Things car owners need to do before going for car inspection

First-time car buyers or those who have just bought a used car, or whose vehicle registration is about to expire, are often quite worried and do not know what they need to do before bringing it to the motor vehicle registration center.

According to experts in the field of car repair and maintenance, there are parts that car owners can check and handle themselves. Meanwhile, some other things will require intervention with specialized repair equipment so that the car can be registered smoothly.

General visual inspection

At this stage, the car owner should check the following items in advance:

- Paint color:If buying a used car, the owner needs to check that the paint color of the car must match the color listed on the registration. In addition, Circular 30/2024 of the Ministry of Transport, effective from October 1, 2024, will refuse to register if more than 50% of the car's surface has a different paint color than the registration.

- Lighting system:Including headlights and signal lights. The car owner can check whether the headlights, fog lights (if any), turn signals, reverse lights, brake lights, and license plate lights are working properly. The front lights can be checked by parking the car perpendicular to the wall at a distance of 5m. If the two sides are not balanced, you can adjust the height of the light beam to about 1-1.1m.

- Brake system:Car owners should remove the wheel to clean the brake system, and more thorough cleaning is required for vehicles equipped with drum brakes. In addition, car owners can check the brakes by testing and braking. If the brakes make a noise, the brake pedal is heavy, or the car vibrates, the car needs to be taken to a garage for inspection.

- Tires:Check the tire size to see if it matches the size listed on the vehicle registration certificate. If the tire has worn down to the manufacturer's wear indicator, you need to replace the tire to ensure safety and peace of mind when you go to have your car inspected.

- Windshield:Check for cracks in any areas.

- Wipers, windshield washer:Need to operate normally.

- Seat:No wobble, headrest not broken.

- Seat belt:Works fine in all positions, no damage or tearing.

Check with specialized equipment at repair garage

- Check injector system, exhaust sensor:Emission problems are one of the reasons why many vehicles fail inspection, mainly old vehicles, over 10 years old, with new vehicles from 3-7 years old rarely happening. To avoid this, vehicle owners should regularly clean parts such as spark plugs, injectors, air intakes, and replace oxygen sensors and air filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

- Check and change oil, filter:When bringing the car to the garage, the owner should ask the garage to check the engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, as well as the oil filter, fuel filter and air filter. This will help the car pass the tests related to emissions and noise.

- Check wheel alignment:Because it is difficult to detect wheel camber deviation with the naked eye, this technical factor needs to be measured with specialized machines.

- Check hubs and brakes:Worn brake pads should be replaced, check the hubs if the wheels make noise or vibrate when moving.

- Check light intensity and headlight deviation:To perform this test, car owners will have to go to a repair garage with specialized measuring equipment.

In addition, accessories such as roof racks, front/rear bumpers, spoilers, grilles, etc. are also details that need to be carefully checked before taking the vehicle for inspection. If these accessories are installed illegally, the vehicle owner will not only be denied inspection but may also be fined by authorities such as the traffic police.