What does the APK check exactly?
The APK is a mandatory periodic inspection for safety and emissions. But what exactly does the tester look at? This guide explains what the APK is, how often your car needs it and which checkpoints come up one by one — from brakes and tyres to rust and lighting. You'll also read how to prepare your car so you don't fail. AutoJet in Almere arranges the APK through our inspection partner (€70, free with a big service) and repairs any defects itself — you see the price up front by license plate. Open Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00.
What is the APK and how often do you need it?
The APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the Dutch periodic vehicle inspection) is the legally required inspection in which an accredited tester checks whether your car is safe and clean enough for public roads. The inspection centres on two things: road safety (brakes, tyres, lighting, steering) and the environment (emissions and leaks).
For most passenger cars the APK is usually annual. New cars are due for their first one later: a new petrol car typically gets its first APK after four years, then again after two years and every year after that. You can always find the exact expiry date by license plate.
The main checkpoints
The tester works through a fixed list. These are the points that matter for almost every car:
- Brakes — braking performance, thickness of discs and pads, no leaks in the brake system.
- Tyres & tread — at least 1.6 mm tread, no cracks, damage or uneven wear.
- Lighting — all lamps working and headlights correctly aligned.
- Suspension & shock absorbers — no excessive play or leakage.
- Steering — no play or damage in the steering system.
- Rust on load-bearing parts — corrosion on structural parts of the body.
- Wipers & visibility — working wipers and no damage in the windscreen's field of view.
- Seat belts — undamaged and working properly.
- Exhaust & emissions — no leaks and emissions within the limit.
- Warning lights — APK-relevant warning lamps (such as ABS, airbag or the engine management light) must not be on.
How to prepare — and avoid failing
Many failures are easy to avoid with a quick check beforehand. Run through these points or have them checked:
- Test all lights — including brake lights, indicators and number-plate lighting.
- Check that the tyre tread is still above 1.6 mm and that all tyres wear evenly.
- Replace worn wipers and top up the washer fluid.
- Watch for warning lights on your dashboard that stay on.
- Listen for unusual noises when braking or over bumps — this often points to brakes or suspension.
In doubt about a point? Have your car checked before the inspection. AutoJet checks the common failure points and repairs what's needed so you pass first time.
Did you fail? Here's the next step
If your car does fail, you receive a list of defects and a re-inspection (herkeuring) follows once the points are repaired. In our separate guide Failed your APK — what now? we explain the deadline you have for the re-inspection, what the most common failure points cost and how AutoJet gets your car approved again.
The good news: most failure points — brakes, tyres, lighting, suspension — we simply repair ourselves, quickly and at a fixed price by license plate.
How AutoJet helps: inspection via our partner, repairs in-house
At AutoJet in Almere you have one point of contact: we arrange the APK through our inspection partner (€70, free with a big service); we do the repairs ourselves. 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 the APK
What does the APK check exactly?
The APK checks your car for safety and emissions. The main points are brakes, tyres and tread (at least 1.6 mm), lighting, suspension and shock absorbers, steering, rust on load-bearing parts, wipers and visibility, seat belts, exhaust and emissions, plus APK-relevant warning lights that must not be on.
How often does my car need an APK?
For most passenger cars the APK is usually annual. A new petrol car typically gets its first inspection only after four years, then after two years and every year after that. The exact expiry date is registered by license plate.
What is the minimum tyre tread for the APK?
The legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the whole tyre. Below that, you fail. For good grip in winter most garages already advise replacing around 3 mm — if in doubt, have it checked before the inspection.
Will my car fail if a warning light is on?
APK-relevant warning lamps — such as ABS, airbag or the engine management light — must not be on during the inspection. If such a light is on, have the cause traced and fixed first, otherwise a failure is likely.
What does an APK cost at AutoJet in Almere?
We arrange the APK through our inspection partner and it costs €70 — and is free with a big service. If something fails, you get 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 itself?
We arrange the APK through our regular inspection partner (€70, free with a big service); any repairs we do ourselves. So you have one point of contact in Almere and don't have to find a test station yourself. Please note: we don't do bodywork, structural rust repair or paint work.
Need an APK? We arrange the inspection and the repair.
APK €70 via our partner (free with a big service) · repairs in-house · price up front by license plate