Vehicle Inspection in Finland: Cost and…

Preparing for a vehicle inspection does not mean guessing at faults or hiding them. Check the due date, go through the basic items you can see yourself and book a workshop inspection if the car has a new symptom or warning light. You will know what condition the car is in before the appointment and avoid rushed decisions afterwards.

A car undergoing a periodic vehicle inspection

Quick answer: when is a car inspected and what does it cost?

For an ordinary passenger car in Finland, the first periodic inspection is due no later than four years after the date it was put into service. After that, the inspection is due at least every two years. Once the car is more than ten years old, it is inspected annually. The exact due date is vehicle-specific: check Traficom’s instructions, the Oma asiointi service, your inspection certificate or the technical part of the registration certificate.

There is no single nationwide inspection price. The booking channel, station, powertrain and any legally required measurements affect the bill. The examples below are stations’ own published prices, not a national recommendation:

Price information, checked 9 September 2026	What the price includes	Published price
CityKatsastus Kehä 1	Passenger or van periodic inspection booked online	from €39
CityKatsastus Kehä 1	Inspection package with statutory emissions measurements, booked online	from €59
A-Katsastus Helsinki-Konala	Periodic inspection for a vehicle up to 3,500 kg	from €54
A-Katsastus Savonlinna-Mertala	Periodic inspection paid online, vehicle up to 3,500 kg	from €39

Before booking, check whether the price includes the measurements your car needs. Do not compare a bare starting price with a package that already includes an emissions test.

Periodic inspection schedule: first inspection by four years, then every two years, and annually for cars over ten years old

What is checked during a periodic inspection?

The inspection assesses the car’s condition and the information recorded in the register. Traficom’s inspection criteria define the items by vehicle type. For a passenger car, the inspector may assess:

identification details and register-related information;
brakes, steering, axles, tyres and suspension;
visibility, lights, reflectors and electrical equipment;
the underbody, bodywork and other safety-critical structures;
emissions or other environmental requirements that apply to the car;
required equipment and how it is secured.

An inspection is not a service or a repair. The station uses the available inspection methods and does not normally dismantle components. A new noise, vibration or unusual brake feel should therefore be checked at a workshop before the inspection.

A safe at-home preparation checklist

This list helps you spot ordinary, visible issues. If you are unsure about a safety-critical repair, ask a professional rather than attempting it yourself.

Test the headlamps, indicators, brake lights, number-plate light and, when applicable, the rear fog light. Ask someone to help or use a reflection.
Check the tyres visually and set their pressures according to the owner’s manual. Look for visible damage and uneven wear.
Make sure the windscreen, mirrors and lamps are clean. Check that the wipers work and that there is washer fluid.
Look for warning lights or messages on the dashboard. Do not reset a message just for the inspection; find out what caused it.
Listen for a new sound under braking, steering or from the suspension. Notice whether the car pulls sideways when braking.
Confirm the due date and what your booking includes. Bring the previous inspection certificate if you want to compare the findings.

Cleaning the car is not a substitute for repairs, but a clear windscreen, working lights and accessible equipment make the visit straightforward.

When is a pre-inspection workshop check worthwhile?

A workshop check is useful when the inspection is close and the car already has a symptom, an earlier defect list or a maintenance item that has been postponed. Ask in writing what will be inspected and how the garage will obtain approval for additional work. That keeps the check a preparation service instead of an unexpected repair bill.

Brakes, tyres, lights and warning messages deserve attention before inspection day. For more detail, see the brake service price guide and how to choose a good car repair shop.

If the car fails the inspection

An inspection decision can be approved, a repair instruction, failed or a driving ban. A repair instruction should be fixed as soon as possible; it is recorded in the register and on the inspection certificate. If the car fails, repair the listed faults and take it to a re-inspection within one month. After that deadline, the whole inspection is carried out again.

According to Traficom, if the car was presented during its normal inspection period, it may be driven for two months after a failure only when the faults that caused the failure have been repaired. A car under a driving ban must not be used in traffic without the inspector’s permission or a transfer permit. Read your own inspection certificate and follow its instructions.

Send the defect list to the garage unchanged. Ask for labour and parts to be itemised, and for the garage to contact you before any additional work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a vehicle inspection cost in Finland?

The station, booking method, vehicle and included measurements all affect the price. In price lists checked on 9 September 2026, a periodic inspection starts at €39, while a package including emissions measurements starts at €59 at the same CityKatsastus station. Check the exact contents of your booking.

When is a car due for inspection?

The first inspection is due no later than four years after the car entered service, then at least every two years, and annually once the car is over ten years old. Check the vehicle-specific date in Traficom’s Oma asiointi service or your inspection documents.

What is checked at the inspection?

The applicable checks cover items such as brakes, steering, tyres, lights, visibility, suspension, the underbody, bodywork and emissions. The exact scope depends on the vehicle type and Traficom’s criteria.

What should I do if the car does not pass?

Repair the faults recorded at inspection and take the car to a re-inspection within one month. If a driving ban was issued, do not use the car without the inspector’s permission or a transfer permit.

Book a pre-inspection check at a workshop

Compare car repair shops and ask for a clear description of the preparation work. Find local companies in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku.

If you are buying a car, a valid inspection does not replace an independent condition check. Read the used-car buying guide and the car service price guide as well.