Pre-RTA Vehicle Assessment
A pre-test assessment is for drivers who want to know where they stand before they queue at the testing centre. It is a look, a short scan and a written report, with no obligation to let us repair anything. What you do with the report is up to you.
From AED 149RTA test fee paid separatelyWritten quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- About 1 hour
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
How we do pre-rta vehicle assessment
- 1
Walk-round
Lights, indicators, horn, wipers, mirrors, glass, number plates, seat belts and body condition are checked. We note anything that sticks out or is loose.
- 2
Under the car
On a lift, we look at brake lines and pads, steering and suspension joints, driveshaft boots, exhaust and leaks.
- 3
Tyres and wheels
Tread depth across the width, age, damage and pressures are recorded for each tyre, and wheel nuts are checked.
- 4
Scan
A quick diagnostic scan reads stored faults and checks that warning lights are behaving as they should.
- 5
Written report
You receive a plain list: likely to fail, borderline, and fine, with a quote only if you ask for one.
Signs it is time
- You do not know if the car will pass and want an honest view first
- You have just bought a used car and need to register it in your name
- An insurance renewal or a sale is coming and you want to know the condition of the car
- The car has been parked or unused for months and may have deteriorated
- You are bringing a car from another emirate and are not sure what the new one expects
- A fleet or company vehicle that must be ready for renewal on a fixed date
What usually causes it
Things you cannot see from the driver's seat
Play in a ball joint, a tired shock absorber, a leaking brake hose or a cracked exhaust mount do not show on the dash, but they matter at a test.
Faults that develop slowly
Brakes, tyres, and wipers deteriorate so gradually that drivers get used to them. An outside eye notices what you stopped noticing.
Vehicles standing idle
A car left in the sun for months can have flat-spotted tyres, a dead battery, seized brakes and perished rubber.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Because testing is tied to registration renewal, a deadline is real. People often discover a problem on the day of the test, when a retest means another visit and more time off work. An assessment a few weeks earlier turns that surprise into a plan. If you are choosing between several cars, the same assessment pattern helps, though our pre-purchase inspection goes much deeper for that purpose. Book early in the week, as workshops and testing centres are quietest then.
Questions about pre-rta vehicle assessment
Is the assessment the same as the official test?
No. We cannot reproduce the testing centre's equipment or decisions. Our check covers the same kinds of items and tells you what we would expect to be a problem.
Do I have to repair with you?
No. You get the report either way, and you may repair elsewhere if you prefer.
What does it cost?
We give a written quote before the assessment starts, and there is no charge for work you did not approve.
Should I wash the car first?
A clean underside helps us see leaks, but it is not essential. Please empty the boot so we can reach the spare wheel and jack.
How long is the report valid?
It reflects the day of the check. If you wait several weeks, or something changes on the road, such as a stone chip in the windscreen, tell us and we will recheck the item.
Can I use the report to negotiate on a used car?
Yes. A written list of faults is useful evidence when you discuss price with a seller, although for that purpose we recommend a full pre-purchase inspection.
Last updated
Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.