Periodic vehicle inspection

The periodic vehicle inspection exists to ensure cars on the road meet a minimum safety standard. It can feel like a chore — especially when you know your car is fine — but it's the only state filter that keeps dangerous vehicles off the road. Failing has two consequences: time lost (rebooking, repeat trip) and money (re-inspection fee plus possibly rushed repair with no time to shop quotes).

At Multipark we offer a pre-MOT preparation service. In 30-45 minutes we verify the points most commonly failed in Portugal: misaligned or yellowed headlights, non-working indicators or brake lights, pads below minimum, steering play, tyres below 1.6 mm, out-of-spec emissions (older petrols) or DPF issues (diesels).

We start with a full visual exterior and interior inspection. Lights (all, including plate and interior), indicators, brake lights, fog lights if present. Wipers (streaking fails the test). Tyres (tread, sidewall condition, rim play). Steering and suspension (play, leaking shocks, anti-roll bars).

We run electronic diagnosis. OBD with any pending code means immediate fail on many Portuguese MOTs — resetting the code without fixing doesn't work, since the test checks the system's 'ready status' is complete (enough driving cycles since last reset).

We check vehicle-type-specific points. On older diesels, smoke emissions are the most common failure — we check DPF state and combustion quality. On petrols, O2 sensors and catalysts are frequent. On hybrids and EVs, HV electronics and 12V aux battery state.

Headlights — aim is simple and decisive. A light 2 mm above level fails the car (dazzles oncoming). We align on the spot with calibrated optical gear.

On request we handle the trip to the inspection centre. The client doesn't lose a morning there — drops the car with us, we drive it, wait, do the inspection and return it with the certificate validated. On a fail, we repair immediately and bring it back for re-inspection the same week (avoiding the re-inspection fee charged after 30 days).

For Lisbon or Porto clients, this integrated pre-inspection + handover + eventual repair is one of the most requested services, especially for commercial users who can't afford to lose half a day.

Before booking, confirm: registration up to date, insurance active, last inspection certificate in the car, tyres above minimum tread (1.6 mm), all lights working, no warning lights on, triangle + high-vis vest in the car.

If unsure, book our pre-inspection. In 45 minutes you know whether the car passes — and have time to fix what's needed before the actual inspection, instead of risking a wasted trip.