A cracked rubber boot on the drive joint and grease leaks from a rattling drive joint

Inspection coming up in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi? How to do a preliminary inspection and avoid the most common rejections

When you’re due for an MOT in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi, a quick pre-inspection often saves both time and money – and, above all, reduces unnecessary stress. Many vehicles fail the test due to surprisingly mundane issues, such as a burnt-out bulb, worn tyres or windscreen wipers with an insufficient wiping range. In this guide, I’ll go through…

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When inspection coming up in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi, a little pre-checking often saves both time and money - and above all reduces unnecessary stress. Many rejections come from surprisingly mundane things, such as a burnt-out bulb, worn tyres or a windscreen wiper area that is too small. In this guide, I'll go through a practical checklist you can do in your yard before your appointment.

If you have any doubts, act fast: STS Evitskog (Kylmäläntie 350, 02540 Kirkkonummi, tel. +358458960556) is a multi-brand repair shop with over 20 years of experience in Siuntio, Espoo, Veikkola and Kirkkonummi. By locating the fault in advance, the repair can often be carried out smoothly before the inspection date.

Inspection coming up in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi - start by checking your lights and visibility

Lights and visibility are the quickest part of the preliminary inspection, but also one of the most common reasons for repair or rejection. Do the check at dusk or in the garage, and if necessary ask another person to help: it is surprisingly easy to miss a brake light or a number plate light, for example, on your own.

Remember also that visibility is not just about lights. The condition of the windscreen, wiper blades and washer fluid directly affect safety, and the inspection may point out obvious damage or inadequate wiper coverage.

A quick light test in the yard Take this tour before you set off - you'll catch the most common surprises.

Low beam and high beam Check both sides and the evenness of the light pattern (a clear difference may indicate a bulb or congestion problem).

Brake lights Make sure that the central auxiliary brake light also works.

Flashing lights and emergency lights Check the front, rear and side lights; rapid flashing may indicate a faulty bulb.

Licence plate light Surprisingly often burnt out - and easy to fix in advance.

If you notice an uneven light pattern, moisture in the envelope or repeatedly burning bulbs, there may also be a charging or grounding fault. In this case, it makes sense to read more about the basic path and symptoms of car electricity: Everyday car electric faults: battery drain, charging problems and starting difficulties.

Checking the headlights of your car before the test in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi

Tyres, brakes and chassis: the most common rejections are often found here

Tyres, brakes and chassis components form a whole in which even the slightest weakness can show up in a roadworthiness test. In addition to the groove depth, it is worth looking at the tyres for even wear: a serrated edge, heavy wear on the inside edge or a clear “wear step” may indicate a ploughing or chassis defect. Also check tyre pressures and the condition of the rims - a bulging sidewall is always a cause for action.

For brakes, a home test is no substitute for a measurement, but it often reveals warning signs: jerking when braking, severe vibration (disc throw), long pedal feel or brake slack. If an inspection is imminent, don't wait to see “if it still holds up” - it's worth checking the condition of your brakes beforehand to avoid a re-ride.

Chassis and brake quick-check These will help you catch risks before they turn into rejections.

Tyre wear Uneven wear can indicate a loose bushing, shock absorbers or a ploughing error.

Braking during a test drive Try it calmly at different speeds: vibration, noise or jostling are warning signs.

The feel of the steering A feeling of lightness, “wobbling” or bumps on bumps often indicate chassis parts.

Liquid spills Take a look under the car: fresh drips could be related to the brakes, steering or transmission.

If you hear a rattling noise or feel a vibration, it's worth reading up on how to locate the noise and what it might mean: Chassis rattles and vibrations: what causes the noise. And if in doubt about the condition of your brakes, get a more comprehensive pre-ride checklist: Get your brakes in order before the test.

The most common rejections are not mysterious: they are often small, everyday faults that go unnoticed and could easily be fixed before the inspection date.

Emissions and engine lights: how to avoid surprises when measuring

Emission measurement can be particularly stressful in older cars or when engine behaviour has changed. The good news is that many things that affect emissions can be seen in advance: uneven idling, fuel smell, higher than normal fuel consumption or the engine's fault light (Check Engine) are signs not to be ignored.

You can do some “soft” things beforehand: make sure the engine is properly warmed up before the test (if possible), check the oil and coolant levels, and monitor whether the fault light comes on continuously or only intermittently. If it does, a simple reset will usually not solve the problem - and an OBD check at the MOT may reveal the problem. For general information on emissions and how to measure them, visit the Traficom website: Traficom: Vehicle inspection.

When the inspection is approaching: symptoms of emissions and sensible first action
Observation What it can mean What you do before the inspection
Check Engine lights up The engine management system has detected an anomaly Book a diagnostic test - it's best to check the cause before measuring
Uneven idling Air leak, ignition problem, dirty air mass meter, etc. Don't “drive past” a fault - a check can save you from a re-inspection
A distinct fuel smell Leakage or mixture problem Check quickly for safety reasons and emissions
High consumption Engine adjustment is not correct Monitoring + possible diagnostics, especially if combined with a fault light

If the instrument panel lights up or the car's behaviour changes, STS Evitskog can perform the necessary diagnostics and correctly pinpoint the fault - so the repair is focused on the cause, not guesswork. For more information on diagnostics, click here: Diagnostics.

A brief note

If the engine fault light has come on or the emissions are suspicious, don't leave it until the day of the inspection. A quick check will easily avoid a repeat visit.

Book a diagnostic before the test

Shock absorbers and chassis components: drive test and check for signs of leaks

Shock absorber deterioration often sneaks in unnoticed: the car may feel “OK” in everyday use, but the damping or loose chassis parts are highlighted at the inspection. It's worth doing a preliminary check by combining a visual inspection with a short test drive on a familiar route. Pay attention to whether the car bounces on bumps, “swims” in highway ruts or requires constant steering correction.

Visually, you can look between the tyre and the fender and under the car: for obvious oily casts on the shock absorber, broken springs or a rubber bumper hanging badly in place. On the chassis, small rubber bushings and joints are also critical: loose parts often cause rattles and can affect manoeuvrability. If you notice obvious noises, don't drive for long “just in case” - looseness can get worse and increase wear on other parts too.

Shock absorber check before the inspection in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi

Especially with classic cars, it's worth being proactive about the condition of the chassis: some may be old, even if they haven't clocked up many kilometres. If your hobby car is coming in for an inspection, take a look at the seasonal list: Classic car maintenance and storage.

Windscreen, wipers and other “small” things: the last lap before you drive into the hall

Many people go into a test with the idea that the most important thing is the brakes and the chassis - and they are. Yet a rejection or repair notice can come from a surprisingly small detail: a cracked windscreen in the driver's field of vision, badly wiping feathers, a malfunctioning washer or a clearly deficient fluid level. These are also things that are easy to check yourself without special tools.

Do a final “go to the hall” check: make sure the seat belts are locked and retracted, the horn works, the warning triangle and first aid kit are where you expect them to be (in company cars and everyday driving, these are easily forgotten), and that there is no bulky items in the car to interfere with the inspection. If inspection coming up in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi, also remember the practicalities: take your time, get your registration/vehicle details and make sure you have the right pressures on your tyres the night before.

Last-minute checklist Surprisingly often, it's the little things that decide whether or not you pass the inspection.

Condition of windscreen A crack or wide crack in the field of vision should be repaired before the inspection.

Wipers and washers The condition of the feathers and the spray of the washing liquid directly affect visibility.

Fluids and leaks Check the oil, coolant and any fresh drips under the car.

Basic indoor functions Seat belts, audible warning lights and hazard lights - easy to check, but annoying to forget.

If suspicion remains at any point (lights, chassis noise, braking or emissions), the smartest solution is to book an inspection early. STS Evitskog can help at Kylmäläntie 350 in Kirkkonummi: by checking and fixing the right points before the inspection, you often save both the renewal fee and an extra drive. For more topical tips, see also the website's summary: Article from.

Finally, take your time to do a preliminary check, preferably a few days before the test, to give you time to react. And if inspection coming up in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi, keep in mind that even a small defect is usually cheaper to fix before it causes further damage.

Checking the windscreen wipers and washer fluid before the inspection in Siuntio or Kirkkonummi

Make sure you pass the inspection all at once

If you are unsure about any item on the checklist, make an appointment with STS Evitskog in Kirkkonummi. We will look over the car and correct any risk points before the inspection.