Don't lose money on your car inspections anymore! 5 reasons why the cost is too high and how to solve it

Many people feel that vehicle inspection fees are too expensive . If you leave it to a dealer, you may find that the cost is higher than you expected, or that more maintenance than necessary has been done.

In this article, we will clearly explain the reasons why vehicle inspections are so expensive and introduce five solutions to reduce costs while eliminating waste.

By reading this, you will find concrete tips to help you avoid regretting your next vehicle inspection by saying, ``It's too expensive!''

table of contents

1. Main reasons why vehicle inspection costs are high

   • 1-1 Characteristics of dealer vehicle inspections

   • 1-2 Excessive addition of maintenance items

     
     

2. Understand the market price and breakdown of vehicle inspections

   • 2-1 Legal expenses (taxes and insurance)

   • 2-2 Basic vehicle inspection fee and maintenance fee

     
     

3. Options to reduce vehicle inspection costs

   • 3-1 Utilizing private repair shops

   • 3-2 Trying out a user vehicle inspection

     
     

4. Tips for reducing vehicle inspection costs

   • 4-1 Prevention through regular maintenance

   • 4-2 Preliminary estimates and comparative considerations

     
     

5. Final checks to avoid losses during vehicle inspection

   • 5-1 Tips for spotting unnecessary exchanges

   • 5-2 Key points for choosing a reliable contractor

   
   

6. Characteristics of vehicle inspections at car consultation centers

   • 6-1 Characteristics of vehicle inspection

   • 6-2 Maintenance Features

   
   
   
   

-1. Main reasons why vehicle inspection costs seem high-

1-1 Characteristics of dealer vehicle inspections

A major benefit of having your car inspected at a dealership is the peace of mind it provides. The use of genuine parts and inspections by expert mechanics ensure high reliability and consistent quality. However, the cost tends to be more expensive than other options. Many people leave their car to the dealer for several years after purchasing a new car, so they are not in the habit of comparing costs and are prone to feeling that the price is too high. It is important to weigh peace of mind against cost and find the balance that suits you.

1-2 Excessive addition of maintenance items

When you have your car inspected, you may be asked to "fix this part while you're there." Of course, some maintenance is necessary for safety, but some parts may not yet be due for replacement. As a result, the estimate may be higher than expected, giving the impression that it is "too expensive." You can avoid unnecessary expenses by checking the need for replacement in advance or getting a quote from another company as a second opinion.

-2. Understanding the market price and breakdown of vehicle inspections-

2-1 Legal expenses (taxes and insurance)

Legal fees make up a large portion of vehicle inspection costs . These are fixed costs that will be incurred no matter which company you hire, such as automobile weight tax, compulsory automobile liability insurance premiums, and stamp duty. These vary depending on the year and weight of the car, but for a standard car, they are roughly 50,000 to 70,000 yen. Legal fees cannot be reduced, so it is important to first understand that these are the parts that will always be incurred.

2-2 Basic vehicle inspection fee and maintenance fee

Basic vehicle inspection fees and maintenance costs tend to vary from company to company. These vary greatly depending on the inspection labor cost, agency fees, and maintenance content . Dealers tend to be expensive, private workshops are in the middle, and specialized inspection chains are relatively cheap. Checking the breakdown of the quote will help you understand which parts are "expensive," which is the first step in cutting out unnecessary expenses.

-3. Options to reduce vehicle inspection costs-

3-1 Utilizing private repair shops

If you want to pay less than the dealership, we recommend using a private repair shop. They have nationally certified mechanics on staff, so you can trust their technical skills. You can also reduce costs by using aftermarket parts instead of genuine parts. Another benefit is that locally based shops are often flexible in their response, making it easier to avoid unnecessary maintenance. By considering options other than the dealership, you can wisely reduce your vehicle inspection costs.

3-2 Trying out a user vehicle inspection

For those who want to keep costs down the most, there is the option of a user vehicle inspection. This is a method where you take your car to the Land Transport Bureau yourself and have it inspected. There are no agency fees or labor costs, so you only pay the minimum legal fees. However, this requires knowledge of cars and effort, and there is a risk that the inspection will not pass if there is a problem. This can be a big savings for those with knowledge and time to spare, but if you are unsure, it is safer to consult a professional.

-4. Tips for reducing vehicle inspection costs-

4-1 Prevention through regular maintenance

If you need to make a lot of repairs and replacements right before your vehicle inspection, the costs will skyrocket. By performing regular maintenance on a daily basis, such as changing the oil and checking the tires and brake pads, you can avoid large expenses at the time of inspection. By planning small maintenance, you can ultimately keep the overall inspection costs low.

4-2 Preliminary estimates and comparative considerations

If you only decide on one company for your vehicle inspection, you may end up signing a contract that is too expensive. By getting quotes from multiple companies and comparing the content and price, you can cut down on unnecessary costs. Also, simply asking "Does this part really need to be replaced?" can help you avoid unnecessary additions. Gathering information and making comparisons in advance is a basic step in reducing vehicle inspection costs.

-5. Final check to avoid losses during vehicle inspection-

5-1 Tips for spotting unnecessary exchanges

Some contractors may recommend replacement for safety reasons. While necessary replacement is important, it is not uncommon for parts that "can still be used for another six months" to be replaced unnecessarily. By knowing when to replace them yourself or by consulting a third party, you can avoid unnecessary expenses.

5-2 Key points for choosing a reliable contractor

Ultimately, the most important thing is "who you entrust it to." In addition to the price, careful service and easy-to-understand explanations are also important points when choosing a company. Check reviews and reputations, and choose a reliable repair shop or vehicle inspection specialist. This will ultimately reduce unnecessary costs and lead to a satisfactory vehicle inspection.

-6. Characteristics of vehicle inspections at car consultation centers-

6-1 Characteristics of vehicle inspection

Our vehicle inspection service only requires the legal fee (a fee that everyone must pay equally) plus a basic fee of 18,700 yen (tax included) to pass the inspection. The process is as follows: 1) Inspection, 2) Maintenance, 3) Service installation, and 4) Delivery . We provide all three of these services free of charge to all our customers.

We offer free benefits such as hand car wash, headlight polishing, and interior cleaning .

6-2 Maintenance Features

Naturally, in order to pass a vehicle inspection, it must be in a safe condition for driving . We have two nationally certified mechanics who handle everything from inspections to maintenance. As a rule, we never perform "excessive maintenance" and only perform the bare minimum.

However, from the perspective of a mechanic, we prioritize the safety of our customers, and will also provide advice and consultation on areas where we recommend maintenance.

We also provide daily maintenance advice to help you keep your car as clean and safe as possible.