A Dutch inspection report is full of trade jargon. If Dutch is not your first language, the report becomes more intimidating than it needs to be. So we listed the terms you will actually encounter on a report — briefly explained, with the English translation next to each. Feel free to share this page with a colleague or a buyer.
Result and procedure
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| goedgekeurd | approved / passed | The car meets the requirements; a new expiry date is registered. |
| afgekeurd | rejected / failed | One or more points fail; repairs needed before the re-test. |
| afkeurpunt | rejection point | A defect that must be repaired. |
| reparatieadviespunt | repair advisory | Still within limits, but close to the edge — advised to fix. |
| herkeuring | re-inspection | New inspection after the rejection points are repaired. |
| steekproef | RDW spot check | The RDW audits the inspector; the car stays available for up to 90 minutes. |
| vervaldatum | expiry date | Date on which the current APK expires. |
| tellerstand | odometer reading | Mileage; registered with the RDW. |
| keurmeester | inspector | The person performing the inspection. |
| keuringsstation (RDW-erkend) | test centre (RDW-approved) | The APK may only be carried out here. |
| voldoet niet aan de eisen | does not meet the requirements | Standard wording for every rejection point. |
| gebrek | defect | General term for an identified fault. |
Brakes
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| remvertraging | braking performance | Measured braking force; below the minimum = rejection. |
| remschijf | brake disc | Rejected when severely corroded or too thin. |
| remblokken | brake pads | Wear parts; too thin is a rejection or advisory point. |
| remleiding | brake line (rigid) | Corrosion or leakage = immediate rejection point. |
| remslang | brake hose (flexible) | Cracks or bulges = rejection point. |
| handrem / parkeerrem | handbrake / parking brake | Must hold the car on a slope. |
Suspension and steering
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| speling | play | Movement in a joint that should not be there. |
| fusee / fuseekogel | steering knuckle / ball joint | Pivot of the wheel; excessive play = rejection. |
| draagarm | control arm / wishbone | Connects wheel to body; worn bushes cause play. |
| spoorstang / spoorstangkogel | track rod / track rod end | Steering linkage; play affects steering precision. |
| stuurkogel | steering ball joint | Ball joint in the steering linkage. |
| veerpoot | suspension strut (MacPherson) | Spring and damper as one unit. |
| schokdemper | shock absorber | Leaking or uneven performance = rejection point. |
| wiellager | wheel bearing | Play or humming; play is a rejection point. |
| stabilisatorstang | anti-roll bar link | Well-known source of clicking noises and play. |
Body and corrosion
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| corrosie | corrosion / rust | Only a rejection point on load-bearing parts. |
| dragende delen | load-bearing parts | Parts that determine the structural strength of the car. |
| bodemplaat | floor pan | Rusted through = welding before the re-test. |
| langsligger | chassis rail / longitudinal member | Major structural part; corrosion here weighs heavily. |
Tyres and lights
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| profieldiepte | tread depth | Minimum 1.6 mm across the full width. |
| band | tyre | Damage, visible cords or the wrong size = rejection. |
| dimlicht | dipped beam / low beam | Must work and be aimed correctly. |
| grootlicht | main beam / high beam | Part of the lighting check. |
| richtingaanwijzer | indicator / turn signal | All four plus side repeaters must work. |
| kentekenverlichting | number plate light | Tiny bulb, very common rejection point. |
Emissions and engine
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| uitlaatgassen / emissie | exhaust gases / emissions | Measured values must be within the limits. |
| viergasmeting | four-gas emissions test (petrol) | Emissions test for petrol engines. |
| roetmeting | smoke opacity test (diesel) | Emissions test for diesel engines. |
| motorstoringslampje | engine warning light (check engine) | If it is on, that alone is a rejection point. |
Other
| Dutch term | English | What it means |
|---|
| gordel | seat belt | Must retract smoothly and lock properly. |
| claxon | horn | Must work. |
| ruitenwisser / sproeier | wiper / washer jet | Streaking or not working = rejection point. |
| ster / breuk in de voorruit | stone chip / crack in windscreen | In the driver's field of vision it is a rejection point. |
Report in hand and still unsure?
A translation helps, but it doesn't tell you what the repair involves. Send us a photo of the report via WhatsApp — we will explain in plain English what is going on and what it costs, before anything gets replaced. How to read the full report is covered in "How to read the inspection report"; the complete step-by-step plan after a failed APK is here. And for clarity: we do not carry out the inspection itself — we take care of the preparation and the repairs, after which an RDW-approved centre does the test.
Language a concern? See how our garage in Tilburg handles this in English, Dutch or Polish.