What exactly is APK preparation? (And what the inspector does)

Two roles, two parties

The APK inspection is the legal test itself. It may only be carried out by a test centre holding an RDW approval. The inspector assesses the car against the official requirements and registers the result with the RDW — approved or rejected, with a report.

The APK preparation is everything that happens before that: going through the same inspection points, finding defects and repairing them before the inspector can write them down. That is classic garage work, and it is exactly what we do. To be clear: we do not carry out the inspection itself — after our preparation, the car goes to an RDW-approved test centre.

What we check during the preparation

We use the same list of points as the inspector:

• Brakes — braking performance, discs, pads, lines and hoses, handbrake.
• Suspension and steering — play in ball joints, control arms, track rods, wheel bearings, shock absorbers.
• Lights — operation and aim, from dipped beam to the number plate light.
• Tyres — tread depth, damage, correct size per axle.
• Rust — load-bearing parts: floor pan, chassis rails, mounting points.
• Exhaust and emissions — mounting, leaks and the expected test values.
• Electronics — an illuminated engine warning light is a rejection point; we diagnose why it is on.
• Visibility and safety — wipers, washers, windscreen damage, seat belts, horn, mirrors.

Whatever is not in order, we repair — always with a clear quote first. You decide; we replace nothing without your approval.

Why not just go straight to the inspection?

You can, of course. But a rejection means: a report, arranging repairs and a re-test — two visits instead of one, usually at an inconvenient moment. Most rejection points can be found in advance without difficulty. A well-prepared car normally passes in one go. If your car has already failed, read our step-by-step plan after a failed APK.

When should you book the preparation?

Two to four weeks before the expiry date is ideal: enough time to order parts without any time pressure. Useful to know: you may have the car inspected up to two months before the expiry date without losing those months — the new expiry date simply counts on from the old one. You can look up your expiry date with the free APK check on our homepage, and what you can check yourself is in the APK checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Do you carry out the APK inspection?

No. We take care of the preparation and the repairs; the inspection itself happens at an RDW-approved test centre. That way you know the assessment is independent of the party doing the repairs.

How long does an APK preparation take?

The check takes about an hour. If repairs come out of it, you hear in advance what is needed, what it costs and how long it takes. Common jobs are often finished the same day.

What does it cost?

The price depends on what your car needs — which is why we always quote first. Call or message us for a quick estimate.

These points are handled during APK preparation in Tilburg — also after a failure.