Changes to Used Vehicle Safety Requirements effective July 1st!

Changes to Vehicle Safety Check Requirements in Ontario

Long overdue changes to improve vehicle safety through more rigorous requirements in the Ontario Vehicle Safety Check process went into effect on July 1st, 2016.  The vehicle inspection process, in the past, was a fairly basic procedure with little more than the vehicle's brakes and lights checked.  All that has now changed.  Obtaining a safety inspection certificate when you are planning to sell your vehicle can no longer be taken lightly as it will now involve more areas of inspection and higher standards, and you will be prohibited from selling a vehicle without one.

This change will impact anyone who wants to sell their used vehicle. The cost of used vehicles may be affected as well if sellers attempt to pass on the higher cost of inspection to the new owners. On the other hand, vehicle purchasers can now be assured that the used vehicle they buy is safe to drive. The new standards applies to non-commercial vehicles and is termed the Passenger/Light Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard, regulation 611 under the Highway Traffic Act.

The new standards were developed by the Ministry of Transportation in consulation with experienced technicians licenced in vehicle inspection, and are heralded as a substantial improvement in the quality of inspection (Autotrader.ca, January 20, 2016).  The Ontario Safety Standard Certificate (SSC) is issued to motor vehicles that pass inspection by licensed mechanics. The more rigorous inspection process attempts to ensure that unsafe motor vehicles are not allowed on the roads in Ontario, with the ultimate goal of reducing injury resulting from mechanical problems. 

What Does the New Inspection Entail?

Key changes to the new safety inspection requirements include a more rigorous check of the powertrain portion of the car such as the gas, clutch, and brake pedals as well as the vehicle's exhaust system. Tire tread depth will be required to be deeper, which will help save lives in and of itself.

Occupant protection systems such as airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners must be tested via the telltale diagnostic lamp test. The telltale diagnostic lamp is a vital warning of a system failure that drivers often ignore as a nuisance. In reality, failing to immediately address the airbag and seatbelt tension problems could mean the difference between life and death should you get into an accident.

Increased Cost of Inspections

Auto Mechanics agree that the cost of getting your vehicle inspected will go up by approximately 50-75% to around $125 per inspection. That figure does not include the new sensor lights, brake pads, new tires and a multitude of other repairs that may be required for your car to pass inspection and be drive-worthy. Such repairs and replacements that now have to be made that were heretofore thought of as unnecessary can add hundreds of dollars to an inspection bill,  business that garage owners will be happy to accept.  Auto inspection mechanics can mandate a vehicle owner make repairs and replace parts citing that the garage owner could be held liable should the customer leave without them and get into an accident.

It is the responsibility of every motor vehicle operator to comply with the new vehicle inspection requirements and receive an Ontario Safety Standard Certificate.  Some studies suggest that about 10 per cent of collisions are caused by faulty car parts/mechanics or wear and tear on the automobile. Certainly, if  more rigorous vehicle safety checks can save lives, it is a welcome change.

For more complete information on the new motor vehicle inspection requirements, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation web page located at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/pdfs/passenger-light-duty-vehicle-inspection-standard.pdf