Vehicle Inspections
Government-certified CVSE inspection facility in Kelowna. Pre-purchase, out-of-province, and comprehensive safety inspections with 100+ point checks, written reports with photos, and a straight answer on whether the vehicle is worth buying.
Book This ServiceOkapro is a government-certified inspection facility with licensed CVSE inspectors. We hold Class 1 (vehicles up to 5,500 kg), Class 2 (vehicles over 5,500 kg), Class 3 (trailers and semi-trailers), and Class 4 (buses) inspection licences, plus Endorsement 2 for pressure fuel systems (propane and CNG) and Endorsement 3 for new-to-BC vehicles. That full certification means we handle everything from a compact car pre-purchase check to a commercial truck fleet inspection under one roof.
Last spring a customer brought in a 2017 RAV4 she found on Facebook Marketplace. The seller wanted $22,500. Paint looked good, interior was clean, test drive felt fine. Our inspection told a different story: both front lower control arm bushings were cracked through, the rear differential had a slow leak that had already dropped the fluid below safe level, and the driver-side frame rail showed grinder marks where someone had smoothed out corrosion to hide it. Repair estimate came to $4,800. She walked away and found a better vehicle the following week. That $189 inspection saved her thousands.
We offer four distinct inspection tiers. A courtesy inspection is a lighter check without wheel removal, good for a quick baseline on a vehicle you already own. A pre-purchase inspection is what most buyers need: a thorough evaluation before committing money. Our comprehensive inspection covers 100+ items: engine compression and leak-down if warranted, cooling system pressure test, transmission fluid condition and shift quality, brake measurements at all four corners, suspension loaded and unloaded, electrical system including battery conductance and alternator output, underbody for rust and collision evidence, and tire wear patterns that reveal alignment or suspension problems nobody mentioned in the listing. Every finding goes into a written report with photos. We categorize items as safety-critical, near-term service, or monitor. You get the report digitally so you can forward it to the seller, your bank, or your insurance company.
Provincial and out-of-province inspections follow CVSE protocol. ICBC requires any vehicle entering BC from another province to pass a CVSE-standard inspection before it can be registered. We see a lot of Alberta and Ontario vehicles, and prairie salt does real damage underneath. Last fall a 2016 F-150 from Saskatchewan looked immaculate topside but had brake lines corroded to the point where one rear line was weeping fluid. That truck was not safe to register until the lines were replaced. We give you the pass documentation if it clears, or a specific list of what needs fixing if it does not.
Pre-trip inspections are a different kind of value. Kelowna to Vancouver through the Connector, or east through the Rockies to Calgary, puts sustained load on cooling systems, tires, and brakes that city driving never replicates. A 30-minute check of fluid levels, belt and hose condition, tire tread depth, brake pad thickness, and battery health costs less than a single tow truck call on the Coquihalla. We catch about one serious issue per every six pre-trip inspections we run. The other five leave knowing the vehicle is solid.
Annual safety checks are optional in BC for most passenger vehicles, but drivers with vehicles past 150,000 km book them regularly. An inspection at that mileage usually reveals two or three items that are wearing but not yet failed. Catching a ball joint with 2mm of play now means a $280 repair. Ignoring it until failure means a tow, possible tire and fender damage, and a bill closer to $1,200. The math is straightforward.
We inspect European, Asian, and North American vehicles. BMW, Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota, Ford, GM. The inspection process adjusts for each platform because wear points differ. European vehicles need attention to electronics and cooling systems. Japanese trucks and SUVs need careful underbody and frame inspection, especially if they have been on gravel roads. Domestic trucks need transfer case and differential checks if they are 4x4. We know what to look for on each one because we have been doing this since 1987.
Book an inspection at (250) 861-4354. Bring the vehicle in, or if it is a pre-purchase and the seller will not let it leave their lot, ask us about our mobile assessment option. Either way, you get a written answer before you spend a dollar.
What's Included
- Government-certified facility with licensed CVSE inspectors
- Class 1–4 inspection licences plus pressure fuel and new-to-BC endorsements
- Four tiers: courtesy, pre-purchase, comprehensive (100+ items), provincial/OOP
- Out-of-province ICBC inspections to CVSE standards
- Digital report with photos emailed to you
- Repair cost estimates included with every finding
- Paint thickness measurement to detect collision repair
- European, Asian, and North American vehicles
- Pre-trip highway readiness checks
- Financing and insurance documentation
Signs You Need Inspections Service
- Shopping for a used vehicle and want to know what you are actually buying
- Moving to BC and need an out-of-province inspection for ICBC registration
- Vehicle past 150,000 km and you want a baseline condition report
- New noise, vibration, or handling change you cannot identify
- Driving to the Rockies, the Coast, or across the border and want confidence in the vehicle
Our Process
VIN Check and History Review
We record the VIN, mileage, and cross-reference any Carfax or AutoCheck history you bring. For out-of-province vehicles, we confirm the documentation matches the VIN and flag any discrepancies that ICBC will require you to resolve before registration.
Hoist and 100+ Point Inspection
The vehicle goes on the hoist for a comprehensive check covering 100+ items: engine and cooling system, transmission and drivetrain, brakes measured at all four corners, suspension and steering joints loaded and tested, body and frame condition, all fluids, exhaust, tires, electrical, and lights. The process takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the vehicle and inspection tier.
Photo Documentation and Report
Every finding gets categorized: safety items that need immediate attention, service items for the near term, and things to monitor. We photograph problem areas and attach repair cost estimates. The report is digital, so you can forward it to a seller, a bank, or keep it for your records.
Walk-Through and Recommendation
We sit down with you and go through the report line by line. For pre-purchase inspections, we tell you whether the vehicle is worth the asking price given the cost of outstanding repairs. For out-of-province, we hand you the CVSE paperwork or explain exactly what needs fixing before ICBC will register the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Between $120 and $175 depending on the vehicle. Out-of-province inspections fall in the same range. Compared to the cost of buying a vehicle with hidden damage, the inspection fee is negligible. We have turned up problems worth $3,000 to $8,000 in repair costs on vehicles that looked fine from the outside.
Our comprehensive inspection covers 100+ items to CVSE standards. Engine compression, leaks, and timing components. Transmission fluid condition and shift quality. Brake pad and rotor thickness at all four wheels. Every suspension and steering joint. Battery and charging system. Body panels for paint thickness variation indicating collision repair. Underbody for rust, fluid leaks, and structural damage. Tires for tread depth and wear pattern. Exhaust integrity. All stored fault codes. Courtesy inspections cover fewer items without wheel removal, while provincial and out-of-province inspections follow the full CVSE checklist.
Typically 60 to 90 minutes. Book an appointment and we can usually get you in and out the same morning. If the vehicle passes, you leave with the paperwork ICBC needs. If it fails, we give you a repair list with prices and can often do the work within a day or two.
This is one of the most common things we do. Either the seller drives it to our shop, or you arrange to bring it yourself. Most sellers in the Okanagan cooperate with inspection requests. If a seller refuses to let you get an independent inspection, that tells you something important about the vehicle.
No, but try to be available toward the end. The walk-through conversation is where you get the full picture. You can ask questions, we can show you things on the hoist, and you leave with a clear understanding of the vehicle's condition before making any commitment.
Book your Inspections service in Kelowna
Call or book online. We'll tell you exactly what the vehicle needs — and what it doesn't. No surprises on the bill.