Last Updated on April 3, 2023 by Ossian Muscad
Vehicle insurance cannot exist without the inspection procedure. There are a variety of reasons why a car needs to be inspected. For example, it may have been involved in an accident, in which case the carrier must evaluate the damage, or it may have been on the verge of a total loss, in which case the insurance company must decide whether salvage is necessary.
Before leasing out cars, a vehicle examination is also essential to uncover any concealed faults and determine the true “health” of the vehicle. Whatever the cause, if all parties engauged in the procedure do not clearly understand what it comprises, the vehicle inspection process could become a drawn-out affair.
This blog post describes the steps involved in the car inspection procedure. Additionally, we will compare the two main approaches to assessing cars: manually and automatically.
What is a Vehicle Inspection?
A vehicle inspection is a process of determining a vehicle’s general condition. It is carried out to assess a vehicle’s operational requirements, including those for maintenance, repair, and replacement operations. It is an important job that helps avoid operational flaws, including delays, expensive repairs, and non-compliance with safety regulations.
Purpose of Conducting a Vehicle Inspection
Here are some of the purposes of conducting a vehicle inspection:
Ensure Safety
The primary purpose of conducting a vehicle inspection is to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate. A thorough inspection can identify any potential issues with the brakes, steering, suspension, tires, lights, and other critical components that could compromise the safety of the vehicle and its passengers. Addressing these issues before they become significant problems can help prevent accidents and injuries.
Compliance
In many jurisdictions, vehicle inspections are required by law to ensure that vehicles meet certain safety and emissions standards. To register a vehicle or renew its registration, it must pass an examination. Inspections help ensure that all vehicles on the road meet the same minimum safety and environmental standards.
Preventative Maintenance
A vehicle inspection can also help identify minor problems before they become major ones, preventing breakdowns and costly repairs. By catching problems early, vehicle owners can take proactive steps to maintain their vehicle’s performance and reliability, reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and prolonging the vehicle’s lifespan.
What Are The Steps In The Inspection Process For A Vehicle?
A vehicle inspection aims to determine whether the vehicle is safe to drive. Is the driver secure? Does it require upkeep and repairs? Vehicle inspectors may also consider a car’s environmental friendliness and whether it will emit many pollutants due to internal damage or neglect.
The steps of the vehicle inspection procedure are completed to respond to these queries.
Checking the Identity Information
Before beginning the real vehicle inspection, the inspector must confirm a few facts about the vehicle and the owner. The insurance company or broker records this information when the consumer approaches them for an inspection. The manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, and unique VIN assigned to each automobile are all vital vehicle information (stamped under the windshield).
Initial Tasks
The inspector must complete a few preliminary activities before the vehicle may be disassembled and each component examined individually. They include writing down the mileage and ensuring the automobile starts and the engine turns over. This is thoroughly documented for future reference and as proof for the car owner.
Now the inspector can assess the condition of a vehicle’s parts.
Physical Examination of the Car
Damage to an automobile’s immediately exposed areas is evident to the bare eye. Vehicle inspectors will handle this first before going on to the “invisible” damage. There is no predetermined sequence for doing this, although checklists are available to guarantee a thorough job is done.
What Are the Things Included in Conducting a Vehicle Inspection?
Conducting a vehicle inspection involves checking various vehicle components to ensure it is safe to operate on the road. Here are some of the things included in driving a vehicle inspection:
- Brakes: Check the brake pads, rotors, calipers, and brake lines to ensure they are in good working condition.
- Tires: Inspect the tread depth, pressure, and general health of the tires. Make sure there are no punctures or cuts in the tires.
- Steering and suspension: Check the steering system for play or looseness, and make sure the suspension is in good working order.
- Lights and signals: Check all lights and signals, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights.
- Horn: Check the horn’s functionality by testing it.
- Windshield wipers and washers: Check the wipers and washers to ensure they are in good working order.
- Fluids: Check the fluid levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant.
- Belts and hoses: Check all belts and hoses for wear or damage.
- Exhaust system: Check the exhaust system for leaks or damage.
- Body and interior: Check the body and interior of the vehicle for any damage or defects.
Conducting a vehicle inspection regularly is essential to ensure that your vehicle is safe to operate on the road.Some inspectors use a binary (broken/not broken) checklist to assess a vehicle’s damage, while others might use a graded percentage rating. Inspectors will look for flaws in the fitment and durability and cracks, scratches, and dents.
Vehicle inspectors will take thorough notes at every stage of the inspection process. They are encouraged to snap images from various perspectives and take notes so there is visual proof.
Unknown Damages
A complete car examination can be performed manually up until this point. However, occasionally, damage caused by an accident or another event, such as a flood, may not be apparent to the naked eye. This includes aging of auto parts, loose wires, moisture damage, and rusting. The car would have to be disassembled to reveal this damage. An inspector would undoubtedly like to avoid this, with a few exceptions.
So, should the vehicle inspection procedure completely halt following the physical inspection? Without a doubt. Human inspectors are limited in their ability to be comprehensive, and their assessment of the damage may not be accurate.
Artificial intelligence can help in this situation. With the help of computer vision and picture identification, artificial intelligence (AI) may detect hidden damage that is too difficult to see for even a professional vehicle inspection.
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