DMV Certified Brake and Light Inspection Station in Kearny Mesa, San Diego

The California DMV requires that any salvaged or junked vehicle is in safe, roadworthy condition before being retitled. To ensure that critical components such as brakes and headlamps are not damaged or misaligned, a state-licensed Brake & Lamp Inspection Station must conduct a thorough examination and issue a certificate upon completion. Once the certificate is presented to the DMV, the vehicle can be legally registered.

California Motor Works & Tires is one of the only licensed Brake & Lamp Inspection Stations in San Diego, so if you need to register a fixed-up salvage vehicle, give us a call at (858) 560-1245 to set up an appointment.

Brake inspection

Brakes are a critical component of vehicle safety, which is why the DMV only trusts a select number of auto repair shops to conduct a thorough inspection. At California Motor Works & Tires, our expert technicians will evaluate every aspect of your car’s brake system. Our Brake Inspection checklist includes:

• Brake pads or shoes: No less than 50% thickness remaining

• Brake drums and rotors: Measurements must be within manufacturer specifications

• Braking hardware: Must be present, installed correctly, and in working order

• Hydraulic system: No signs of leakage in the master cylinder, wheel cylinder, calipers, valves, lines, and connections.

• Hoses: No visible cracks

• Warning lamps: Light up when necessary

• Emergency brake: Capable of holding the vehicle on a 6% grade

• Suspension components: No broken or worn shocks or struts

• Alignment: Wheels aligned properly

If our inspection reveals any issues that must be resolved, California Motor Works & Tires offers expert repairs to get your car back on the road and officially retitled.

light / Lamp Inspection

Driving without properly-working lamp equipment is illegal and unsafe for both the driver and everyone else on the road, which is why the DMV requires a comprehensive lighting system inspection from a licensed auto repair expert. At California Motor Works & Tires, our Lamp Inspection checklist includes:

• Headlamps and tail lamps: Must illuminate properly with all adjusting hardware in good working order

• Lenses and reflectors: Intact with no cracks

• Headlamp aiming pads: No damage to the small points on the lamp glass

• Other lighting equipment: Marker lamps, backup lamps, brake lamps, license plate lamps, turn signals, high beam indicator, and all warning lamps in good working order

• Visibility: No body damage interfering with the visibility of the lighting equipment

If our inspection reveals lighting equipment that must be repaired or replaced, California Motor Works & Tires offers expert repairs to pass DMV registration requirements.

Other reasons for a Brake & light / Lamp Inspection

Registering a salvaged vehicle is the most common reason to get a Brake & Lamp Inspection from a licensed repair shop, but there are other reasons the DMV might require or encourage an inspection:

• California highway patrol citation: If a CHP officer discovers a defect on your vehicle that could cause a personal safety issue or create a hazardous situation for other drivers, you will be issued a citation to have the problem remedied.

• Purchasing a used vehicle: The DMV does not require a Brake & Lamp Inspection for used-vehicle purchases, but many people want to ensure the used car they are considering for purchase is in proper mechanical operating condition.

At California Motor Works & Tires, we can repair defects for a wide range of CHP citations, and we also offer comprehensive used vehicle inspections.