Car inspections are an essential part of keeping your vehicle safe and reliable. They help catch potential problems early, saving you time and money on costly repairs. Whether it’s a routine check or preparing for a long journey, inspections ensure your car stays in top shape. In this blog, we’ll explore why inspections are important, what’s involved in the car inspection process, how long they take, and ways to make them quicker. Read on to learn more about the car inspection procedure.
The Importance of a Car Inspection
Car inspections are important for keeping your car safe and reliable. They help catch problems early, like worn brakes or faulty lights, so you can avoid bigger issues later. Regular inspections also save money by preventing costly repairs. If you’re buying a used car, an inspection can help you spot hidden problems and make a smarter purchase. Plus, vehicle inspections keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe. It’s a simple step that offers peace of mind.
What are the Steps Involved in a Car Inspection Process?
When you get your car inspected, there are several steps involved to ensure that your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and in good condition. Here’s what the car inspection process typically looks like:
1. Scheduling the Appointment
First, you’ll need to schedule a car inspection at a body shop or another convenient location. Be sure to set up an appointment with enough time for the inspection to take place.
2. Verification of Details
Before starting the inspection, the inspector will verify your car’s details, such as the make, model, year, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You’ll also need to provide proof of insurance and your driver’s license or state ID, and sometimes other documents for car inspection.
3. Preliminary Tasks
The inspector will start by checking if your car starts and the engine runs smoothly. They will also record the odometer reading, which shows how many miles the car has driven.
4. Physical Inspection
Next, the inspector will thoroughly examine both the inside and outside of your car for any visible damage. They’ll check the body parts like mirrors, windows, headlights, tail lights, tires, and the condition of the windshield with a vehicle inspection system. They’ll also check things like the steering wheel, gear stick, and even under the hood for leaks or broken parts. Inspectors will note any scratches, dents, or other issues.
5. Hidden Damages
Sometimes, damage isn’t obvious, especially if the car has been in an accident or exposed to harsh conditions like floods. In these cases, hidden problems like rust, moisture, or internal wiring damage can be hard to spot.
6. Final Assessment
After the physical and hidden damage checks, the inspector will assess whether your car is roadworthy. This includes making sure it’s safe for driving and that it doesn’t have any major issues that need repair. If everything is good, you’ll get your vehicle’s inspection report.
Throughout the process, the inspector will make detailed notes and take pictures to document the car’s condition. This helps to create a comprehensive vehicle inspection form.
What Does a Car Inspection Include?
A car inspection checks all the important features that make your car safe to drive. It ensures your vehicle is in good condition and functioning properly to keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe on the road.
Here’s what’s typically included in a car inspection checklist:
1. Body and Exterior Check
The inspector will check the body and paint of your car for any scratches, dents, or damage. They’ll also look for issues with body panel alignment and any past repairs.
2. Document Review
The inspector will review documents for car inspection, such as the car’s title, maintenance records, and check for any open recalls. They’ll also check the car’s history to see if it was ever salvaged or stolen.
3. Battery and Fluid Tests
The technician will test the battery’s health and check your car’s oil and other fluids to see if they’re in good condition. This helps ensure that the engine and other systems work smoothly.
4. Electrical System Check
All electrical components like the headlights, turn signals, radio, Bluetooth, and power windows will be checked to make sure they’re working properly.
5. Suspension and Steering
The inspector will check the suspension and steering for any issues like excessive play in the steering wheel or abnormal tire wear. They’ll also check the brakes and tires to ensure they’re in safe condition.
6. Tires
Tires are checked for wear, damage, or defects. The inspector will also check your spare tire to make sure it’s ready for use in case of an emergency.
7. Brakes
The technician will inspect the brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid to ensure your car can stop safely. They’ll also check the emergency brake to make sure it’s working.
8. Lights and Visibility
The inspector will check all your lights: headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and license plate lights. They’ll also inspect the windshield for cracks and chips that could obstruct your view.
9. Windshield Wipers and Mirrors
Windshield wipers will be tested to make sure they clear your view, and mirrors (rearview and side mirrors) will be checked to ensure you have full visibility when driving.
10. Seat Belts
Your seat belts will be tested to make sure they lock and retract properly, ensuring they’ll keep you safe in case of an accident.
How Long Does a Car Inspection Process Typically Take?
A car inspection typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. If you need to fill out any paperwork afterward, it might take an extra 10 minutes. So, expect to be at the shop for about an hour in total. However, if the mechanic finds a problem with your car, it may take longer to figure out and fix the issue.
Here are some factors that can affect how long a car inspection process takes:
1. Appointments and Scheduling
Scheduling an appointment can sometimes take time. Body shops with limited resources might require you to wait several days or even weeks to get an inspection appointment, depending on their availability and your schedule.
2. Location of the Vehicle and Inspection Site
If your car is in a remote area, the inspection could take longer. You can either bring your car to a shop for inspection, or an inspector can come to you. If the vehicle is far away, the inspector may need extra time to travel, and sometimes even fly to another location, which adds to the overall inspection time.
3. Workflow of the Body Shop
The speed of the inspection process also depends on the efficiency of the body shop. While the physical inspection might only take a couple of hours, processing the results can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy the shop is and how many staff members are available to handle the paperwork.
4. The Inspector’s Experience
The inspector’s experience plays a big role in how long the inspection will take. A skilled inspector can quickly assess your car, while a less experienced one might take longer. If the inspector is busy with other tasks, you might have to wait for them to become available.
How Can the Car Inspection Process be Made Faster?
New technologies and improvements to the traditional process are key to speeding up the car inspection process. For example, automation and digital tools can greatly reduce the time needed for an inspection. These technologies help streamline tasks, eliminate unnecessary steps, and make the entire process more efficient.
Digitizing the inspection process, for instance, helps by allowing everything to be done online. Scheduling can be done digitally, and inspectors can keep records electronically, making it quicker and easier to handle. This reduces the time spent on paperwork and ensures data is processed more efficiently.
Automation is another major factor in speeding up car inspections. With AI and computer vision, remote vehicle inspections can be done. This means car owners don’t have to take their cars to a physical location or wait for an appointment. Instead, they can capture the details of their vehicle, and a report can be generated almost instantly, detailing any issues and suggesting repairs.
How Can Spyne Help with Car Inspections?
Spyne.AI makes car inspections faster, easier, and more accurate. Here’s how Spyne can help:
Quick and Accurate Vehicle Reports
Spyne’s AI tool quickly checks your car for any issues like dents, scratches, or worn tires and gives you a detailed report right away. This helps both buyers and sellers make quick, informed decisions.
Building Trust with Clear Inspections
Spyne’s reports are clear and trustworthy, which helps build confidence between businesses and their customers. This kind of transparency leads to better relationships and keeps customers coming back.
360-Degree Scanning for a Full Picture
With Spyne’s 360-degree scanning, every part of the car gets a close look. This ensures that nothing is missed, giving a complete visual record of the car’s condition, as captured in the inspection paper for car.
Access to Service History and Past Reports
Spyne keeps track of all inspection and service records, making it easy to check previous reports. This helps with understanding the car’s condition and makes decisions about future repairs easier.
Real-Time Photos and Less Mistakes
Spyne lets you take high-quality photos during the inspection, giving you a clear view of the car’s condition. With AI handling the process, there’s less chance for mistakes, making the inspection more reliable. These accurate photos can be included in a used car inspection form, helping buyers see exactly what they’re getting.
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Checklist
For businesses dealing with commercial vehicles, Spyne’s technology can help ensure that every vehicle undergoes a thorough inspection with a commercial vehicle inspection checklist, covering all essential aspects like engine, tires, brakes, and body condition.
Conclusion
While traditional car inspections can take days or even weeks, Spyne’s AI-powered digital inspections have made the process much faster, often taking just a few minutes. With advanced AI technology, these inspections help ensure vehicles stay safe on the road with accurate, real-time reports. Even if not required by law, regular inspections are still important. Take advantage of National Car Care months in April and October to keep your car in top shape, with all necessary inspection certificates and inspection paper for cars ready for the road ahead.
  
