Safety Checks
WHAT IS IT
A safety check is a government-certified inspection that ensures your vehicle meets road safety standards.
Requirements for a safety check may vary from province to province, but in Ontario a safety check will ensure the following items on your car are in good working order:
- Accelerator linkage
- Bodywork
- Brakes
- Frame components
- Exhaust system
- Fuel system
- Horn
- Hoses and belts
- Lamps and reflectors
- Mirrors
- Neutral starting switch
- Seats and seatbelts
- Speedometer
- Steering
- Suspension
- Tires
- Wheel mounts and rims
- Windshield & windows
- Windshield wipers
WHEN DO YOU HAVE TO DO IT
A car safety inspection is required for vehicle registration in Canada or whenever ownership of the vehicle changes.
For new and used cars purchased through a dealership, the safety inspection will be done at the dealership. If you purchase a used car privately, then a certified mechanic, like the technicians at Master Mechanic, can do the safety check for you.
After your car passes inspection, you will be issued a safety standard certificate. This certificate must be registered with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) within 36 days of the inspection, or you will need to have the car re-certified.
Commercial vehicles, like trucks or trailers, and those used as a taxi or for ride-share services like Lyft or Uber, must be inspected regularly. Depending on the type of vehicle, the inspection schedule can range from daily (trucks, buses) to semi-annually or annually.
