Video: What’s in a Vehicle Inspection?

ROHNERT PARK — Host, Sarah Rutan: Most auto shops claim to provide full vehicle inspections with every service, but what exactly should this entail? Today we’re in Rohnert Park with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Will Trbovich of Acurit Auto Repair to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Will Trbovich: So, if you’ve taken your car in for a repair or you’re picking it up, you might ask them a question, “How was my tire pressure?” If they can’t answer that question, then a proper inspection has not even been started on your car. What is a proper inspection? First, the oil and the coolant should be checked before a road test. Then, the car should be road tested to see if there are any unusual noises or problems inherent in the car. Then, the car should be brought into the shop and the hood should be lifted up again and all the fluids, the belts, the hoses, or anything out of place, or any oil leaks at the top of the engine should be inspected.

Then once that’s done, then the car should be raised in the air and then physically inspected for tire wear, tire nails, or any kind of problems with the tires. Suspension should be checked. The exhaust system should be checked. And then, you’ll want to have them look at any oils leaks that might be present in the car. All the lights, brake lights, tail lights, all those things should be inspected. You know, you certainly don’t want to get pulled over for having a tail light out or something like that. So, if someone tells you that they’ve done an inspection on your car, you could ask them some of these questions. Ask them, “You know, how are my lights? Are all my lights working? And how’s my tire pressure?” That would indicate whether or not a proper inspection has been done.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local, top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.org.