
Having your car fail inspection can be a costly hassle. You can easily avoid expensive repairs and re-inspections by fixing common issues ahead of time.
Fuel tanks, cooling system tubes, and hoses are involved in fluid transfers and must be leak-free. Both rearview mirrors and side-view mirrors must be present, undamaged, and fully functional.
Brakes
The car’s brakes, which apply pressure to stop the wheels, are one of the most crucial safety components. The calipers, pads, and rotors must be in good condition to pass inspection. Look for excessively worn pads, leaking calipers or brake fluid, and rotor surface rust. A functioning emergency brake is also essential.
If your ABS fails inspection, it’s likely due to a problem with the wheel speed sensors or control module. Adherence to the recommended maintenance schedule and prompt attention to dashboard warning lights and strange behavior can help your ABS stay in shape for inspection.
Body damage may count against your car during car inspection services Fort Worth, TX, especially if the damaged areas have been patched with body filler or repainted. Minor dings and scratches aren’t an issue, but large dents or a cracked windshield will likely cause the vehicle to fail inspection. Also, check the rubber seals around the doors, hood, and trunk for rips or tears.
Steering
Over time, normal driving and conditions cause all the parts that make up your suspension and steering system to wear down. Due to age, suspension components like tie rod ends and ball joints will lose lubrication or break. When these systems fail, your car will feel unstable on the road, and it will be hard to maintain control of your vehicle.
Your steering system must work properly to avoid any issues while driving and for your vehicle to pass inspection. If you’re hearing whining noises during turning, this is a sign that the steering system needs replacement.
All rear and side view mirrors must be present and fully functional for your vehicle to pass inspection. This will help ensure that you and other drivers on the road have a clear view of their surroundings. This is important because it could prevent a car accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Seat Belts
While it may be easy to take innovations like seat belts for granted, they were designed with one very important thing in mind: to save lives. Seat belts must pass strict tests to ensure that they are working properly, and inspectors check to ensure they do so.
The same goes for other safety features, such as headlights and the rest of your car’s lights. If any of them are dim, have foggy lenses, or don’t work, you won’t be able to pass inspection.
Similarly, the coolant tank and tubes will also be checked by an inspector to make sure they’re not damaged or leaking. This is particularly important, as a leaking radiator tube could cause an engine fire. It’s best to inspect these components before you get your inspection done. It will save you time and money in the long run. Knowing your vehicle is safe to drive will also give you peace of mind.
Tires
A car’s tires are a critical safety feature and must be inspected for various reasons. A blown tire won’t pass inspection, as will tires that aren’t properly inflated or have excessive wear or damage.
Underinflated tires force the engine to expend more fuel to make them spin, artificially raising carbon emissions. This is a big no-no for the smog check, so keeping up with routine maintenance is essential.
Regularly inspecting your tires for signs of delamination is also a good idea. This happens when the multiple plies of rubber and steel wire in the tires start to separate, leaving air pockets between belts that reduce traction and stability. Also, check for punctures (nails, screws, glass shards, etc.), sidewall damage, and bubbles in the tires.