Is Safety Inspection the Same as Maintenance?
2 Answers
Safety inspection is not maintenance. Safety Inspection: Vehicle safety inspection is a mandatory test for every car, equivalent to a physical examination for the vehicle, aimed at promptly eliminating potential safety hazards. Car Maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the regular preventive work of inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the vehicle, also known as vehicle servicing.
When I first bought a car, I also thought that safety inspection was all there was to maintenance, but I only understood the difference when I went to the 4S shop later. Safety inspection mainly checks parts directly related to safety, such as brakes, tires, lights, and the steering system—for example, ensuring the brake pads aren’t worn out and the steering responds normally. Maintenance, on the other hand, covers a much broader range, including oil changes, air filter replacements, and wheel alignment, all aimed at keeping the car running smoothly and minimizing issues. Maintenance usually includes safety inspection as a key component, but it doesn’t stand alone. If you skip maintenance and only do inspections, the car might stall or have a tire blowout on the road—how dangerous is that? I personally get a full maintenance check every few months, which always includes a safety inspection, so I feel much more at ease when driving.
