A vehicle inspection is a structured evaluation of a car’s safety, emissions, and overall condition before registration, resale, or transport. The time required varies by inspection type—most safety checks take 30–45 minutes, emissions tests 15–30 minutes, while comprehensive pre-purchase inspections may require 1–2 hours depending on vehicle complexity and state requirements.
Introduction
Have you ever waited nervously in a mechanic’s office, tapping your foot and wondering if you’ll ever see your car again? Everybody has been there. It might become annoying not to know how long does a vehicle inspection take, especially if you have a hectic schedule.
Although you may have heard terrifying tales of inspections taking hours, the reality is that this is not necessarily the case. How long does a car inspection take at a dealership, then? It’s not as easy as you may imagine. The sort of inspection, the state of your car, and even the mechanic’s workload are some of the variables that affect this.
So, keep reading and exploring to learn each and every detail about how long do state inspections take and also how long does a car inspection take at a dealership in 2026.
What is Vehicle Inspection and Why Does it Matter?
A car inspection is a thorough examination of a motor vehicle to determine that it fulfills specified safety, emissions, and operational criteria. These inspections are essential for environmental compliance, vehicle safety, and preserving the value of your car. The standards for inspections vary by state; some require routine emissions testing, safety inspections, or both.
Brakes, suspension, tires, lighting, steering, and important engine parts are all examined during a thorough automotive inspection. Additionally, modern examinations evaluate advanced driver aid technology, emissions systems, and onboard diagnostics before car transport.
Vehicles in 2026 will be smarter, more connected, and more complicated than ever before. This complexity raises the possibility of hidden flaws. Even a minor sensor malfunction might take down vital safety features. Unnoticed software problems might impact fuel efficiency and performance. Frequent car checks shield drivers from costly surprises.
The strongest argument for the importance of automotive inspections is still safety. Devastating accidents might result from worn suspension parts or malfunctioning brakes. Compliance with emissions is also becoming more and more important.
Vehicles must adhere to stricter environmental regulations. Fines or delays in registration may follow an unsuccessful inspection and put impact on how long does a vehicle inspection take in 2026.
Inspections of vehicles also preserve their financial worth. Before finalizing a transaction, buyers require recorded inspection reports. Verified condition assessments are becoming more and more important to lenders and insurers. A clean automotive inspection record increases buyer trust and resale value. Moreover, it will have a great impact on the auto transport cost.
Also Read: How To Buy Cars at Auction: Smart Strategies To Maximize Your Savings
How Long Does a Vehicle Inspection Take in 2026?
Understanding the normal car service duration for inspections allows you to plan ahead of time and reduces wait times at inspection stations. Below is a full breakdown of how long does a vehicle inspection take for various inspection types:
1. Safety Inspection. Duration: 30-45 Minutes.
A normal vehicle safety inspection takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. During this time, technicians go over a checklist of safety components to ensure that everything fulfills the necessary criteria. The car inspection procedure for safety includes:
- Initial documentation (5 minutes): Verification of car registration, insurance, and prior inspection records
- External light and signal check (5-10 minutes): Testing of all outside lighting systems.
- Braking system evaluation (5-10 minutes): Test brake function, check fluid levels, and inspect components.
- Suspension and steering examination (5-10 minutes): Checking for extreme play, wear, or damage
- Tire examination (5 minutes): measuring tread depth, checking sidewall quality, and ensuring adequate inflation.
- Glass and mirror examination (5 minutes): Examining the windshield, windows, and mirrors for damage
- Windshield wiper testing (3 minutes): Ensures proper operation and blade condition.
- Safety gear verification (5 minutes): Checking seatbelts, horns, and other safety features
- Documentation & inspection sticker issuance (3 minutes): Complete paperwork and provide proof of inspection.
The state-mandated automotive inspection time may differ depending on your region. For example, a Virginia state inspection may have different standards than one in Texas or North Carolina, impacting overall vehicle checkup time. Additionally, older vehicles or those with evident faults may necessitate longer examination durations.
2. Emissions Testing Takes 15-30 Minutes.
Emissions testing normally takes 15-30 minutes to complete, depending on the type of test and your vehicle’s characteristics. The duration of how long does a vehicle inspection take for emissions includes:
- Initial check-in and paperwork (5 minutes): Validation of vehicle information and testing requirements
- OBD system scan (5-10 minutes): In order to collect emissions data, technicians connect a scanner to modern cars that have built-in diagnostic systems.
- Tailpipe testing (10-20 minutes): Older or diesel-powered vehicles frequently require immediate evaluation of exhaust emissions, which takes longer.
- Visual inspection (5-10 minutes): Technicians inspect emissions-related components such as the catalytic converter, exhaust system, and gas cap.
- Documentation & certification (3-5 minutes): Process test results and provide relevant documentation.
The time necessary for automotive inspections may be prolonged if your vehicle is diesel or if your state has extremely stringent emissions regulations. Some jurisdictions have developed more efficient testing processes, which can reduce overall time, especially for newer vehicles with enhanced onboard diagnostic capabilities.
Also Read: Cost to Ship a Car: A Complete Breakdown For First-Time Shippers
3. Pre-Purchase Inspection Takes 1-2 Hours.
A thorough pre-purchase inspection usually lasts 1-2 hours, making it the most time-consuming sort of inspection. This detailed examination on how long does a vehicle inspection take includes the following:
- Initial documentation review (10 min): Examining the vehicle’s papers, including title, registration, and service records.
- Exterior examination (15-20 minutes): Checking body panels, paint, glass, lighting, and trim for damage or signs of repairs.
- Interior examination (10-15 minutes): Examining the upholstery, dashboard, steering wheel, and accessories
- Electronic systems testing (15-20 minutes): Verify the functionality of all electronic components, including onboard computers.
- Under-hood inspection (20-25 minutes): Checking the engine, fluid levels, belts, hoses, and battery.
- Undercarriage investigation (15-20 minutes): Check the frame, suspension, exhaust system, and symptoms of leakage.
- Test drive (15-20 minutes): Assessing the vehicle’s performance under different road conditions
- Final assessment and report (10-15 minutes): Compiling findings and creating a detailed report
If you’re thinking about buying a secondhand car, investing in a more thorough automotive inspection can help you avoid expensive repairs. Additional examinations of airbag systems and seat belt pretensioners are required for vehicles that have been involved in a collision.
What Are The Different Types of Vehicle Inspection?
After discussing how long does a vehicle inspection take, let’s discuss the different types of inspections you can do before knowing how to ship a car to another state.
State Inspection
Many states require this mandatory check to make sure your car satisfies safety and pollution regulations. Lights, brakes, tires, steering, suspension, and the exhaust system are among the vital parts that are inspected.
Depending on the intricacy of your car and any potential problems, a standard state inspection might take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.
Pre-Purchase Inspection
A pre-purchase inspection is a smart investment if you’re thinking about purchasing a secondhand car. In addition to a test drive, this complete inspection includes a detailed inspection of the vehicle’s body, electrical, and mechanical conditions.
Depending on how thorough the technician is and how complicated the car is, it can take one to two hours and is a more thorough evaluation than a state inspection.
Multipoint Inspection
A multipoint inspection is a methodical process in which an expert examines your vehicle in great detail. You will likely be given a report detailing any issues that arise during this process.
Diagnostic Inspection
To determine the underlying cause of a certain issue or symptom that your car is exhibiting, a diagnostic examination is conducted. To identify the problem, this kind of inspection frequently uses specific diagnostic instruments and methods. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes for a straightforward problem to several hours for more complicated ones. That will put impact on how long does a vehicle inspection take.
Routine Maintenance Inspection
A maintenance inspection concentrates on preventative care rather than safety. Your tire tread, battery health, oil level, and other elements are all carefully examined by this system. As a result, it is an excellent method to ensure that little issues do not ultimately require costly solutions. Another kind of multipoint evaluation is a maintenance check.
How Much Does an Automotive Inspection Cost?
The cost of the automotive inspection may vary depending on the type of inspection and the cost of the service center. Depending on the purpose of the inspection, which may include anything from a thorough diagnostic analysis to a quick look, a standard maintenance check entails a rigorous assessment of the integrity of every internal system to ensure the vehicle is operating as intended. To obtain the finest car transport information, a mileage fee will be assessed during a road test.
Inspections are probably less expensive during the first few years of ownership because a new car is unlikely to have any issues during that time.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Long Does It Take To Do A Full Car Inspection?
Depending on the vehicle’s age, complexity, and level of examination, a thorough, in-depth automotive inspection (like a pre-purchase inspection) usually takes one to three hours.
Does North Dakota Require A Vehicle Inspection?
No, routine, yearly, or emissions-related vehicle inspections are not required for passenger cars in North Dakota.
How Long Does a MD State Inspection Take?
The average duration of a state safety inspection in Maryland is between one and two hours, with many shops taking about 1.5 hours.
What Will Fail A Virginia State Inspection?
Tires with less than 2/32-inch tread, worn brake pads or components, broken lights, cracked windshields, and lit check engine or ABS lights are common causes of failing a Virginia (VA) auto safety inspection.
Conclusion
When shipping an automobile to a different state, you need to know how long does a vehicle inspection take in 2026. If you want your automobile to be inspected while it is being transported, there is a fee per mile. Moreover, if you’re trying to figure out what you need for a car inspection, click here. Moreover, we’ve covered all you need to know about how long does a car inspection take at a dealership.
You’re not sure what you’ll need to bring to our service center on the day of your inspection. To speed up the process of bringing your car in for inspection, you will need a driver’s license, proof of registration, a bill for sale or vehicle title, proof of insurance, and a way to pay.
Additionally, your documents must all be up to date. Moreover, you can use our car shipping cost calculator to calculate the total auto transport cost, including the automotive inspection.
