SGI Vehicle Inspections

SGI Vehicle Inspections

Stettner Auto & Performance is your local trusted SGI Certified Inspection Station in Regina, SK, focusing on mechanical and light vehicle inspections. Before a vehicle can be registered in Saskatchewan and depending on its condition, it first needs to pass a Mechanical safety inspection - which determines if the vehicle is mechanically safe to drive.

Mechanical safety inspections

A mechanical safety inspection determines if your vehicle is mechanically safe to drive. An outline of vehicles that need this inspection can be found under structurally and mechanically unfit vehicles.

In addition to the vehicle's mechanical safety, certain structural parts are inspected¹ to ensure corrosion or damage is repaired to the original equipment manufacturer specifications or acceptable industry standards. The Light Vehicle Safety Inspection Manual has further details on the inspection criteria.

However, there are some areas that aren’t checked during a mechanical safety inspection, including the:

• engine
• transmission
• air conditioning and other non-safety related components

4-wheel alignment check

A 4-wheel alignment check detects steering and structural defects and damage. The check is included in the charge and time given for the vehicle inspection. However, if a wheel alignment, adjustment or repairs are needed, there’s an extra charge.

You can choose to have the alignment done at another repair shop. If you do, when you go back for your reinspection, they’ll have to do an alignment check, and they can charge for the 2nd alignment check.

Inspection process

Steps to follow:

1. Schedule a mechanical safety inspection with a certified vehicle inspection station for the inspection.
2. Take your vehicle for inspection (an inspection station isn’t allowed to start fixing problems they find, without your permission).
3. If you had a Body Integrity Inspection done on your vehicle, show the inspection station the Body Integrity Inspection Certificate and the passed Record of Inspection.
4. When your vehicle passes the inspection, you get a Mechanical Safety Inspection Certificate and a passed Record of Inspection.
5. Take a copy of the validated Mechanical Safety Inspection Certificate (and Body Integrity Inspection Certificate, if applicable) to any motor license issuer to use as a reference to register your vehicle.
6. Keep a copy of your inspection certificates for your records.

An inspection station will inspect and identify any item that didn't pass during the inspection. If you ask about the items, the inspection station must explain every failed item, referencing it to the inspection manual standard. After a failed inspection, you will be provided a Failed Record of Inspection listing all the defects to keep for your own records.

Reinspection

If your vehicle fails the first inspection and you choose to get it fixed at another repair shop, you have 30 days to go back and have your vehicle reinspected. There’s no charge for the 1^st reinspection if major parts don’t need to be removed to inspect the fixes or it doesn’t need an alignment check. Any extra reinspection’s of the repaired areas may come with a charge.

If you don't return for your reinspection within 30 days, your vehicle must have another full inspection, and you’ll be responsible for the cost. Keep in mind that the total loss vehicles rule still applies (it must be inspected within 60 days or before the expiry of the current registration, whichever occurs first) and missing your reinspection, doesn’t give you extra time on top of your 60 days.

If you have any questions about the SGI Inspections, you can call or contact us online for more information.