Do Vehicle Inspections Reduce Accidents? The Global and US Perspective

There isn't a global overseeing body for vehicle inspections. This lack leads to different inspection policies in every country. Variations extend past inspection regularity. Some governments enforce advanced safety features, weight penalties, and entrance inspections.

These more comprehensive inspection routines can be more expensive for vehicle owners but are linked to lower crash fatality rates.

US Vehicle Inspections 

The US government leaves vehicle inspection requirements to individual state and county governments. This can create large disparities in crash statistics within the country.

• Safety Inspections Requirements: Set by each state or county. Most states mandate a check either every one or two years. Others, like Alaska, do not require any safety inspections.
• Emission Inspection Requirements: Set by each state or county. These tests are often restricted to relatively modern cars.
• Inspection Content: Mechanics check for signs of future failure, such as draining liquid, damaged chassis, or excessive wear on key components like tires or brake pads. They do not confirm 
• Cost Range: $20 to $150, depending on the state and inspection type.

Canada Vehicle Inspections

Canada also has different inspection mandates based on the province. Private inspections are delivered by authorized mechanics in accordance with Canada's Private Vehicle Inspection Program (PVIP).

• Safety Inspections Requirements: Regulations vary by province. Many provinces require annual or biennial checks. Other areas only require inspection when registering the vehicle from another jurisdiction, for a sale, or after a wreck.
• Emission Inspection Requirements: No national emission requirements. These tests are not commonly required for private vehicles, but are stricter for commercial vehicles.
• Inspection Content: Mechanics check critical safety components like brakes, lights, tires, suspension, and fluid levels.
• Cost Range: $100 to $200 CAD, depending on the location.

EU Vehicle Inspections

The EU is initiating programs to reduce crash fatality rates to zero. One of their methods is to improve the competencies of testing facilities and inspectors. “Many European countries operate state-run inspection stations, where inspections are standardized, impartial, and typically performed annually on every vehicle.” states Rushit Hila, the founder of YOUCANIC

These more frequent inspections and improved safety technology regulations have decreased road deaths by 16 percent in the past decade.

• Safety Inspections Requirements: In nearly all member states, annual or biennial checks are required. Commercial vehicles are subject to unannounced roadside inspections.
• Emission Inspection Requirements: Every EU country requires emissions testing. Personal vehicles are repeatedly tested once the model is out for a few years, becoming exempt after a certain age.
• Inspection Content: Inspectors must be authorized by a member state or certified testing facility. Inspections cover the typical safety features and check driver-assistance technologies when applicable.
• Cost Range: Varies in each member state, but is typically between $150 and $300.

Japanese Vehicle Inspections

Japan has an even lower vehicle death rate than most EU countries. Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) inspections, also known as Shaken, are more comprehensive than in America.

• Safety Inspections Requirements: Inspections must be performed every two years at a government-approved mechanic or inspection center.
• Emission Inspection Requirements: Emissions testing is required as part of the standard inspection.
• Inspection Content: Inspectors check the vehicle’s condition, safety components, and illegal modifications. Vehicles are also assigned a weight tax and mandatory 2-year insurance. 
• Cost Range: $400 to $500 USD, depending on the state and inspection type.

Impact of Inspection Frequency

Although not the only factor in lowering road death rates, biennial or annual inspections appear to be advantageous. The EU has an average fatality rate of 4.4 per 100,000 people, and Japan's is even lower, at 2.6.

Both the EU and Japan have more standardized and thorough safety inspection processes that catch issues leading to malfunctioning brakes, tire blowouts, or steering failure. By contrast, the inconsistent quality of US inspections may leave more room for missed defects, resulting in increased crashes.

Some vehicle owners avoid inspections due to the off-putting costs. However, periodic preventative expenses are far more manageable than paying for repairs after an accident.

“The cost argument against inspections falls apart when you see the real numbers. My customers who do voluntary annual inspections spend about $200-300 yearly on preventive maintenance. Those who skip inspections? They're looking at $1,200-2,000 emergency repairs…” - states James Stephens, the owner of Gower's Brake & Alignment.

Below are the expected cost ranges for basic inspections in different regions:

• United States: $20 to $150
• EU Member States: $120 to $270
• Japan: $400 to $500

The average cost of vehicle inspections is higher in more safety-focused countries. However, the EU and Japan typically bundle multiple processes into their inspections, such as calculating taxes and registering insurance.

Japanese and many EU countries’ inspections only occur biannually. This means that their overall cost is more similar to that of American vehicle owners who participate in annual checkups.

Insurance companies price customers based on their risk of filing a claim. Passing inspections indicates that the vehicle is in good condition and is less likely to be involved in a mechanically-caused accident.

“When I review accident reports, cars in non-inspection states are about 30% more likely to have accidents attributed to preventable mechanical problems. This data directly influences how insurance companies set rates by state,” shares Jeffrey Joseph, VP at Mitchell-Joseph Insurance.

Vehicle issues like blown tires account for 3 to 19 percent of crashes in developed countries. Even at its lowest, three percent is more than enough to catch an insurer's eye.

An analysis of Alabama vehicles has found that uninspected vehicles were up to 9.1 percent more likely to be involved in a crash. Additionally, another study found that vehicles with a defect were up to 3.5 times more likely to result in a fatality.

Performing a routine inspection can address both these issues from an insurance agency's point of view. This step is frequently required when shopping for higher-tier coverage or to secure lower premiums.

What Studies Say About Inspections Preventing Vehicle Failures

Critics of stronger inspection regulations state that maintaining dedicated testing facilities is not cost-efficient. They claim those funds would be better allocated to improving general road infrastructure and programs that help put people in more modern, safety-enhanced vehicles.

Many states have repealed their mandatory inspection protocols. These states also point to unchanged fatality rates or crashes after repealing inspection programs.

However, some experts note that limitations in crash data may cause an under-recording of vehicle-defect-attributed crashes. Results are mixed, but some studies show that vehicles can benefit from safety inspections.

For example, an estimation of Pennsylvania's vehicle safety inspection program expected up to 169 fewer fatal crashes due to more widespread inspections. This difference appeared most prominently in vehicles between 3 and 9 years old.

International Comparisons

Many developed nations have lower vehicle fatality rates than the US, and they have adopted stricter inspection programs and automotive safety requirements.

• Japan's "Shaken" Program: Requires all vehicles over three years old to be inspected biennially. Approved mechanics confirm the vehicle's safety features and physical condition to a rigorous standard. The $400 to $500 USD cost covers the inspection and other government-required vehicle fees.
• The European Union: The EU ensures roadworthiness through on-site and roadside inspections. Europe requires vehicles to include additional safety features such as automatic braking, causing inspections to be more comprehensive than in the US. The costs range depending on the country, but are typically between $100 and $300 USD.
• Canada: Inspection requirements in Canada are similar to those in the US. Most provinces require periodic inspections, but some only require inspection after a crash or when first entering the jurisdiction