Frequently asked questions

The Autotohtori inspection is a comprehensive vehicle condition inspection that covers almost 100 different checkpoints, which means that the Autotohtori service is a much more thorough check than a simple periodic inspection. For example, an Autotohtori inspection will measure the boiling point of the brake fluids and the freezing resistance of the coolant, the tyre pressures and the tyre tread, and check the operation of all electrical equipment. The detected faults and deficiencies are also assessed on a broader scale than during a vehicle inspection.

Yes, you can. We check the vehicle data in the VIS before sending reminders to make sure that cars have not changed ownership or that the cars have not already been scrapped. In the case of business customers, it is possible to get a reminder for a vehicle if the information provided to us matches the company/registration number combination found in the business customer register. This also applies to vehicles without a second holder.

When driving, a fuel-powered engine accumulates carbon deposits. Carbon deposits in the engine can also cause smoke and jerking of the engine. When the engine is cleaned with a cleaning agent and the fire event in the engine is intensified, the vehicle produces less emissions and also consumes less fuel. In addition, the wear of the engine and its components is slowed down.

You can subscribe to an inspection reminder for cars, vans, campers, moped cars, heavy vehicles or quad bikes at the Muistakatsastus.fi service. Trailers are not included in the regular reminders. You can subscribe to a reminder as an individual or subscribe to a reminder for a company-owned vehicle.

In the nationwide appointment booking, you can book the inspection and the Autotohtori service for the same reservation, in which case you are booking one combined longer timeslot. The duration of the Autotohtori inspection is about 60 minutes. In connection with the vehicle inspection, the price of a Autotohtori service is €79. If an Autotohtori service is booked without the vehicle inspection, it costs €99. Please note that there are less times available for the Autotohtori service than there is for the periodic inspections. The Autotohtori service is available for cars and vans with a total mass of 3500 kg or less.

The best benefit is obtained if the removal is carried out once a year on average, or if there is a high accumulation of mileage, at intervals of about 30,000 kilometres, i.e. even before the accumulation of dirt in the engine causes problems.

Methanol is more toxic than ethanol. In addition, methanol is produced from fossil fuels, unlike ethanol, which is renewable. The screenwash fluids in the A-Katsastus’ range do not contain methanol and do not have a strong smell. We will refill your vehicle’s screenwash fluid tank for you when you buy screenwash fluid from us.

The best benefit is obtained if the removal is carried out once a year on average, or if there is a high accumulation of mileage, at intervals of about 30,000 kilometres, i.e. even before the accumulation of dirt in the engine causes problems.

No, but you can ask your inspector for advice for changing the bulb. In some cases, replacing a bulb is very fast, while in other vehicle types the replacement of headlight bulbs is a rather lengthy and time-consuming operation requiring some dismantling of the front of the vehicle, for example.

Yes, it is. The instructions can be found in the sales package of the parking disc. This function is only available when the vehicle is parked.

Usually, the wiper blades should be replaced approximately once a year. If the car is driven a lot, a reasonable interval for replacing the wiper blades may be six months. It is recommended to replace the wiper blades whenever you notice that the wiping performance has deteriorated. Poorly maintained wiper blades may scratch the surface of the windshield. Even newer wiper blades may be damaged in freezing temperatures if the wiper blades are pulled off from a frozen windshield too hard, for example. After that, the wiper blade will no longer work well.

The undiluted or under-diluted washer fluid concentrate is thick and often leaves a bothersome film on the glass. If the screenwash fluid is too strong, it may also harden and ruin the rubber parts of the wiper blades. A-Katsastus’ screenwash fluids intended for normal weather are pre-diluted and ready for use. For particularly severe sub-zero temperatures, we also sell a dilutable concentrate. When you purchase screenwash fluid from us, we will refill your vehicle’s screenwash tank for you.

Water is better than no washer fluid at all, of course, but it does not clean the windshied very effectively. The A-Katsastus’ screenwash fluid for summer is specially designed to remove insects from the windscreen. The ready-to-use screenwash solution should also be used to wipe down the wiper blades from time to time. This way, the wiper blades stay clean and in good condition for longer. When you purchase screenwash fluid from A-Katsastus, we will refill the screenwash fuel tank for you.

A driving licence can be renewed at an Ajovarma service point. Bring your previous driver’s license and 2 passport photos with you to the appointment. (You do not need new photos if you have a valid Finnish passport or ID card, or you have submitted photos in 2013 or later for a driving licence, driver card, professional qualification card, ADR license or taxi driver’s license.)

Bring a medical report that is less than 6 months old or an extended medical report with you, if necessary. You can find more information on medical reports and renewing a driving licence at Traficom’s Ajokortti-info website.

Renewing a driving license (Traficom)

On Traficom’s Ajokortti-info website, you can find a list of the types of vehicles you are allowed to drive under each driving licence category:

Vehicles I am allowed to drive (Traficom)

Driving ability is the sum of many things. Different symptoms, illnesses or injuries may affect the driver’s ability to drive. On Traficom’s Ajokortti-info website you will find comprehensive information about driving health:

Fitness to drive (Traficom)

The driving examination is divided into a theory test and a driving test. Some categories also have a handling test. A driving examination is carried out at an Ajovarma service point. The following prerequisites must be met for admission to the driving examination: you must meet the age requirements for a specific driving licence category, have a valid driving licence permit, not have a driving ban, and you must have completed the training corresponding to the specific examination category.

More information on the driving licence can be found at Traficom’s Ajokortti-info.fi website:

Driving examination (Traficom)

Trailer towing in traffic is regulated by the maximum permissible (theoretical) total weight of the towing vehicle and trailer, for example. You need to make sure what kind of trailer you have the right to tow with your driving licence and what kind of trailer you are allowed to tow with your own car.

Information about towing a trailer, videos and a useful checklist for towing a trailer can be found at Traficom’s Ajokortti-info website:

Trailer towing (Traficom)

You can get the actual sales receipt at the service point when the service takes place. The appointment confirmation you get by email for a vehicle inspection is not a valid receipt for the tax authorities, for example.

You can apply for an instructor permit at an Ajovarma service point. If you have an ID or a driving licence that is issued in an EU or EEA country, please bring it with you. In Traficom’s ‘How to obtain a driving licence for a passenger car – Instructions for teachers with an instruction permit’ guide, you will find a lot of additional information about the instruction permit. You can find the guide and other information at Traficom’s Ajokortti-info.fi website: Driving instructor permit (Traficom)
You can check in Traficom’s My e-Services whether you have already been granted the driving instruction permit you have applied for: Driver data and extracts from the Driving Licence Register (Traficom)

You can find information about this topic:
Look up an Ajovarma appointment

You can order a new driving licence by visiting an Ajovarma service point. You’ll need to take 2 passport photos with you. (You do not need new photos if you have a valid Finnish passport or ID card, or you have submitted photos in 2013 or later for a driving licence, driver card, professional qualification card, ADR license or taxi driver’s license.) Please note that the photo code from a photography studio cannot be used to apply for a driving license.

Same services are also available in Traficom’s website: Changes to driving licence (Ajokortti-info.fi) You can find more information on ordering a new driving licence on Traficom’s Ajokortti-info website: Ordering a new driving license (Traficom)

Once you have commissioned the vehicle back for use in traffic, you can use the vehicle immediately if the vehicle’s periodic inspection and traffic insurance are valid, the licence plates are attached, and the vehicle tax is paid.

If you are the owner or holder of a vehicle that is registered in the vehicle register, you can decommission the vehicle from traffic at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service point that handles registrations. You will need to provide the notification part of the registration certificate if one exists for the vehicle (not mandatory) and an identity card.

Alternatively, an agent authorised by the owner or holder of the vehicle can take care of the matter on your behalf.

The current prices can be found in the inspection service price list:

Prices for vehicle inspection services

It is not necessary to return the license plates when a vehicle is decommissioned from traffic. Returning the licence plates has no impact on the validity of the registration number or the validity of the motor insurance. The validity of the registration number expires only when the vehicle is decommissioned abroad, in Åland, permanently removed or when the registration number is changed.

Motor insurance is a legal obligation. Every motor-driven vehicle used in traffic must be covered by at least a motor insurance. Car insurance is also recommended, but not mandatory.

You can have your vehicle insured with the insurance company of your choice during the change of ownership at the A-Katsastus and Ajovarma offices that handle registrations. We cover almost all insurance companies.

If the insurance is taken out at the time of registration and the policyholder (vehicle’s owner or holder) is not present, the paying agent must have a power of attorney to take out the insurance. The power of attorney must indicate that the authorised person has the right to take out insurance, the vehicle identification data (registration number or vehicle identification number), the insurance company to which the vehicle is insured and the type of insurance to take out on the vehicle. In addition, it must indicate the transfer of any bonuses and in how many instalments the insurance will be paid for.

If you are the owner or holder of a vehicle that is registered in the vehicle register, you can recommission the vehicle for traffic at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service point that handles registrations. You will need to provide the notification part of the registration certificate if one exists for the vehicle (not mandatory) and an identity card. Alternatively, an agent authorised by the owner or holder of the vehicle can take care of the matter on your behalf.

It is prohibited to use a vehicle that has been decommissioned from traffic. If the licence plates of a vehicle that has been decommissioned from traffic have not been returned and the vehicle is covered by a valid motor insurance, the vehicle may be used in traffic until the end of the day on which the decommissioning has been completed.

A vehicle that has been decommissioned may be moved to a pre-arranged vehicle inspection test and, from there, to repair or storage if the vehicle number plates have not been returned and the vehicle’s motor insurance has not ended.

Commissioning a vehicle for traffic means bringing a vehicle that has previously been decommissioned back into traffic use. When you commission a vehicle for traffic, the commission is effective immediately after the notification and will be valid indefinitely.

The current prices can be found in the inspection service price list:

Prices for vehicle inspection and registration services

When a vehicle is sold, it is always important to draw up a separate handover document that includes the buyer’s details, the handover date and the vehicle identification information, i.e. the registration number or the vehicle identification number.

If the buyer of the vehicle does not register the vehicle within seven days, the seller may submit a handover notification at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service point that handles registrations. Thus, the seller’s obligations in relation to taxes and insurance end on the date on which the vehicle is handed over.

The vehicle must be registered within 7 days if the vehicle’s owner or holder information changes. Please note that any changes to the owner or holder information of vehicles that have been decommissioned from traffic must also be notified to the register within seven days.

For example, if the owner information changes on Monday, the change of ownership must be notified on Monday of the following week at the latest. If the last possible date is on Saturday or a holiday, you can submit a notification on the following working day at the latest.

In order to change ownership, you need either a certificate issued by the seller or a notification part of the registration certificate (Part II). You can also change ownership without a certificate or Part II if the previous owner has provided you with a handover notification. You can take care of the change of ownership at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service point that handles registrations.

You do not need to file a register notification under the estate of a deceased. If the estate is selling or buying the vehicle, you can find more information on Traficom’s website:

Vehicle belonging to the estate of a deceased person (Traficom)

The vehicle tax period ends at the time of decommissioning and the motor insurance becomes inactive.

Decommissioning a vehicle from traffic means temporarily removing a vehicle that has been registered in Finland from use in traffic. The decommissioning is valid indefinitely.

A shareholder of the estate can decommission the vehicle from traffic at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service points that handle registrations. A valid notification part (Part II) of the registration certificate needs to be provided. If the estate does not have the notification part, the shareholder of the estate can decommission the vehicle from traffic by presenting an inventory of the estate or an official certificate of the deceased as proof of being a shareholder in the estate.

The shareholder of the estate can take care of commissioning the vehicle for traffic at an A-Katsastus or Ajovarma service point that handles registrations. A valid registration certificate notification part (Part II) is required. If the estate does not have the notification part, the shareholder of the estate can commission the vehicle for traffic by presenting an inventory of the estate or an official certificate of the deceased as proof of being a shareholder in the estate.

You must book a new appointment for your car for a periodic inspection. The emission measurement certificate obtained, also called the ‘inspection card’, from the previous inspection is valid for three months from the time of measuring. If the emissions have complied with the limit values and the certificate is still valid, the statutory measuring does not need to be repeated.

As a contractual customer of certain leasing companies, you can come to the inspection and the invoice is sent directly to your leasing company. If you do not know whether the inspection is part of your leasing contract and the inspection is urgent, make an appointment at our service point or come without an appointment and pay for the inspection yourself. You can later check the payment policies and collect the amount back from your leasing company against a receipt, if the inspection is part of your contract.

Depends on the vehicle model and body type. For example, it is possible to change a station wagon to a van, but this usually requires reducing the number of seats. You should check with the inspector before making any modifications. The seat structures of the removed seats must be completely removed, and the seat anchorages cannot be readily accessible. After the modifications have been made, the vehicle must be brought for a modification inspection.

If the statutory measuring has already been carried out during a maintenance event, for example, bring a certificate of the results with you to the inspection. In this case, measuring does not need to be carried out at the time of the inspection. Please remember that the certificate must not be older than 3 months and must be intended as a certificate to be presented for the inspection.

The facilities and practices of the stations vary, so you must agree on this with the inspection station staff in advance.

The details inspected during a periodic inspection and the criteria for the assessment are set out in general terms in the Directive. On this basis, each EU country acts in accordance with its own legislation. You can check the assessment criteria of statutory measuring in Finlex-service, which is an Internet service on legal information, owned by the Finnish Ministry of Justice. It is a public service, available free of charge.

Vehicle inspection assessment criteria in Finnish (Finlex)

The period is one month from the date the vehicle first failed a periodic inspection.

You can come and show the vehicle at times and get the list of faults shortened, but it is not possible to get an extension.

You can get the actual sales receipt at the service point when the service takes place. The appointment confirmation you get by email for a vehicle inspection is not a valid receipt for the tax authorities, for example.

Both prepaid and unpaid appointments can be cancelled at any time before the appointment time. If you have paid for the appointment in advance, please contact our national appointment booking service to have the payment refunded to your account. If you fail to arrive at the scheduled time, the paid appointment will not be refunded.

Appointment booking and customer service

No. The post-inspection following a periodic inspection may also be carried out at an inspection station other than where the original inspection took place.

You can find service point-specific prices on the service point pages and by starting an appointment booking process. Prices vary by station and time, as well as during promotional periods, for example. There is also a limited number of cheaper vehicle inspection timeslots available online. They always require booking and paying in advance. You can recognise these timeslots by the orange colour.

Prices for vehicle inspection services

The price of a periodic inspection consists of the inspection and statutory measuring. Usually, the measuring is carried out at the inspection station, but it is possible that the measuring has been performed during a maintenance event, for example. If you have a valid certificate meant for vehicle inspection, measuring does not need to be carried out during the inspection.

A-Katsastus’ vehicle inspection for cars always includes a free check of the engine oil level and an assessment of the condition of the wiper blades.