Your car failed its APK in Almere — what now?
Did your car fail its APK (the Dutch MOT)? Don't panic — it happens to thousands of car owners every year. This guide explains what 'failed' actually means, the deadline you have for a re-inspection, the most common failure points and what it costs to get your car approved again. AutoJet in Almere repairs the failed points and arranges the APK (re-)inspection through our inspection partner — you see the price up front by license plate. Open Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00.
What does 'APK failed' mean?
At the APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the Dutch periodic vehicle inspection) an accredited tester checks whether your car is safe and clean enough for public roads. If your car fails, one or more parts don't meet the requirements. You receive a list of defects stating exactly what's wrong.
Important: once your old APK has expired, you may no longer drive a failed car — except directly to a garage or test station for repair or re-inspection, by appointment. Driving without a valid APK means a fine, and you're not insured in the event of damage.
Re-inspection: what deadline do you have?
After a failure you repair the defects and have the car tested again — this is called a herkeuring (re-inspection). If you have the re-inspection done within two months at the same test station, it's usually cheaper or free and only checks what previously failed.
Wait longer or go to a different station and a full new inspection follows. Our advice: repair and re-test as soon as possible, preferably through the same channel — it saves both time and money.
The most common failure points
By far the most cars fail on a handful of points. Recognise one? Have it checked before the inspection to avoid a failure:
- Tyres — tread below 1.6 mm, cracks or uneven wear.
- Brakes — discs or pads too thin, uneven braking.
- Lighting — blown bulbs, misaligned headlights.
- Suspension & shock absorbers — play or leakage.
- Rust on load-bearing parts of the body.
- Wipers & visibility — worn blades or windscreen damage in the field of view.
- Exhaust & emissions — leakage or emissions too high.
What does it cost to get your car approved again?
The APK inspection itself runs through our regular inspection partner and costs €70 — and is free with a big service. What the repair costs depends on what failed. That's why we work with fixed, transparent prices that you see up front by license plate — no surprises afterwards. A few common items:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| APK inspection via our partner | €70 |
| Brake pads (per axle) incl. fitting | from €160 |
| Discs + pads (per axle) | from €330 |
| Shock absorbers | from €360 |
| Tyres | by license plate |
For complex work (for example on the engine or timing belt) you get a price only after inspection. You never pay for work you haven't approved in advance.
How AutoJet helps: repairs in-house, inspection via our partner
At AutoJet in Almere you have one point of contact: we repair the failed points ourselves and arrange the APK (re-)inspection through our regular inspection partner (€70). So you don't have to find a test station yourself. Enter your license plate and we see the make, model and details of your car and give you a clear price up front.
We speak Ukrainian, Russian and English — handy if Dutch isn't your first language. Please note: we don't do bodywork, structural rust repair or paint work. If that's what failed, we'll say so honestly and point you in the right direction.
See also: APK inspection in Almere · Blog
Frequently asked questions about a failed APK
May I drive a car that failed its APK?
As long as your old APK is still valid, you may keep driving — even after a failure. Once the APK has expired, you may only drive directly to a garage or test station, by appointment, for repair or re-inspection. Driving without a valid APK means a fine and you're not insured in case of damage.
How long do I have for a re-inspection?
A re-inspection within two months at the same test station is usually cheaper or free and is limited to the previously failed points. Wait longer or go to another station and a full new inspection follows. So it's best to do it quickly and through the same channel.
What does an APK inspection cost in Almere?
The APK inspection runs through our regular inspection partner and costs €70. With a big service the APK is even free. If something fails, AutoJet gives you a clear price for the repair up front — by license plate, with no surprises. You never pay for work you haven't approved.
Does AutoJet arrange the APK inspection too?
We repair the failed points ourselves; the APK (re-)inspection we arrange through our regular inspection partner (€70). So you have one point of contact in Almere and don't have to find a test station or make a second appointment yourself.
What are the most common failure points?
Usually tyres (tread below 1.6 mm), brakes, lighting, suspension and shock absorbers, rust on load-bearing parts and worn wipers. In doubt? Have it checked before the inspection to avoid a failure.
Do you also repair rust and bodywork?
We do mechanical repairs fully in-house. Bodywork, structural rust repair and paint work we don't do — if that's what failed, we'll say so honestly and advise you where to go.
Car failed its APK? We'll get it approved again.
Repairs in-house · APK inspection €70 via our partner · price up front by license plate