Article 5 of the Saudi Vehicle Inspection Regulation
المادة 5 من تنظيم الفحص الفني الدوري للمركبات
The article limits the inspection body's activity to detecting technical faults and potential defects, and bars it from maintenance, repair and buying or selling spare parts.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب حصر نشاط جهة الفحص في كشف الأخطاء الفنية بالمركبة والقاطرة والمقطورة ونصف المقطورة، والأعطال المحتمل وقوعها فيها، وألا تمارس جهة الفحص أي نشاط للصيانة أو الإصلاح أو بيع قطع الغيار أو شرائها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 5 explained in plain English
This article sets the limits of the inspection body's activity, with two related provisions:
- What the activity must be limited to: Detecting technical faults in the vehicle, tractor unit, trailer and semi-trailer, and defects that may occur in them.
- What the inspection body is barred from: Carrying on any activity of maintenance, repair or selling or buying spare parts.
The evident reason for this separation is to prevent a conflict of interest; if an inspection body could repair vehicles or sell spare parts, it would have an interest in finding defects. The Regulation therefore made its role detection only, leaving repair to other bodies.
The ban covers all types of inspection bodies defined in Article 1, meaning the station, center and workshop, because the text speaks of the "inspection body" in general.
This provision connects to Article 6, which requires inspection to be carried out in accordance with the instructions, technical regulations and standard specifications the Authority issues, so the inspection body detects defects by uniform criteria and others then carry out the repair.
Practical example
After inspecting Abdulrahman's car, the inspection workshop offered him tire replacement with them for a sum. This offer violates the Regulation, because the inspection body's activity is limited to detecting technical faults, and it is barred from repair and the sale of spare parts.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 5 of the Saudi Vehicle Inspection Regulation
May a periodic inspection station repair the car?
No. The inspection body is barred from carrying on any maintenance or repair activity.
May an inspection center sell spare parts?
No. It is barred from selling or buying spare parts.
What is the inspection body's activity limited to?
Detecting technical faults in the vehicle, tractor unit, trailer and semi-trailer, and defects that may occur in them.
More articles on Inspection Activity and Technical Requirements
- Article 6
The article provides that periodic technical inspection of the vehicle, tractor unit, trailer and semi-trailer is carried out according to the instructions, technical regulations and standard specifications the Authority issues.
يُجرى الفحص الفني الدوري للمركبة والقاطرة والمقطورة ونصف المقطورة وفقاً لما تصدره الهيئة من تعليمات ولوائح فنية ومواصفات قياسية ذات علاقة بها.
- Article 7
The article requires the electronic inspection program to adopt the modern concept of inspection, with electronic integration, technical linkage and advanced training, and to ensure effectiveness and linkage with the Authority.
1- يجب أن يتبنى البرنامج المفهوم الحديث للفحص الفني للمركبات والقاطرة والمقطورة ونصف المقطورة، وبخاصة ما يأتي: أ- التكامل الفني والإداري لبرنامج جهة الفحص ضمن ب
- Article 8
The article requires the inspection body to provide integrated preventive maintenance for the program, including calibration of devices and equipment to maintain their readiness and accuracy, with the Authority following up on compliance.
على جهة الفحص أن توفر للبرنامج صيانة وقائية متكاملة، تشمل برامج معايرة الأجهزة والمعدات وبمختلف المستويات؛ لإسناد ودعماً لجميع أجهزة جهة الفحص الفني الدوري؛ للم
- Article 9
The article gives the Authority's board of directors the proposal of the fee for the inspection body, and the chairman submits it to the Council of Ministers for approval.
يتولى مجلس إدارة الهيئة اقتراح المقابل المالي الذي تحصل عليه جهة الفحص لإجراء الفحص الفني الدوري، ويرفعه الرئيس إلى مجلس الوزراء؛ لإقراره.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.