What is a car inspection?
It is a test to check the technical condition of a vehicle. It is compulsory in Poland and must be carried out annually at any diagnostic station. In the case of showroom cars, the first inspection should be carried out 3 years after first registration, then after two years, and thereafter on an annual basis.
What is checked during the car inspection?
- level of carbon dioxide emissions and smoke opacity,
- the technical condition of the electrical system
- operation of the horn,
- the state of the number plate,
- VIN number, mileage and check against the registration certificate,
- condition of lighting, tyres, and steering, braking and suspension systems,
- operation of systems and components that directly affect driving safety.
How much does a car inspection cost?
In Poland, the price is PLN 99. It includes a fee for the development of the Central Register of Vehicles and Drivers. Payment is made before the inspection. If defects are found during the inspection, the vehicle will have to be inspected again after repair. For cars with a gas installation, the cost of the test is 63 PLN more. Taxi drivers, on the other hand, will pay an additional 42 zloty.
What are the penalties for failing to carry out the inspection?
First and foremost, the inspection should be carried out for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users. It allows you to quickly locate faults that you were not aware of, which often appear during the operation of the vehicle. In addition, faster detection, allows repairs to be made before the fault becomes more serious and a visit to the mechanic even more expensive. It is also worth mentioning that driving a car without an inspection may result in a high fine of up to PLN 3,000. Therefore, this is another reason why it is not worth risking driving an uninspected car. Often, too, in the event of a collision, the insurer may refuse OC and AC benefits or significantly reduce them. A car check-up should be carried out once a year. It costs less than PLN 100 and thanks to it we can get to know the technical condition of our vehicle and make sure that driving it is safe and there is no risk of anything bad happening. What is more, you can protect yourself from a very high fine.