Car Inspection - Meaning, Purpose & Process

Owning a car is never easy, as it comes with multiple responsibilities. One such duty is associated with car insurance, for which you need a car inspection. This process assesses a car’s condition to maintain its insurance.

Are you wondering how and when you can get started with your vehicle inspection? Here is a detailed guide about the methods and requirements for this process to help you out.

National or subnational governments across the globe have made four-wheeler inspection a mandate for the car-owners to get car insurance. Every time you contact a car insurance company for a policy, they undertake a car inspection process. It is a routine auto service that most countries make mandatory by law. The insurance company will be responsible for carrying out this inspection.

The purpose of inspecting the vehicle is to convince the insurance provider that there is no significant risk in your car's condition.

A car inspection will be necessary for the following instances:

• If you renew your car insurance policy, this inspection will be mandatory from your insurance provider.
• Such an inspection is mandatory if there is a gap between the date of your policy expiration and the date you had to renew your policy.
• If you choose to switch from a third-party-only policy to a comprehensive car insurance approach.
• Furthermore, if you transfer your policy to another person, your insurance provider will inspect your car. While it is up to the new owner to continue with the existing policy or create a new one, an inspection will be mandatory.
• If you choose to incorporate additional services such as anti-theft devices and CNG kits in your insurance policy, you will need a car inspection in this case.  
• Your insurance provider will need to conduct a car inspection if your car goes through a road accident. Before you can claim your policy amount, the provider will assess the damage and decide the repair cost.

A physical car inspection is done for two purposes: to check the car's physical existence or to observe and record its conditions. One can do it with the help of the following types of inspection.

1. Courtesy Inspection

It is a visual inspection of the most common components of a car, including its lights, oil, and wipers. Usually, this kind of inspection occurs during oil or tyre change.

2. Insurance Inspection

This kind of car inspection is mandatory in most provinces for vehicles ten years older. This inspection will mainly examine the conditions of essential functions in your car, including its brakes, suspension, exhaust, etc.

3. 12-point Inspection

It is a thorough car inspection method. The car insurer will mainly check the following aspects of your car while completing this kind of inspection.

• The insurance provider will check the balance of your tyres' and sometimes rotate them to ensure maximum tread life. They will also check for cracks, bulges, or debris in the tires to measure their tread depth.
• They will ensure that the wheels of your cars are in proper balance and alignment.
• All the fluid levels of the car, including brake fluid, anti-freeze, and windshield washer fluid, will be considered, and the inspector will ensure that these are in proper quantity.
• The insurance provider will be liable to check your wiper blades and make sure that these are in proper condition. Furthermore, they will also check the windshield for cracks or chips.
• Moreover, the inspector will check the interior and exterior lights, all the belts and hoses, shocks and struts, etc., in your car and examine their conditions.
• They will also investigate the brake system, battery, cabin filter and timing belt, and the inspector will check if these need replacing.

As you can see, a car inspection is mandatory for every car owner. However, governments are lenient for specific situations, which helps avoid such an inspection. For instance, a review of your vehicle will not be necessary if it is a third-party-only policy. 

Moreover, if you are regular with your policy renewal, and there is no gap between your policy’s expiry date and the renewal due date, the insurance provider will not inspect your car. When you renew your insurance policy in time, it does not lapse, and hence it does not require any inspection.

Therefore, now you know the importance of having a car inspection after purchasing a car insurance policy. Your insurance provider mainly conducts the process. It is mandatory to check the condition of your car and thereby timely cover it against road accidents and other threats by your insurance provider.