Failing a car inspection requires a lot of wasted time and energy.  If your car fails inspection, you need to make an appointment at a repair facility or the inspection location to fix the issue with your vehicle, along with another additional appointment to go through the inspection once more.  This is a total waste of time out of your busy schedule.  This could also make you miss your state’s inspection deadline which could throw you into even more trouble.  

There are only currently around 20 states that require an annual vehicle inspection, but if you reside in one of these states.  You understand the hardship that comes with these car inspections.  DriveSmart has compiled a few tips to help you pass your annual state vehicle inspection to help you stay on the road, and avoid those multiple inspection appointments.  

Check Your Outside Lights

One of the most important things you can do prior to your vehicle inspection is to check out all of your external lights and make sure they are all working properly.  Get a friend to help you by sitting in your vehicle, so that you can walk around and make sure that all external lights are operating properly.  

This includes the headlights, high beams, taillights, brake lights, and any other vital vehicle lights that are required to be functioning properly on the road. Don’t forget that pesky little light bulb helps illuminate your license plate because that is also extremely important for passing your vehicle inspection. 

Check Your Internal Lights

When we mean internal lights, we mean the dashboard lights of your vehicle.  You need to make sure that you don’t have any engine lights or service lights on your vehicle to properly pass inspection.  If you have a check engine light on your vehicle, there is absolutely no way to pass inspection. 

If you have a light on, bring your vehicle to the nearest certified repair shop to have your vehicle glanced at, and get it taken care of prior to inspection.  It will save you a lot of time and hassle. 

Check Your Brakes

Drive your vehicle around without the radio on, and see if you hear any metal screeching or a high-pitched squeal.  This is typically an important indicator that your brakes need to be replaced.  Having your brakes replaced can be expensive and take some serious time, but it’s important to have solid brakes equipped for your vehicle in order to pass your vehicle inspection.  

Check Your Tires

It is important to always make sure to have at least 1/16 inch of tread to pass inspection. The best trick is to shove a penny into the tire tread and check to see if you can see Lincoln’s head.  If you can, then it is probably time to replace your tires which will really help you pass inspection.  

Cosmetic inspection

Lastly, make sure you walk around your vehicle and look it over thoroughly, and make sure that there are no cracks in the windows and that your license plate is attached securely.  It could be very easy to fail an inspection due to a small cosmetic issue with your vehicle.  

Don’t forget to look at your seatbelts as well, and make sure that all the seatbelts work properly!  Once you check off all these tips, you will have no problem passing your vehicle’s inspection.