Fahas in Saudi Arabia 2026: What Gets Checked, How to Book, Fees and What to Do If Your Car Fails

Saudi Arabia: The mandatory annual vehicle inspection costs SAR 115 for a private car, and a valid certificate is required for istimara renewal.

Saudi Arabia's periodic vehicle inspection, known as Fahas, is the yearly check every private car over three years old must pass. The fee is set at SAR 115 including VAT, with re-inspections costing SAR 37.95. Failing to present a valid Fahas certificate can block your vehicle registration renewal and result in traffic fines from SAR 150 to SAR 300.

Quick read:

• Fahas costs SAR 115 for a private car; the first inspection is due three years after registration, then yearly.
• An appointment is mandatory and can be booked online via the SASO platform or the Vehicles Safety app.
• The check covers the car's exterior, undercarriage, lights, brakes, alignment, and exhaust emissions.
• If your car fails, you get two re-inspection chances within 14 working days for SAR 37.95 each.

The Inspection Process

The rules for private cars are clear. A new car needs its first Fahas three years after its initial registration, then it becomes a yearly requirement. A valid Fahas certificate, which lasts one year, is essential for renewing the vehicle registration (istimara). Without it, the renewal process on Absher will not proceed.

An appointment is mandatory. You cannot arrive at an inspection centre without one. Bookings are made online through the SASO periodic technical inspection platform or the official Vehicles Safety mobile app. On the day, you need your appointment confirmation, the owner’s ID, and the vehicle’s istimara. Payment at MVPI stations is by cash or bank card.

The inspection itself is a five-stage process. It starts with an external check of the body, lights, tyres, and seat belts. Next, an undercarriage inspection looks for rust, oil leaks, and the condition of the steering, suspension, and exhaust. The final three stages are automated tests for exhaust emissions, brake performance, and headlight alignment. Weak or uneven brakes show up clearly here.

A fail isn't final. You receive a report listing the failed items and have 14 working days to get them fixed. A re-inspection costs SAR 37.95 and covers only the items that failed previously. You get two chances at this price. After 14 days, you pay the full SAR 115 for a complete new inspection. The one point left unclear is whether a missing fire extinguisher or warning triangle, listed as a "caution" item for light vehicles, constitutes an automatic fail.

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