Regular vehicle inspections are a cornerstone of Singapore's commitment to road safety and environmental responsibility and are part of the costs of owning a car. These mandatory checks ensure that all vehicles meet stringent safety standards and adhere to environmental regulations, safeguarding both drivers and pedestrians.

For vehicle owners, a clear understanding of the inspection types, associated costs, and procedures is essential to stay compliant and avoid potential fines.

In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) mandates periodic vehicle inspections to maintain roadworthiness and environmental compliance. These inspections are conducted by LTA-authorised centres, including VICOM, STA, and JIC. Common inspection types encompass:

• Periodic Vehicle Inspection (PVI): Routine assessments to ensure vehicles meet safety and emission standards.

• Emissions tests: Evaluations to confirm that vehicles comply with environmental emission requirements.

• Specialised inspections: Checks for used cars, vehicles with special permits, or those undergoing modifications.

Regular safety inspections are vital to ensure that vehicles are in optimal condition, thereby reducing the risk of accidents due to mechanical failures.

Common areas to check for during these inspections include:

• Braking system: Ensuring brakes function effectively.

• Tyres: Checking for adequate tread depth and overall condition.

• Lights and indicators: Verifying that all lights and signals operate correctly.

• Steering and suspension: Assessing for proper alignment and responsiveness.

• Windshield and wipers: Check the windshield for any cracks or chips and ensure that wipers function effectively to provide a clear view during adverse weather conditions.

The cost of safety inspections in Singapore varies based on several factors:

Price limits

Inspection fees are regulated and relatively standard across authorised centres:

• Cars & station wagons: S$68.67​

• Motorcycles: S$20.71

• Taxis & private hire vehicles: S$68.67​

• Re-inspection fees: Approximately 50% of the initial inspection cost (e.g., S$34.34 for cars).​

These prices are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST). ​

Where to get your car inspected

Main authorised inspection centres include:

• VICOM: Multiple locations islandwide.

• STA Inspection: Centres in Boon Lay and Sin Ming.​

• JIC Inspection: Facilities in Ang Mo Kio and Pioneer.

These centres vary in their opening hours, and VICOM and STA Inspection provide online booking systems to facilitate scheduling.

However, JIC Inspection doesn’t offer an online booking option, so you will need to visit their centers during operating hours without a prior appointment.

New vs used vehicles

Whether it’s a new or a used vehicle, the inspection prices will be the same. There will only be price differences between vehicle types and between the first inspection and subsequent inspections.

The age of the car

Inspection frequency is determined by the vehicle's age:

• Less than 3 years old: Typically exempt from inspection.​

• 3 to 10 years old: Biennial (every two years) inspection required.

• Over 10 years old: Annual inspection mandated.​

Certain vehicles, like private hire vehicles over 10 years old, may require inspections every six months.

Emissions inspections are designed to ensure vehicles meet environmental standards aimed at reducing pollution and promoting cleaner air in Singapore. These tests assess the levels of pollutants emitted from the vehicle's exhaust system and focus on two things:

• Functionality of emission-control systems: This involves evaluating components such as the engine, exhaust system, and other related parts to ensure they are operating correctly and effectively minimizing emissions. ​

• Measurement of exhaust pollutants: The inspection measures the levels of specific pollutants emitted from the vehicle's exhaust, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM), to verify compliance with environmental standards.

» MORE: How much does routine car maintenance cost?

Cost of emissions testing

​In Singapore, emissions testing fees vary by vehicle type and the specific tests required.

For instance, a standard car inspection costs approximately S$68.67, with additional fees for tests like the High Idle Emission Test (S$7.63) for petrol vehicles registered on or after April 1, 2014. Motorcycles have a base inspection fee of about S$20.71, with an extra S$2.18 for the Hydrocarbon Emission Test if registered on or after July 1, 2003.

Where you live

There’s no need to worry about your local dealers charging you exorbitant prices. Although there is no standardised price, prices vary only slightly between authorised inspection centers.

Type of vehicle

Emissions testing requirements differ among vehicle types. Diesel cars are subject to a mandatory smoke test to measure particulate emissions while petrol cars undergo either a high idle or hydrocarbon test, depending on their registration date.​

Age of vehicle

The applicable emissions test is determined by the vehicle's age:

• Petrol cars registered before April 2014: Hydrocarbon Emission Test

• Petrol cars registered after April 2014: High Idle Emission Test

When purchasing a used vehicle, conducting thorough inspections is vital to assess its condition and value accurately.

Certified pre-owned

Authorised dealers may offer certified pre-owned cars that have undergone prior inspections and come with limited warranties. While these vehicles may cost more, they provide peace of mind with documented roadworthiness and compliance.

Used cars (Not certified or inspected)

When you buy a used car that hasn’t been certified or inspected yet, it’s not mandated, but it’s highly recommended that you bring it for an independent inspection. Again, rates don’t differ between new and used cars, so you won’t be paying more for the standard inspection.

If you’re buying a used car, you can actually request the vehicle inspection history from LTA, but the vehicle inspection history mainly reflects the vehicle's compliance with basic roadworthiness and emissions standards and won’t go too in-depth into things like state of the engine, transmission, or potential accident damage.

As such, to ensure you’re not buying a car with any huge issues, it’s best to bring it for a standard inspection. A standard inspection will help you check the following, among other things:

• Wear and tear: Assessing the condition of critical components.​

• Hidden defects: Identifying any underlying issues not immediately visible.​

• Emissions compliance: Ensuring the vehicle meets environmental standards.​

You can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$160, which is a small sum to pay to avoid later having to pay for hefty repairs for issues that you didn’t discover until you took over the car