What do they check in a car inspection?

Typically lights, tires, brakes, steering, suspension, wipers, mirrors, horn, seat belts, windscreen, exhaust and emissions. Exact items vary by state or country.

Will a check engine light fail inspection?

In many emissions-testing areas, yes. Get the fault diagnosed and fixed before the test.

How early can I get an MOT?

Up to a month minus a day before your current MOT expires, keeping the same renewal date, according to GOV.UK.

What is the minimum legal tread depth?

1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread in the UK. Many US states use 2/32 inch.

What are MOT advisories?

Items that passed but are wearing and may need attention soon. Fix them before they become failures.

Car Inspection Checklist: Pass the MOT/State Test / CarO

Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 21 October 2026

Quick answer: A car inspection checklist covers what testers commonly check: lights and indicators, tire tread and condition, brakes, wipers and washers, mirrors, horn, seat belts, windscreen damage, exhaust and emissions, and warning lights. In the UK, the MOT applies yearly once a car is three years old. Fixing simple items beforehand avoids an easy fail.

TL;DR

Check lights, tires, wipers, washer fluid, horn and mirrors yourself.
A lit check engine light can fail emissions tests.
Book the test before your deadline; GOV.UK lets you MOT up to a month early.

This car inspection checklist helps you pass a state safety or emissions inspection in the US, or the MOT in the UK, by fixing easy items first. Rules differ by state and country, so check your local requirements too.

Quick checks you can do at home

All lights: headlights, brake lights, indicators, number-plate lights.
Tires: tread above the legal minimum (1.6 mm across the central three-quarters in the UK; many US states use 2/32 inch), no cuts or bulges (when to replace tires).
Wipers clear the screen; washer fluid topped up (wiper blades).
Horn works; mirrors intact; seat belts latch and retract.
No large chips or cracks in the driver's view.
No warning lights on, especially the check engine light.

What the tester checks

Brakes (performance and condition), steering and suspension, exhaust and emissions, body condition and sharp edges, fuel system leaks, and the VIN. Emissions testing in some US states reads the car's OBD-II system, so an illuminated check engine light or recently cleared codes can mean a fail.

UK MOT basics

GOV.UK says you must get an MOT by the third anniversary of registration (fourth in Northern Ireland) and every year after, and you can get one up to a month minus a day before the current one runs out while keeping the same renewal date. You can check MOT history for past advisories.

After the test

Fix advisories before they become fails, log the result and any repairs in CarO, and set next year's reminder with the service reminder tool. The car maintenance checklist and how often to service a car keep the car ready year-round.

Download CarO free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional in-app purchases.

Sources

GOV.UK: Getting an MOT: www.gov.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
GOV.UK: Check the MOT history of a vehicle: www.gov.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
GOV.UK: The Highway Code, Annex 6 (vehicle maintenance, safety and security): www.gov.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
AAA: The Check Engine Light, Common Causes and How to Fix It: www.aaa.com (accessed 21 October 2026)
NHTSA: Tire Safety (TireWise): www.nhtsa.gov (accessed 21 October 2026)

Disclaimer: CarO and this website give general car-care information, not professional advice. Maintenance intervals and specifications vary by vehicle, so always follow your owner's manual and a qualified mechanic. Mileage and cost figures are estimates; check local tax rules before using any log for deductions.

Car Inspection Checklist