What Can Cause A Vehicle to Fail an Out-Of-Province Inspection?

When you purchase a vehicle outside of British Columbia and bring it into the province, or move to British Columbia from another province, it may have to undergo an out-of-province inspection. It’s important to understand in advance that these inspections are pretty strict, and have to be in compliance with Commercial Vehicle Inspection Standards. In today’s blog, we’ve broken down the different categories involved in the check and some of the most common issues.

Driver’s controls

The driver’s controls are the various features that help enhance your safety on the road, including:

• horn,
• mirror,
• windshield wipers,
• windshield defroster,
• power steering and,
• parking brake.

It can be easy to overlook these components, so make certain to verify that they’re all functioning properly. Pro Tip: For example, you need to ensure that there are no tears in your wiper blade and that they won’t compromise visibility in rainy conditions.

Body integrity

The inspector will assess the structural integrity of the various components of the car body and cabin, including the doors, floors, driver’s seat, bumpers, truck, trailer hitch, frame and airbags. Common issues such as extensive rust on the car body or poorly attached seats, doors or trailer hitches can result in a failure.

Undercarriage

The inspection of the undercarriage includes the tires, wheel bearings, brakes, exhaust, driveline, springs, shock absorbers and fuel system. Only a qualified auto mechanic is able to identify issues with most of these components. However, one thing all drivers can check in advance is the tread wear on their tires. They need to have a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.

Engine compartment

The inspection will involve a close look at the engine. Specifically, the inspector will check the power train, vacuum system, fuel system and hood and safety hatch. The most obvious sign that you have an engine issue is if a dashboard warning lights flicks on. Look out for the following:

• Check engine warning light
• Engine temperature warning light
• Transmission temperature warning light
• Reduced power warning light
• Fuel filter warning light

Brake system

A well-functioning brake system is essential for safe driving, so it’s no surprise that any issues with the brakes will be flagged. For example, if brake pads are worn down to 2 millimetres or less, they will fail the inspection.

Lighting and electrical

This part of the inspection involves the battery, lamps, headlights, indicator lights, visible wiring and switches. While issues with the electrical components are best left to your mechanic, all drivers can verify that their vehicle lights are functioning correctly.

Do You Need An Out-Of-Province Car Inspection In BC?

At Minit-Tune & Brake, we’re qualified to inspect and repair your car so that you can successfully register it in British Columbia. Contact us today to make an appointment at one of our locations in Vancouver and across BC!