As a car owner, there are certain times when you’ll want or need to get your car inspected. Let’s say you’re looking to purchase a used car or get into an accident and are looking to make an insurance claim—these moments, among others, would require a thorough check-up of your vehicle.
If you happen to find yourself in such a situation, you’re in luck. There are a good number of businesses offering top-notch car inspection services in Calgary.
Below, we’ll take you through all you need to know about the best ones in the city! From rates to our assessments of their policies, you should come away armed with the info you need.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Car Inspection Cost in Calgary?
No matter which city you’re in, car inspection costs will boil down to a number of factors: the company you approach, the kind of inspection you need, and the points of inspection or thoroughness of the service.
As far as inspections go, here are the four most common kinds in Calgary: insurance, pre-purchase, out-of-province, and commercial.
Focusing on these services, we gathered the available prices from the best car inspection joints in Calgary:
| Insurance Inspection | Pre-Purchase Inspection | Out-of-Province Inspection | Commercial Vehicle Inspection | |
| Alberta Auto Sales | $100 | $100 | $120 | $160 |
| Car Salon | $99 | $149 | $189 | $209 |
| Ryanco Automotive | $138 | Starts at $142 | $138 | $215 |
| Tire Kings | Quote available upon request. | |||
| InstaMek | Quote available upon request. | |||
| InspectaCAR | $79 | Prime: $149 Premium: $219 | $159 |
Below, learn more about these services and what each kind of inspection entails!
The Best Car Inspection Services in Calgary
Now that you have an idea of how much the various kinds of car inspections cost, let’s get into our list. Here, we discuss the best car inspection services in Calgary!
1. Car Salon
| PRODUCTS | Out-of-province inspection, pre-purchase inspection, commercial vehicle inspection, AMVIC inspection, insurance inspection, fleet inspection, tire and auto repair, detailing, auto body and accessories |
| WEBSITE | https://www.carsalon.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1725 32 Ave NE Calgary, AB T2E 7C8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 250-3722 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| PRICING | Out-of-province inspection: $189 Pre-purchase inspection: $149 Commercial vehicle inspection: $209 AMVIC inspection: $135 Insurance inspection: $99 Fleet inspection: price available upon request |
Car Salon’s motto is “For Everything Automotive,” and quite frankly, we can’t think of a tagline more fitting. Take a look at their list of services and you’ll understand what we mean.
Not only does Car Salon offer an extensive list of inspection services—they’re a one-stop shop for anything related to vehicles. Whether you need a new tire, detailing, repairs or anything in between, they can surely help you out.
Since you’re here to learn more about the best car inspection services in Calgary, let’s zero in on what Car Salon has to offer.
They offer all of the basic car inspection services: pre-purchase, insurance, and out-of-province. In addition to these, they also offer inspections for fleet and commercial vehicles.
As far as price points go, most of Car Salon’s services fall right in the middle of the spectrum. $68 for a 100-point insurance inspection isn’t bad at all—especially when you consider the extra effort they put into the job.
At Car Salon, regardless of what kind of inspection you get done, you’ll receive two things: a report on the vehicle’s current state, and a price estimate for any repairs needed for any issues discovered during the inspection. The price estimate is a nice touch—it goes to show that they don’t just get the job done, but care about the performance of your car in the long run.
That said, not all of Car Salon’s prices are quite as easy on the pocket.
Their out-of-province inspection is priced at $189—more than triple of Ryanco Automotive’s fee and $30 more than InspectaCar’s. For this particular service, you may get more bang for your buck by visiting another company in this list.
Pros
- One-stop auto inspection and repair shop
- Has a live chat feature for customer concerns
- Provides customers with an inspection report and price estimate for any needed repairs
Cons
- Pricing for out-of-province inspections is high compared to other listings
Customer Reviews
Check out what customers have to say about Car Salon’s vehicle inspections!
“The Car Salon has won my trust and loyalty over these past 6 years. I have been tremendously pleased with my service experience. They take the time to communicate clearly and always provide me with options, i.e. this can wait, this is urgent, there are three approaches to this. They make me feel like they care about me and keeping me safe on the road.” —Dianne Verschuere
“These guys helped me with a Pre-purchase inspection, when I was serious about buying my used car. Helped me out tremendously. I didn’t want to buy a lemon!” —Lindsay Morgain
2. Ryanco Automotive
| PRODUCTS | Insurance inspection, pre-purchase inspection, out-of-province inspection, commercial and bus inspections, maintenance, tire repair |
| WEBSITE | https://www.ryancoautomotive.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 2300 18 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8R1 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 291-5553 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM |
| PRICING | Insurance inspection: $138.00 Out-of-province inspection: $138.00 140-point pre-purchase inspections: starts $124.00 Commercial and bus inspection: $158.00 250-point pre-purchase inspection: price available upon request |
For over 20 years, Ryanco Automotive has been servicing the vehicle owners of Alberta. Similar to some of the other listings here, they are a one-stop shop offering everything from inspections to repairs.
The reason they’ve lasted so long and have earned a 4.2-star rating online is easily their reasonable pricing. When we say they’re budget-friendly, we mean it—they’re the most affordable quality car inspection service in Calgary!
Case in point: they charge $138 for out-of-province and 100-point insurance inspections. For reference, the rest of the providers on this list charge over $100 for out-of-province inspections.
With unbeatable pricing, two decades of experience in the industry, and an accommodating team of hardworking staff, Ryanco Automotive’s inspections come highly recommended by previous customers.
However, you may want to take note: the rest of their parts, repairs and maintenance post-inspection aren’t as nicely priced.
While customers have nothing but good things to say about their thorough $138 inspections, the amount charged for the repairs thereafter are noticeably higher in comparison. That said, it may be best, budget-wise, to avail of Ryanco’s inspections but get the repairs completed elsewhere.
Pros
- Most affordable car inspection in Calgary
- Accepts vintage vehicles for inspection
- Offers inspections, repairs and other vehicle maintenance services
Cons
- Repairs and maintenance costs are high compared to inspection rates
Customer Reviews
Check out what previous Ryanco Automotive customers have to say about their experience below.
“By far the cheapest place to go in the city for an Out of Province Inspection, but don’t take that low price point for low quality work. The guys were super friendly and helpful and made the process easy for bringing my car into Alberta. Would definitely recommend!” —Bryce Kelly
“Ryanco performed an out-of-province [inspection] on a 35-year-old vehicle. Most shops will not. Good price, good communication, good advice, and overall painless experience. Re-inspection after addressing deficiencies was a breeze. Will use again.” —Aaron Allison
3. Tire Kings
| PRODUCTS | Car and truck inspections, out-of-province inspections, air conditioner inspections, vehicle maintenance, automotive repairs |
| WEBSITE | https://tirekingscalgary.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1381 Hastings Cres., SE, Suite #1, Calgary, AB T2G 4C8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 283-5015 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
With decades of experience and a team of highly skilled mechanics and inspectors, Tire Kings has long been one of the go-to spots for car inspections in Calgary—and for good reason, too.
Simple is best over at Tire Kings Calgary. No fuss, no muss—here, they offer a streamlined list of popular inspection services for both cars and trucks.
In addition to the typical pre-purchase and out-of-province inspections, they offer air conditioner inspections as well. This is great for folks who have specific concerns about their air con units, which are a common pain point in the summer.
Tire Kings boasts the highest customer rating on Google among all the listings you’ll find in this article too. Weighing in at an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars, they receive high praise for their centrally accessible location, attentive customer service, and quality of work.
Another thing that customers love about this place is their pricing. While their prices are not published publicly, rest assured that whatever they quote you from the get-go is the price you’ll pay. No hidden costs here!
Pros
- Best scores in customer reviews online
- Centrally accessible location
- Offers inspections specific to air conditioner performance
- Online booking
Cons
- Prices are not published online
Customer Reviews
Want to learn more about what makes Tire Kings one of the best car inspection services in Calgary? Check out these reviews:
“Neil took the time to listen and understand the issues we were having with our Toyota Highlander and upon inspection advised us of what was absolutely necessary to repair the issue. All work was done within a reasonable time and price quoted.” —Raman Srivastava
“I went to Tire King for a pre-purchase inspection. The staff were friendly, professional and honest about the work required on the vehicle I wanted to purchase. The inspection was done on time and at the price quoted. I will definitely be back.” —Merrilee Bogle
4. InstaMek
| PRODUCTS | Pre-purchase inspection, engine and car noises inspection, towing services, car maintenance, engine repair, parts replacement |
| WEBSITE | https://instamek.com/cities/mechanic-calgary/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 1-866-829-7204 [email protected] |
InstaMek is a little different from the rest of the listings included in this article.
First off, they don’t have a publicly accessible location or warehouse. Instead, their mechanics come to you to inspect your vehicle.
This home service model cuts out the waiting time and travel expenses from the typical car inspection scenario. They’ve also received good reviews from customers about how quickly they are able to deploy staff for inspections (they can arrive within the hour on a good day!)
The convenience and efficiency of their service aren’t the only thing worth praising, though. They are also very thorough with their inspections, noting down all the little things that car owners should be made aware of—and offering fairly priced repairs and maintenance to answer these.
It should be noted, however, that there are a few things about InstaMek that may keep customers guessing.
For one, their address, hours and prices are not available online—a small price to pay for their home service business model. You’d have to get in touch for a quote beforehand.
Another thing to consider is their list of services. Compared to the rest of the listings here, InstaMek’s inspection roster is less diverse, with their services focusing on pre-purchase and noise-related inspections.
Pros
- At-home inspection services
- Fast booking and deployment process
- Detailed FAQ section per service is available online
Cons
- Company address, hours, and prices are not publicly published
- Specializes in only pre-purchase and noise-related inspections
Customer Reviews
Check out these reviews on InstaMek’s car inspections below:
“Glen did a pre service inspection and quote today that I was very happy with. He was extremely organized and timely with the inspection and very helpful in determining which service I wanted to get done. Will be recommending him to any of my friends the next time they need some work done. Thanks again Glen!” —Trevor Vaiasicca
“ I called to get a vehicle inspection, had a mechanic at the house within an hour who seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Would use again and recommend for someone not looking to spend an afternoon in a shop waiting room.” —Gavin Wilson
5. InspectaCAR
| PRODUCTS | Pre-purchase inspection, insurance inspection, out-of-province inspection, dealer or fleet inspection, maintenance services |
| WEBSITE | https://inspectacar.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 542 38A Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1X4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 266-5588 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| PRICING | 200-point prime mechanical inspection: $149 Premium 240-point pre-purchase inspection: $219 Insurance inspection: $79 Out-of-province inspection: $159 Dealer/fleet inspection: price available upon request |
When you click into InspectaCAR’s site, you’ll find a tagline that may leave you a little surprised.
“It’s simple. We’re certified, experienced, and not a repair shop,” reads their front banner—an interesting move since most Calgary car inspectors take pride in being a one-stop warehouse for check-ups and the repairs needed thereafter.
However, InspectaCAR understands that some inspectors-slash-repairmen may make a mountain out of a molehill simply so they can charge for repairs. This is an issue that customers will never encounter at InspectaCAR simply because they have no affiliated repair services.
Apart from basic maintenance services like oil changes and battery servicing, they simply inspect vehicles. And they do it well.
InspectaCAR offers all the standard inspections that a car owner would typically look for, from insurance inspections to out-of-province checks.
For pre-purchase inspections, they offer two options: a 200-point mechanical check-up, and a more detailed 240-point inspection ideal for spotting all potential issues.
Fast, efficient and detail-oriented service is the norm for InspectaCAR. At the end of every inspection, customers will not only walk away with smiles on their faces—they’ll get a printed primer of necessary repairs that they can directly hand over to a mechanic, too.
Having this nifty little print-out saves customers the effort of relaying the information to a mechanic, when they may not fully be able to explain the issue.
However, if you so desire, you can rest assured that the InspectaCAR staff can give you a full-blown explanation of your car’s state and potential problems.
Pros
- Offers two levels of pre-purchase inspections: 200-point and 240-point
- Not a repair shop, therefore no reason to make up unnecessary repairs
- Offers basic maintenance
Cons
- Customers would need to go to a separate repair shop or mechanic after inspection
- Pricing is higher compared to other listings
Customer Reviews
Thinking of dropping by InspectaCAR? Check out these reviews to learn more reasons this company made it to our list of the best car inspection services in Calgary!
“I took my truck to be inspected a few months back, and just recently took my wife’s car for an inspection. Once again, the service from the reception to the inspector Cody was exceptional. Cody [has] done a thorough inspection and explained everything to me personally. Another great experience!” —Mark O’ Connor
“I made an appointment for my mom to get a synthetic oil change and to find out what was wrong with her car. Both the receptionist and Carlos, the inspector, were very good to her. The price was far cheaper than we had budgeted for and it was a quick and efficient process. I now know what is wrong with her car (much cheaper than other places) so I can order some parts and get it fixed. Thank you very much!” —Paul
6. Harvest Hills Auto
| PRODUCTS | https://harvesthillsauto.com/auto-repair-services/ |
| WEBSITE | https://harvesthillsauto.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 9650 Harvest Hills Blvd N #800 Calgary, AB T3K 0B3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Number: (403) 226-9933 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Weekdays: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Saturday: 8 AM – 5 PM Sunday: Closed |
| PRICING | Contact for more details |
Harvest Hills Auto has been giving the best services to Calgarians since 2006. Their team is composed of nine auto repair professionals who are trained to assess and repair any vehicle, regardless of make or model.
People prefer to contact them when in need of auto repair services because they are familiar with any type of vehicle. Whether it is one of the latest or oldest model, you can trust them in fixing the issue.
Another factor why people choose them is because of the wide range of services they offer. From auto inspection services, battery replacements, brake repair to digital inspection service, free roadside assistance, and tire & wheel service, they can always accommodate you.
Over the years, they have built a reputation that makes them one of the most trusted company in the auto repair field in the area.
Pros
- Factory-warranty approved
- Responds quickly
- Utilizes every resource
Cons
- Exact rates are unavailable online
Customer Reviews
Here is a review from one of Harvest Hills Auto’s previous customers:
“Quite impressed by their services. Very professional, they didn’t have any empty time slot for me but still managed to squeeze me in for emergency fix (wether that’s true or not doesn’t matter they got my problem fixed). Recommended.”
How to Select a Car Inspection Service in Calgary
With no shortage of vehicle inspection specialists to turn to, the big question is, which one should you visit first? If you can’t quite choose who to entrust your car inspection to, considering these factors might help you arrive at a decision:
Accessibility
Distance plays a major role in any car-related service, especially if you’re looking to get an insurance inspection done after an accident.
You wouldn’t want to drive too far just to get your car checked up, so it’d be a good idea to choose an inspection service relatively near your residence.
However, there is another option to consider: home service. A number of car inspectors in Calgary go the extra mile and bring the service to you, which is even better than having to visit their shops yourself!
Points of Inspection
The number of points pertains to the thoroughness of the inspection service conducted. Put simply, the “points” are items on a checklist that need to be inspected by the folks in charge.
The higher the points, the more thorough the inspection, and therefore, the higher the price. For instance, insurance inspections are usually 100 points, while pricier pre-purchase inspections entail 200 points or more for checking.
Upfront or Flat Rate Pricing
Most car inspection services in Calgary have flat or base rates. However, if these rates are not published online, ensure that you at least get a quote from the service provider.
The last thing you want is to be charged an exorbitant amount after the fact. That said, it is always good practice to request for a quote beforehand—whether via email, phone call, or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Inspection in Calgary
That wraps up our guide to the best car inspection services in Calgary. We hope that this list helps you discover the kind of inspection you need, as well as the best place to get the service done.
In case you’re in the market for another car, we’ve got a couple of articles that may be of help to you. Click through to read our round-up of the best car dealerships in Calgary!
