To trust a machine, you must give it the care it needs, especially an automobile since it has over 30,000 spare parts that need to work simultaneously. In the case of automobiles, they are made to last more than a decade, but depending on the frequency of usage, wear and tear is always called for.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers understand the importance of safety and have efficient models in place for vehicle owners. Based on a study conducted by the United States Department of Transportation the rate of road accidents have increased over the period of 2010 to 2022. This makes vehicle safety inspection a definite need of the hour.
Through this blog, let us understand and answer some important questions, such as the contribution of vehicle safety inspection in preventing accidents, what kind of tests and repairs are included in the inspection, and the steps taken by OEMs to ensure the safety of vehicle owners.
Why is Vehicle Safety Inspection Important?
According to a study conducted in 2023 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), 25.4% of accidents that happened due to out-of-service vehicle violations were because of brake systems. With the help of this data, we can understand that vehicle inspection is crucial, as machines tend to wear out over time.
1. Identifying Potential Hazards
Inspection of vehicles is crucial to identify potential risks that could lead to accidents in the future. With a thorough examination of essential components of the vehicle, such as lights, suspension, brakes, and tires, any part or system that could cause damage to the vehicle can be repaired or replaced.
Addressing concerns that are directly related to safety is given utmost importance and checked even when they don’t show any visible signs of damage or malfunctioning. This way, the likelihood of any mishaps can be significantly reduced.
2. Road Safety
Abiding by standard road safety practices is necessary to ensure the safety of vehicle owners and the public. According to the latest laws, tires, lights, the breaking system, and the steering system need to be checked and inspected.
3. Preventing Equipment Failures
Thousands of spare parts in a vehicle must function simultaneously for it to perform at its full potential. As these machines are created to last for more than a decade, the materials used are sturdy, reliable, and engineered to withstand the changes that come with time. Although it is common for parts to sometimes malfunction and lose their strength over time.
It is always advised to get regular inspections done when you notice anything unusual. For example, there are several parts in a vehicle that are known to malfunction under stress if they are not in the right condition. A worn-out brake pad could be dangerous when paired with worn-out tires, as it can be highly hazardous.
4. Compliance With Safety Standards
Dealers and OEMs make sure that safety regulations and compliance standards are effectively met when it comes to taking inspections. Several regulatory bodies in the US supervise and ensure that all safety needs are met. Some of the organizations are
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
5. Low Maintenance Cost
With the help of proactive inspections and regular checks, the risk of any heavy equipment damage within the vehicle is reduced. This ensures that the vehicle performs at its full potential and even lasts longer than its expected lifetime. Considering the condition of the vehicle and the frequency of inspections, the vehicle owner can significantly save on maintenance and other operational damage.
6. Insurance Benefits
Vehicle owners who make sure to get vehicle inspections on a regular basis are considered responsible vehicle owners by insurance companies. In such cases, a regularly checked and well-maintained vehicle is less likely to face any operational damages.
Insurance companies see this as a good sign and offer the vehicle owner a lower premium price than the market standard. This is beneficial for vehicle owners, as they can now pay less premium at the cost of abiding by road safety laws.
What Does Vehicle Safety Inspection Include?
Here is a list of all the components that are checked during a standard vehicle inspection, along with their contribution to the performance of the vehicle.
1. Fluids
Several fluids are required for the optimal performance and operation of a vehicle. The absence of these liquids can cause corrosion, overheating, and other physical damages. During an inspection, all fluids are checked and refilled, including.
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Transmission fluid
- Brake fluid
2. Battery
The battery in a vehicle is essential for providing power for ignition, lights, and all other features in the vehicle that require electricity. During an inspection, the battery is checked for charge, condition, manufacturing, and connections to ensure that all electrical components function efficiently. Ignition is essential, and it is powered by the battery, which makes this step crucial.
3. Exhaust
Experts are inspected for any kind of damage, leaks, or attachment faults to ensure that the system is functioning in its optimal form. The primary function of an exhaust system is to prevent harmful pollutants from entering the vehicle cabin. Besides this function, it is also used to minimize noise and control emissions.
4. Suspension and Steering
A smoothly functioning vehicle or a new vehicle can ensure a bumpy road or an off-roading course without damaging the wheel alignment. Suspension and steering functions are essential for maintaining stability and control over the vehicle.
5. Tires
Tires are the main contact point of the vehicle with the road, which is why it is essential to check the condition of all the tires. The threads on the tire are responsible for friction between the road and the tires. With reduced traction, the stopping distance of the vehicle increases, impacting the overall control of the driver on the vehicle.
6. Lights
Lights and signals on a vehicle are an essential part of communication with other vehicle drivers on the road as well as pedestrians. Proper functioning lights are essential for signaling and safety in situations of extreme weather conditions as well as nighttime. Essential lights that are checked during the inspection include:
- Brake lights
- Turn signal
- Hazard Lights
- Headlights
- Taillights
Now that we know why vehicle inspections are essential and which parts of the vehicle are inspected to minimize accidents, let us understand what kind of measures OEMs and dealers are taking.
How are OEMs and Dealers Ensuring Vehicle Safety?
OEMs and dealers enhance their inspection procedure frequently to ensure maximum efficiency of their product. This is followed strictly as it affects the reputation of the company and directly impacts its brand image. Here are the several innovative initiatives taken by OEMs and dealers to ensure safety and reliability in their machines.
1. Modern Inspection Software
Trained technicians have begun using smart vehicle inspection software to detect any internal defects or problems with vehicles. This method is faster and more efficient and also helps in foreseeing future repairs based on the manufacturing, condition, and make of the product.
2. Efficient Training
With frequent changes and updates, it became essential to maintain the right flow of information among technicians. To tackle this, dealers started generously investing in training technicians frequently and keeping them up to date.
3. Customer Awareness
Dealers have constantly practiced and imparted the importance of regular vehicle inspections to customers. They have been accompanying this with routine reminder calls and checkups. Dealers have also started giving special offers to customers who stay regular to the vehicle's safety.
Final Word
Vehicle safety inspection is a game changer for OEMs and dealers since it is associated with the safety of their customers. They are compelled to constantly improve their techniques and methods to stay ahead of the market and abide by compliance. Finally, roadworthy safety checks on vehicles prevent mishaps, hence paving the way for better road security.
Regular checks will also help in detecting any possible risk and preventing breakdowns, which allow good performance by cars. Due to this, OEMs and dealers take concrete steps to use updated software on vehicle inspections and invest in technicians' training to make these inspections more efficient and wide-ranging.
Not only do these actions help the cars pass through such periods, but with their advantage of having low maintenance costs and lower insurance premiums, car owners will be at an advantage. By giving importance to frequent examinations and adopting advanced technologies, the case of making roads safer can be approached, due to which cases of accidents would reduce and further lead to saving lives and properties.
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