Before selling or transferring the title of a used vehicle in Maryland, a safety inspection must be performed. The inspection is the responsibility of the seller in most cases and is mandatory. Once the inspection certificate has been obtained, the buyer files the certificate with the MVA to obtain registration. In the case of a used car purchase through a dealer, the dealership handles all inspection duties and paperwork.

Who performs the inspection and how does it work?

In Maryland, vehicle inspections are performed by service station, repair facilities and inspection specialists. The Maryland State Police coordinate licensing of these facilities and there are currently about 1,600 of them in operation throughout the state.

A certified mechanic will take 1-2 hours to perform a thorough inspection. They inspect all vehicle systems relating to driver and vehicle safety. When finished, the mechanic will write up a detailed inspection report outlining whether Maryland’s inspection standards have been met.

What is inspected?

Only items relating directly to safety are inspected. These include items like the brake system, turn signals, mirrors, lights, safety belts, speedometer, windshield and more. The Maryland MVA web site has a full list of the items to be inspected. Keep in mind that anything that could possibly affect safety, even a slight crack in the windshield, will result in failure.

What is not inspected?

A Maryland vehicle safety inspection is just that. It asks, “Is this vehicle safe to drive.” It does not attest to the quality of the vehicle. For example, the Maryland inspection will test the motor mounts to ensure the engine is not about to fall out. It will not tell you if the engine might fail soon. Car buyers in need of information on whether they are making a wise purchase should consult with their own mechanic and schedule an independent appraisal just for this purpose.

What happens after the inspection?

If the vehicle passes inspection, the buyer and seller are allowed to move on to the vehicle titling process. If not, the seller will need to remediate any issues if they wish to sell the vehicle in Maryland. While it is true that vehicles can be sold privately without inspection, no car can be titled without a valid inspection certificate, so such a sale would be fruitless in most cases. Sellers can avoid a total reinspection by having just the failing items repaired within 30 days and if they have driven less than 1,000 miles. This saves considerable time, effort and money.

To schedule a Maryland State Car Inspection - contact us!