How Often Does a Vehicle Need To Be Inspected?

Every vehicle owner knows that sometimes they have to bring in their car for inspection. There are different kinds of inspections your vehicle may need, and it’s important you get them done at the right time. Read on to learn how often a vehicle needs to get inspected and better understand the different types of inspections and why they’re important.

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The Importance of Regular Vehicle Inspections

There are several reasons you need to get your vehicle inspected. Perhaps the main one is to comply with local laws, and each state has its own laws regarding required vehicle inspections. Some of these inspections help to ensure all vehicles on the road are safe, while others aim to combat theft and fraud. If you fail to comply with these inspections, you could face penalties, such as fines or license suspensions.

Another important reason to bring your vehicle in for an inspection is to identify any potential issues. One of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle lasts a long time is by carrying out regular maintenance and addressing issues before they get too big. Through inspections, you can learn what you need to do to keep your vehicle in great shape. This can also help you save money, as it’s often more affordable to maintain a vehicle than it is to repair one.

Finally, regular inspections can help your vehicle retain its value. When it comes time to sell, you’ll want to get as much for your vehicle as you can. Potential buyers will pay more for a vehicle that’s gone through all the proper inspections, as this shows it’s in good shape and that they are legally allowed to drive it.

Types of Vehicle Inspections

There are three different types of vehicle inspections you should know about. These are:

Safety Inspections

During a safety inspection, a trained technician looks at your vehicle’s vital systems. The goal of a safety inspection is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to operate on the road. This protects not only you as the driver of the vehicle but also other motorists on the road. While some states require regular safety inspections, Kentucky is not one of them. However, it’s not a bad idea to bring in your vehicle for a basic safety inspection every few thousand miles to ensure that it’s running efficiently and you’re safe on the road.

Emissions Inspections

Emissions inspections are carried out to help improve air quality. They check to make sure your vehicle’s emissions are below a certain level. Since vehicle components can wear down over time, it’s more important to check for these emission levels on older vehicles. Currently, some states have emission inspection requirements, though they may depend on the particular city or age of the car. Some vehicles may also be exempt, such as electric cars that don’t produce emissions since they’re more environmentally friendly. Kentucky doesn’t currently require an emissions inspection.

VIN Inspections

Finally, there are VIN inspections. VIN stands for vehicle identification number. Every vehicle has its own unique VIN, which helps to track vehicle ownership. The purpose of a VIN inspection is to prevent fraud, which includes grand theft auto and parts fraud. This is an inspection that the state of Kentucky requires. When you register an out-of-state vehicle within the state of Kentucky or when you reconstruct a vehicle out of one or more vehicles, it needs to go through a VIN inspection. This helps Kentucky prevent the trafficking of stolen vehicles and parts.

How Often Does a Vehicle Need To Be Inspected?

Now that you know about the different types of inspections, the question is how often you need to have your vehicle inspected. Legally speaking, you are only required to get a VIN inspection if you purchase a vehicle from another state or if you’re reconstructing a vehicle. You’ll want to go through this VIN inspection right away, as failure to do so could result in penalties.

As for safety and emissions inspections, Kentucky doesn’t require these by law. However, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle in for inspections anyway. Having a certified technician inspect your vehicle every 5,000 miles or so can alert you to any potential problems and help to ensure your vehicle continues to run efficiently. These inspections can also make sure your vehicle isn’t polluting the air too much, which will help the surrounding environment.

For a more accurate time frame, check your owner’s manual. Every vehicle has a recommended service schedule that owners should adhere to. For example, some Chrysler models recommend bringing a vehicle in for maintenance every 3,500 miles. Your owner’s manual can tell you the best times to bring your vehicle in for inspection and maintenance. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, our team can assist you. A small time commitment now can save you a lot of hassle and money in the future.

Get Your Next Vehicle Inspection at Dan Cummins CJDR of Georgetown

When you’re in need of a vehicle inspection, head on over to Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown, Kentucky. At our service center, we have certified technicians who can provide a thorough multi-point inspection of your vehicle. We’ll identify any issues you may need to be aware of and suggest ways to address them. With our help, you can keep your vehicle on the road for a long time to come.

To get started, you can schedule a service appointment online or contact us to schedule one over the phone. We’ll work with you to find a time that’s convenient for you. If you need help paying for repairs or maintenance, check out our service and parts financing. Finally, if you want to perform any repairs yourself, you can check out our parts department to get all the high-quality parts you need.

For more information about the required inspections in Kentucky, when you should bring your vehicle in, or what’s included in a multi-point inspection, feel free to contact us at any time.

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