it's in good shape to pass the inspection on the first visit. Remember the onus of responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safe and roadworthy is on the owner.

Some might say that the regulations are no longer fair to vehicle importers, but some might argue that before the regulations were introduced that policies on importing vehicles were too relaxed allowing fraudulent and unsafe vehicles to be imported.

After careful consideration, the regulations have been implemented for real and legitimate reasons. We can tell you first hand that on many vehicles inspected, we've identified some dangerously poor repairs. What if it was a vehicle you trust to carry your children safely to school each day? Or maybe someone else's vehicle randomly jepordaizing your family's safety? 

Safety is no accident!

It's a fact that safer vehicles can only help reduce terrible incidents. Of course the operator has to take responsibility and make sure their vehicle is safe and roadworthy.

So here's what we are looking at and this should be what you look for too:

VIN Number

Beware of fraudulent vehicles! We want to make sure the vehicle isn't stolen. We also want to make sure that the odometer is reflecting accurate mileage and that the model year is in accordance with the manufacturers build date. We are also looking at accident damage records so we can focus on correct and proper repairs. Check your manufacturers build tag on the door jamb, it has a lot of information there.

Did you buy a rebuilt title vehicle and don't know it's history? Don't wait for us to run a CarFax or an Auto Check report to tell you the history of the vehicle you paid for. Be proactive and know what you are buying BEFORE you buy or at least before you bring it for an inspection.

TIP: Put your VIN number in a google search and select "images". If you have a rebuilt title, you may see the damage pictures. We search for this, so you should too!

Engine Number

We want to make sure your vehicle has the right engine for what it was designed for. We also want to identify the possibility of stolen parts finding their way into your vehicle. No one wants their whole car seized by authorities because it has stolen parts on it. You will be lucky to get it back if that happens. Avoid any issues before they happen and know your vehicle. We check engine numbers so you should too.

TIP: A simple way for you to check your engine number is to simply call the authorized car dealer. They have access to the manufacturers data base and can run your VIN and should be able to give you the engine number over the phone. 

Year of 1st Registration

We check this in CarFax and AutoCheck. You might not know this information but it can be valuable for you. For example if a vehicle has a build date of February 2016, and a 1st registration of March 2016, but the vehicle is being sold as a 2017 model year, it warrants further investigation. Additionally, if that same vehicle had a 1st registration of March 2016 but had a build date of May 2016, then this also needs investigated.

TIP: Always try to obtain the vehicle history report on any vehicle you purchase from anyone. Many dealers will supply this but often you have to ask for it as it can cost the dealers to run the report depending on their subscription monthly volume.

Original Color

What is your vehicles color? Is it the original color? You should be aware if your vehicle was repainted especially if it isn't that old and has a clean title. Usually low mile, late model vehicles are only painted for a reason - after undergoing body repairs. We check this and you should too.

TIP: You can usually find the manufacturers paint code in the inside drivers door jamb on many vehicles. It is usually depicted by letters and numbers and can be interpreted by a simple internet search. 

Brake System

Do your brakes work well? They need to. Other than your lightening reactions, they are likely the single most part that will help you in avoiding an accident. When you apply your brakes make sure there is no pull on the steering wheel. If there is, this indicates an uneven brake pressure and issues with the brakes. If your brakes are noisy, it's likley they need serviced. We recommend getting them serviced before you get your vehicle inspected to avoid a potential failure. Don't forget to make sure your park brake is working too!

TIP: Make sure your rotors and in good shape with no grooves. This tells us that the disc pads have worn completely out at some point and your rotors will need replaced.

Odometer

Is your speedometer accurate? If your speedometer is inacurate by only 2 mph over actual speed you can mistakenly register up to and over 1000 miles per year on your vehicle depending on how far you drive. In contrast if the speedometer registers lower than actual then there is traveled mileage not being recorded on your vehicle. We check your speedometer to ensure acuracy and authentication of actual mileage traveled.

TIP: To check your speedometer's accuracy yourself you can download a free app. Make sure your location (GPS) is activated on your phone and the app will calculate your speed traveled and you can check that against the vehicle's odometer. Make sure to perform this test safely and keep both hands on the steering wheel!

Side Slip (Wheel Alignment)

What is side slip? In short side slip is an alignment check of your wheels. It is referred to as side slip as it measures the amount of sideways slip as your vehicle travels forward. Obviously, this can affect your steering and drastically shorten the life of your tires. You need to make sure your vehicle drives straight and doesn't want to veer to one side or the other. How can you determine this? As simple way is to drive on a straight flat road and if you can do so safely, lighten the grip on the steering wheel while maintaining constant speed. If the vehicle drifts to one side or the other your wheels might need aligned.

TIP: Due to the condition of most roads, many vehicles are in need of a wheel alignment. If you're not sure if you need an alignment and have never had one, it might be a good idea to get an one done before the inspection to avoid any possible failure. It can be difficult and inaccurate to determine from home and without the proper measuring equipment.

Emissions

Emissions testing determines the level of air pollutants emitted from the exhaust of a motor vehicle. Not all states have emissions testing. The states that do usually have regulations where you must pass the test for registration. Emissions testing can detect levels of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and emissions from evaporation-emitting gases. Make sure your vehicle is within your state's requirements, and if there is no emissions testing, make sure your vehicle doesn't emit any blue, black or white smoke; if so it will likely need serviced.

TIP: The general rule of thumb is the higher the mileage your vehicle has the more likely that it might be emitting pollutants. Often this can be addressed with a simple tune up. It's recommended that if your car isn't running smoothly to get it serviced before getting it inspected to avoid a potential emissions test failure.

Headlights, Tail Lights, Brake Lights & Indicators

Obviously driving at dusk, night, or dawn requires the use of your headlights, to see where you are going. In fact sometimes in daylight it's a safety factor to use them such as in rain, mist or fog. So you have to make sure they work! We check the luminance of your headlights and also check to determine if they are aligned correctly and not in any oncoming drivers eyes. You likely won't be able to measure the headlights but you can check to make sure they work on low beam and high beam, your park lights work and any factory auxiliary lights work in accordance with the headlights. You also need to check if your tail lights, brake lights, all indicators, reversing lights, and number plate lights are all working.

TIP: Check your headlights before the inspection. If you see one isn't as bright as the other it might pay to rectify this before you bring it to get inspected and avoid a possible failure. Also often people don't realize when they have a tail light or a brake light out, so when checking make sure you have someone to assist you when you perform these checks.

Tires

Your tires are the things that keep your vehicle firmly on the ground. However when they are questionable it can be like driving on ice. You need to ensure that your tires have enough tread depth (at least 1/16" inch or 1.6mm) and have a consistent wear pattern, ie not balding on any particular area or single side. The tires must match front and rear and have no bulges or abnormalities. Also the tires must be the correct size for the vehicle per the manufacturers specifications and must not be retreads.

TIP: You can normally find the correct tire size from the manufacturer on a sticker inside the drivers door jamb on most vehicles.

Dash Warning Lights

These days most modern vehicles have a multitude of dash warning lights, such as ABS, SRS, Engine, Temp etc. You must ensure none of these lights are iluminated during normal operation. ABS (Anti lock Braking System), SRS (Supplement Restraint System or air bag system) are obviously warning lights directly related to the safe operation of the vehicle. If they are on, then you need to get the vehicle serviced before an inspection to ensure they operate correctly.

TIP: If you have a rebuilt titles vehicle often the SRS light remains illuminated constantly, even with new air bags fitted. In modern vehicles this can be because the seat belt recepticals can have sensors in them and have alerted to an impact tension on the seat belt while buckled up. If this is the case they might need replaced.  

Interior

The items you need to ensure are all working on the inside of the vehicle include: Steering (ensure steering wheel grip is not loose), make sure the power steering functions correctly, working horn, gauge & dash lights, All windows go up and down, door lock and unlock, wipers front & rear, side mirrors function correctly, rear view mirror in place, all safety belts work (retract, restrain, and receptacle release), brake pedal correct operation (ie doesnt go to floor), clutch (for manual transmissions) operates correctly and disengages gears, HIC (Head Injury Criterion or upper air bags) are in place if they were part of the manufacturers specifications.

Equipment

If you experience a flat tire being stranded at the side of a busy road can be a significant hazard. Its important that any time is limited and the repair is conducted as quickly and as safely as possible. You need to ensure you have a working jack, tire iron, stud wrench or wheel brace, to effect a wheel change. Additionally the spare wheel must be in good order too.

TIP: If you can't find the jack, review the owner's manual for it's location. Sometimes this equipment can be difficult to locate.

Engine

You need to ensure that your engine compartment is clean and free of any fluid leaks that are dripping (excluding AC condensation). You also need to ensure that your radiator is not leaking all belts are in good order. There must be no exposed wires in the engine compartment. If the vehicle has ever had a frontal impact it can be common for some components not affixed properly such as fuse boxes, or even a harness not clipped in properly and hanging loose. This will constitute a fail. Your battery must not be leaking and must hold a good charge.

TIP: If you see bluish powder around the positive terminal on your battery it's most likely copper/aluminum sulfate, primarily caused by a reaction between the dissimilar metals of the clamp and terminal, aided by electricity and some sulfuric acid from the battery. The corrosion around the negative terminal is most likely going to be white/grey/slightly yellowish, and is the result of undercharging the battery, causing sulfation.

Underbody

Although you likely can't view the underbody of your vehicle, it is important that the underside is also in good condition. We check the following: wheel bearings for any play or "slop", suspension components (coil springs, shock absorbers and mounts), Steering components (rack & pinion, steering box for leaks, torque rod, steering arms), fuel lines, brake cables, wheel cylinders, drive shaft, axle shafts, differential, exhaust system, fuel tank. We look for corrosion, bent, broken, damaged or any structurally compromised parts which can be commonly missed if a vehicle has had a significant impact. As many components are underneath the vehicle it's vital that all components are in good shape.

TIP: You likley haven't got a lift or a hoist at home and have never seen underneath your vehicle. However, if you have a cell phone you can capture the underneath of your vehicle from arm's length. It's a good idea to take a look especially if your vehicle has been in a significant impact to ensure you know what you have bought before it gets inspected. We will look under your vehicle in great details and so should you!