APK (MOT) checklist: what does the inspector check?

At the APK, an approved inspector checks whether your car is safe, does not pollute too much and matches its registration with the RDW, the Netherlands Vehicle Authority. In this checklist you can read, part by part, what the inspector looks at and what you can check yourself beforehand.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say

The short answer

At the APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the compulsory periodic vehicle inspection in the Netherlands), the inspector checks three things: road safety, the environment and registration. Road safety covers the brakes, suspension, shock absorbers, tyres, steering, lights and bodywork. For the environment the inspector measures the emissions and looks at the catalytic converter and particulate filter, and for registration at the mileage, vehicle identification number and fuel type. Since 20 May 2018, excessive fluid leaks and the warning lights for systems such as the airbags, ABS and tyre pressure have also been part of the inspection.

Which parts does the inspector check at the APK?

The inspector assesses your car in three areas: road safety, the environment and registration. That is how the RDW describes it. The inspector (keurmeester in Dutch) works at an RDW-approved APK station and follows a fixed list of inspection points. That list is in the APK handbook (APK-handboek) of the RDW, the government agency that runs and supervises the APK.

For each point, the inspector decides whether it is in order. If it is not, the inspector notes a point on the APK report, the inspection report you receive afterwards. The table below gives an overview. The following sections explain how the inspector checks each part.

Part What the inspector looks at Area
Tyres and wheels Tread depth, damage, tyre pressure Road safety
Lights Whether all lights work, alignment of the dipped beam Road safety
Brakes Braking performance, difference between left and right, pipes and hoses Road safety
Steering and suspension Play, ball joints, rubber boots, springs, shock absorbers Road safety
Windows and wipers Visibility, whether the wipers and washers work Road safety
Bodywork and chassis Rust and damage on load-bearing parts Road safety
Warning lights Airbag, seat belt pretensioners, ABS, ESP, tyre pressure, power steering Road safety
Emissions and exhaust Exhaust gases, particulate filter, catalytic converter, gas-tight exhaust Environment
Fluid leaks Excessive leaks of oil or other fluids (not water) Environment and safety
Registration Mileage, vehicle identification number, fuel type Registration

Source: RDW and ANWB

What does the inspector look for on the tyres?

On the tyres, the inspector looks at tread depth, damage and tyre pressure. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 millimetres, according to the ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation. If a tyre has less tread, the inspector notes it as a point on the report.

  • Tread depth: the inspector measures in the main grooves with a tread depth gauge. If a tyre has from 1.6 up to and including 2.5 mm of tread, the APK handbook of the RDW says you get an advisory point: the tyre is still allowed, but nearly worn out.
  • Damage: the inspector looks for cracks, bulges and cuts in the tread and in the sidewall of the tyre.
  • Tyre pressure: the inspector checks whether the pressure matches the prescribed value and whether the tyres on one axle are inflated equally.
  • Wheels: the inspector checks whether the wheels are properly secured and whether the rims are damaged.

According to the RDW figures for 2025, tyres are the part where inspectors note something most often. The requirements are explained in our article on tread depth and the APK. Is a tyre close to the limit? See our page about tyre replacement in Rotterdam.

How does the inspector check the lights?

The inspector switches on all the lights one by one and checks that they work, have the right colour and are firmly fixed. Then the inspector uses a headlight alignment tester to check that the dipped beam is aimed correctly. That device shows the beam pattern and the cut-off line: the sharp line where the light stops.

  • Dipped beam and main beam, left and right
  • Side lights and rear lights
  • Brake lights, including the third brake light if the car has one
  • Indicators and hazard lights, with the right colour
  • Number plate light
  • Rear fog light and reversing light
  • Reflectors

If the dipped beam is aimed too high, you dazzle oncoming traffic. If it is aimed too low, you see too little yourself. We replace bulbs and adjust headlights in our workshop. Read more about lights and headlight alignment at the APK.

What does the inspector check on the brakes, steering and suspension?

The inspector measures how well the brakes work and whether the car brakes equally hard on the left and the right. Then the inspector looks under the car at the parts you cannot see as a driver. At our garage the car goes on one of our five heavy-duty lifts for this, which include lifts for motorhomes and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg.

  • Brakes: braking performance per axle, the difference between left and right, the handbrake, and the condition of the brake pipes, brake hoses, brake discs and drums. A brake pipe affected by rust or a damaged brake hose is noted.
  • Steering: play in the steering and in the steering ball joints, and whether the rubber boot of the steering rack is intact.
  • Suspension: play in the suspension ball joints and wheel bearings, broken springs and the rubber boots of the drive shafts and ball joints.
  • Shock absorbers: whether they leak and whether they are securely mounted.

To find play, the inspector moves the wheels and steering parts by hand or with a tool while the car is raised. A torn rubber boot looks like a small thing. Without the boot, dirt and water get into the ball joint or the CV joint, and it wears quickly.

How does the inspector measure the emissions?

How the emissions are measured depends on the fuel and the year of manufacture. According to the RDW, the rules are as follows:

Car Measurement at the APK
Petrol or LPG with a controlled catalytic converter, built in 1993 or later Four-gas emissions test: a check that the exhaust gases stay within the legal limits
Diesel with a particulate filter Particle counter test: since 1 January 2023 the inspector measures whether the particulate filter works
Diesel without a particulate filter, built in 1980 or later Measurement of the soot emissions

Source: RDW, About the periodic technical inspection

The exhaust itself is also part of the inspection. It must be gas-tight and securely fixed. Since 20 May 2018 the inspector also looks for excessive leaks of fluids other than water (ANWB). Think of engine oil, gearbox oil or power steering fluid. A damp patch is something different from a leak that drips.

Does your diesel have a factory-fitted DPF (diesel particulate filter)? Then we carry out the APK with a particle counter test for € 60. For a petrol car, a petrol hybrid or an electric car, the APK costs € 50 at our garage.

Are the warning lights and electronics checked?

Yes. Since 20 May 2018 the inspector also checks the car’s monitoring systems. According to the ANWB, this covers the warnings for the airbags, the seat belt pretensioners, the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the electronic power steering, the braking system and the stability and anti-lock braking systems (ESP and ABS).

If the airbag warning light stays on, the outcome depends on the age of the car. For a car with a registration date from 2018, it leads to a fail. For a car with a registration date up to and including 2017, it is a repair advisory point (ANWB).

A hybrid or electric car gets the same checks, plus a check of the parts of the electric drivetrain. For cars from 2021 or later, the inspector also reads out the fuel or electricity consumption. According to the ANWB you may refuse this, and fully electric cars are exempt. Read more in our guide to the APK for electric and hybrid cars.

What does the inspector check on the bodywork, windows and registration?

The inspector checks whether the bodywork and chassis are sound and safe, whether you have a clear view and whether the car matches its details at the RDW.

  • Bodywork and chassis: rust and damage on load-bearing parts, sharp protruding parts, and doors and a bonnet that close properly.
  • Windows and wipers: the wipers must give enough visibility and the washers must work. Damage to the windscreen in the driver’s field of view can also be a point.
  • Mirrors and seat belts: present, securely fixed and working.
  • Registration: the inspector records the mileage, checks the vehicle identification number (chassis number) and checks that the fuel type matches the registration.

The mileage is sent to the RDW. That way a future buyer can see whether the odometer reading goes up logically.

What is on the APK report after the inspection?

After the inspection you receive the APK report (APK-rapport), the inspection report with the result and any points. According to the RDW you get one after every inspection, also when the car fails. The RDW names three kinds of points:

  • Rejection point (afkeurpunt): a defect that means the car does not meet the APK requirements. The car fails on it.
  • Repair point (reparatiepunt): a repair that was needed for the APK. The report lists it under the defects that have been repaired.
  • Advisory point (adviespunt): not a rejection point, but a point that is expected to stop meeting the requirements soon, probably within a year. It is advice for the owner.

Our article on how to read the APK report explains the difference in more detail. The RDW figures for 2025 show what inspectors note most often in practice. At 50.6 out of every 100 APK inspections of passenger cars, at least one point was on the report. That can be a rejection point, a repair point or an advisory point.

Point on the inspection report Number of times in 2025 Per 100 inspections
Tyre pressure not at the correct value 503,732 7.1
Tread depth from 1.6 up to and including 2.5 mm (nearly worn) 473,038 6.7
Tyre with too little tread 449,580 6.3
Dipped beam incorrectly aligned 376,285 5.3
Excessive leak of oil or another fluid 355,658 5.0

Source: RDW Open Data, inspections 2025, analysis by Autobedrijf Willemsbrug. Passenger cars, 7,089,628 inspections (a retest counts as a separate inspection).

The full top 10 and an explanation of each point are in the most common APK findings in 2025. At our garage, registering the result with the RDW is included. If your car fails with us and we do the repair, the retest is included too. On our APK page you can read how it works at our garage.

Frequently asked questions

Is the air conditioning checked at the APK?

No. The air conditioning is not on the list of APK inspection points. If it works poorly, that does not affect the result. For the air conditioning you can come to us separately for an air conditioning service.

Can I drive a car that failed the APK if the APK has expired?

No. If the APK has expired, you may not drive the car. If the old APK is still valid, the RDW says the car remains APK-compliant until the expiry date, and it is up to you to decide whether driving it is wise. The police can still find that the car does not meet the technical requirements, and your insurer can refuse to pay after an accident. After the expiry date, the RDW allows the APK to lapse for up to two months, but only if the car is not driven during that time.

Is the mileage checked at the APK?

Yes. The inspector reads the mileage and passes it on to the RDW. That is part of the registration check, together with the vehicle identification number and the fuel type.

What is an RDW spot check after the APK?

The RDW carries out random spot checks to see whether an inspection was done correctly. If your car is selected, it must stay available until the RDW inspector arrives, which according to the RDW is within 90 minutes. If you take the car away earlier, you do not get an inspection report and any pass is withdrawn, according to the Dutch government.

Can I prepare my car for the APK myself?

Yes. You can check the tyre pressure, the tread depth, all the lights, the wipers and the screenwash yourself. Inspectors often note these points. Our guide to preparing your car for the APK explains how to do it.

How much does an APK cost at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug?

An APK costs € 50 at our garage for petrol, petrol hybrid and electric cars. For a diesel with a factory-fitted DPF it is € 60, including the particle counter test. For an LPG car or another diesel, we tell you the price in advance. With a major service the APK is free, except for Tesla and Polestar.

Are hybrid and electric cars inspected differently?

No. They get the same checks as other cars. According to the ANWB, the parts of the electric drivetrain are added. A fully electric car has no exhaust, so the emissions test does not apply.

APK in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde?

Book the APK with us Monday to Friday, online or by calling +31 10 479 00 00. If a repair is needed, you hear the cost in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

Nederlands? Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands.