What does a vehicle inspector do?
Vehicle inspectors are professionals who are responsible for examining motor vehicles to ensure that they meet all the requirements established by the department of motor vehicles of a state. These inspectors are required to conduct safety and emissions inspections to make sure that all vehicles are following the emission standards and governmental regulations. They must use computerized diagnostic tools to identify the mechanical problems of vehicles. Vehicle inspectors must also check the vehicles for any damages, broken headlines, leaks, and faulty blinkers.
Vehicle inspector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vehicle inspector resumes:
- Specialize in HVAC system on subway cars.
- Work in several Honda plants in Ohio and warehousing.
- Represent SGS and build relationships with auto dealerships and customers.
- Inspect car components for compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
- Submit completed inspection billing statements to SGS finance department for payments.
- Perform inspections for Honda financial, ally financial, Chrysler financial.
- Check of compressor and check motor brushes that need to be replacing ECT.
- Perform inspections on lease return and arbitration vehicles to determine the vehicle's condition.
- Perform Texas state mandate emission testing on vehicles including testing for Nox and HC.
- Utilize company tracking VIN systems for vehicle location and destination on data sheets and scanners.
- Travele and appraise property damages to insure and claimant vehicles using the ADP estimating software.
- Document vehicles color, interior specifics, odometer reading, VIN, wheel size and previous repairs.
- Maintain cleanliness of inspection office and conduct snow removal.
- Develop technical reports of findings in the field with emphasis in the critical ones, to later be address by ACI.
- Reduce arbitration vehicles and auction liability by completing thorough inspections.
Vehicle inspector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Vehicle Inspectors are proficient in Inspect Vehicles, Mechanical Problems, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Vehicle Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Inspect Vehicles, 25%
Inspect vehicles safety and emissions systems, change tires, fix flats, assist in wheel alignments and brake changes.
- Mechanical Problems, 17%
Identified mechanical problems of cars manually or by means of computerized diagnostic tools.
- Cleanliness, 13%
Maintained cleanliness of inspection office and conducted snow removal.
- Condition Reports, 6%
Submitted completed condition reports to the facility designated manager by download from hand-held device or submission of written report.
- Inspection Reports, 6%
Inspected vehicles and completed detailed online inspection reports while providing guidance and quality control to the team of inspectors.
- Structural Damage, 6%
Certified in Previous Collision Repair and Frame/Structural Damage Detection.
"inspect vehicles," "mechanical problems," and "cleanliness" are among the most common skills that vehicle inspectors use at work. You can find even more vehicle inspector responsibilities below, including:
Math skills. Many vehicle inspector duties rely on math skills. "knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing.," so a vehicle inspector will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways vehicle inspector responsibilities rely on math skills: "machine operator- lap grinder, polish jack ndt inspector mathematical bearing match special process operator- black oxide"
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of vehicle inspectors is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday vehicle inspector duties, as "quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "inspect auction vehicle for paint damage, frame damage, and light mechanical damage. "
Physical strength. A big part of what vehicle inspectors do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to vehicle inspector responsibilities because "quality control inspectors may be required to lift or maneuver heavy production materials or finished products." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical vehicle inspector tasks: "performed extensive visual inspection of vehicles, check physical condition and safety equipment verify vin. "
Technical skills. Another crucial skill for a vehicle inspector to carry out their responsibilities is "technical skills." A big part of what vehicle inspectors relies on this skill, since "to ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals." How this skill relates to vehicle inspector duties can be seen in an example from a vehicle inspector resume snippet: "used a variety of technical manuals and manufacturers specifications to determine requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most vehicle inspectors are:
- ACV Auctions116 vehicle inspectors jobs
- Wrench7 vehicle inspectors jobs
- Dominion Enterprises4 vehicle inspectors jobs
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Compare different vehicle inspectors
Vehicle inspector vs. Emissions testing technician
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, vehicle inspector responsibilities require skills like "inspect vehicles," "mechanical problems," "cleanliness," and "condition reports." Meanwhile a typical emissions testing technician has skills in areas such as "emission test," "dynamometers," "customer service," and "vehicle emissions." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Emissions testing technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than vehicle inspectors. In fact, emissions testing technicians are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle inspector vs. Rail technician
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, vehicle inspector responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "inspect vehicles," "mechanical problems," "cleanliness," and "condition reports." Meanwhile, a rail technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "rail cars," "hvac," "test equipment," and "safety regulations." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Rail technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than vehicle inspectors. In fact, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle inspector vs. Chief mechanical officer
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a vehicle inspector is likely to be skilled in "inspect vehicles," "mechanical problems," "cleanliness," and "condition reports," while a typical chief mechanical officer is skilled in "safety procedures," "equipment repair," "preventive maintenance," and "emergency repairs."
Most chief mechanical officers achieve a higher degree level compared to vehicle inspectors. For example, they're 6.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle inspector vs. Air brake tester
Types of vehicle inspector
Updated January 8, 2025
