Vehicle Inspection – Price and Preparation 2026
The periodic vehicle inspection is a familiar yearly routine for every car owner. It typically costs €40–60, and with good preparation you avoid a re-inspection. In this guide we cover the schedules, the price and the checklist.
When is the car inspected?
- First inspection – by the age of 4 at the latest.
- Following inspections – every two years.
- From the age of 10 – annually.
The schedules are set by law, and you should check them on Traficom’s website.
How much does the inspection cost?
| Service | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Periodic inspection | €35–50 |
| Emissions test (petrol) | €5–15 |
| Total | €40–60 |
The price is not regulated, so compare station prices, for example in the katsastushinnat.fi service.
What is checked at the inspection?
- Lights and electrical equipment
- Brakes and the braking system
- Tyres, suspension and axles
- Steering and controls
- Exhaust and OBD fault codes
- Underbody, bodywork and corrosion
- Visibility: windscreen, wipers, mirrors
- Fluid leaks and noise
Preparation at home
- Check all the lights – also the rear fog light and the number plate light.
- Check the condition and pressure of the tyres.
- Clean the windscreen and wipers.
- Make sure the documents and insurance are in order.
- Clean the car – the inside and outside help the inspection.
If the car fails the inspection
- Re-inspection must be done within a month – otherwise the car is fully inspected again.
- The fault or defect should be fixed at a workshop before the re-inspection.
- Minor defects may only lead to a repair instruction without a new inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the inspection cost? The inspection typically costs €40–60 including the emissions test. Prices vary between stations, so compare before booking.
When is the car inspected? The first inspection is by the age of 4 at the latest, then every two years and annually from the age of 10.
What is checked at the inspection? Lights, brakes, tyres, suspension, steering, exhaust and OBD, underbody and visibility. The exact list is in Traficom’s instructions.
What do I do if the car fails the inspection? Fix the fault and take the car for a re-inspection within a month – otherwise it must be fully inspected again.
Book inspection preparation
If the car needs preparation, book a check at a workshop: compare car repair shops by city. The most popular cities are Helsinki, Tampere and Turku. Also read how to choose a good car repair shop or request a quote directly from a workshop.