Fleets and dealers
How do you prepare fleet vehicles for the periodic inspection?
A few days before each inspection, scan every vehicle for codes, check that the readiness monitors are complete and that no warning lights are on, and check the battery, lights, tires and brakes. That way the vehicle goes to the inspection with everything that can be checked already sorted, and you avoid a wasted trip and a second visit.
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
What do I check in the diagnostics before the inspection?
The trouble codes of every control unit that responds, especially those that turn on warning lights: engine, airbag, ABS or stability control. A warning light that stays on is usually a defect in itself.
The readiness monitors: if codes were cleared, the battery replaced or a control unit reprogrammed recently, they may be incomplete and the emissions test may not be accepted. Leave time for the vehicle to complete its cycles in normal use.
What do I check outside the OBD port?
Lights, tires, brakes, wipers, leaks, exhaust and seat belts. Diagnostics see none of this, and they are frequent defects.
The vehicle paperwork and each vehicle's next inspection date, so you do not stack several on the same day.
When is the best time to scan each vehicle?
A few days ahead: if something turns up, there is time to repair it and for the monitors to complete afterward. Scanning the day before leaves little margin.
If you repair and clear codes, do not do it the day before: it is the surest way to arrive with incomplete monitors.
What does doing it remotely add?
Your shop can scan the whole fleet without moving the vehicles, decide which ones need a shop visit first and keep every scan in its history.
The ECO-LITE connects over Wi-Fi, so the scan happens when the vehicle is at the depot or near the driver's phone, with the driver's authorization.
The devices are in pre-production or presale: figures may be adjusted after validating the first units. Whether a given tool, program or make works depends on that tool, program or make.
Read more
On this site
- Will your car pass its MOT or inspection with the engine light on?
- Fleet remote diagnostics: decide before you take a vehicle off the road
- How to read and clear your car's fault codes
Step-by-step guides
- Live dashboard, service functions and battery test
- Reading a vehicle and sharing the report
- If you manage a fleet
Solutions
The devices to do it
With one ECO-LITE per vehicle, your shop checks codes, monitors and battery remotely before each inspection and tells you which vehicles need a shop visit first.
ECO-LITE · Presale price: €129 · US$129. No subscription.
Presale: no stock and no delivery date yet. Reserve your unit in the shop.
Frequently asked questions
Will a vehicle pass inspection with the check engine light on?
Usually not: a lit light or an emissions fault is typically a defect. It depends on the country and the station's procedure.
Does clearing the codes before the inspection help?
No: the monitors are left incomplete and the fault is still there. Fix it with time to spare.
How far ahead should I scan each vehicle?
A few days, so you can repair and let the monitors complete in normal use.