Knowledge base · APK
The APK re-inspection: how the deadlines work and what to repair in the meantime
"How long do I have before the re-inspection?" is one of the first questions after a failed APK. The honest answer: there is no legal re-inspection deadline. But three dates do determine, in practice, how much time you really have. Know them, and you can plan the repairs without stress or unnecessary cost.
Date 1: your old expiry date — the real deadline
As long as the old APK is valid, you may in principle keep driving and you have time to arrange the repairs. Once the expiry date has passed, the car may no longer be driven on public roads — except to a booked inspection appointment — and the RDW's automatic register check can produce a fine by post. If you have the inspection done well before the expiry date, you have a comfortable buffer; fail on the last day and you are immediately stuck.
Date 2: the test centre's discount window
Many test centres offer the re-inspection at a reduced rate — sometimes free — if it takes place within a short period after the first inspection. That is the centre's own policy, not law, and the period differs per centre. Ask about it the moment your car fails. For planning it means: the sooner the repairs are done, the better your chance of staying inside that cheaper window.
Date 3: the repair lead time
What needs repairing determines how soon you can go back:
- Same day: lights, wipers, tyres, brake pads and discs — provided parts are in stock.
- One to a few days: suspension components, brake lines, exhaust parts, sensors after diagnosing the engine warning light.
- Needs more planning: welding on load-bearing parts and parts with longer delivery times. This is exactly where acting immediately after the failure pays off.
Send us a photo of the report via WhatsApp straight after the failure — you will hear the same day which category your repair falls into and what it costs. How to read that report is covered here.
The smart order
- Day of the failure: ask the centre about its re-inspection discount window and send us the report.
- Within 1–2 days: quote approved, parts ordered, repairs scheduled.
- After the repairs: re-inspection — preferably within the centre's discount window and well before your old expiry date.
The complete overview of all steps after a failure is in the step-by-step plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does the re-inspection have to be at the same centre?
No, any RDW-approved test centre will do. But the reduced re-inspection rate usually only applies at the centre that did the first inspection — so going back is normally the cheapest option.
What if my expiry date passes while the car is with you?
No disaster for the repairs themselves — the car is parked at our workshop anyway. For the trip to the test centre, the booked-appointment rule then applies. We align the repair schedule with the inspection appointment so there is no gap.
Do you carry out the re-inspection?
No — we repair the rejection points and prepare the car; the re-inspection happens at an RDW-approved test centre.
These points are handled during APK preparation in Tilburg — also after a failure.