How much does a vehicle inspection cost in Chile in 2026: prices by region and station

A technical inspection for a car or pickup in Chile costs between CLP 11,400 and CLP 29,850 in 2026, depending on the station, according to the Ministry of Transport's list of inspection stations updated to August 2026. The median fee across the 134 stations that inspect cars is CLP 16,500 and the simple average, CLP 17,259. For trucks and buses, the price ranges from CLP 9,500 to CLP 44,850.

There is no single fee because each station's operator sets it under its concession contract with the state. That is why it pays to compare: in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, the same inspection costs from CLP 12,700 in Melipilla and Lampa to CLP 23,250 in Paine. This guide covers how much the vehicle inspection costs in each region, which month you are due based on your plate and the fine for driving without it.

How much the vehicle inspection costs by region

Source: Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, August 2026 list (accessed November 8, 2026); fees for cars, pickups and station wagons (TB1). Simple averages calculated by Vivarae News, not weighted by the number of vehicles each station handles.

The northern regions and Biobío are the most expensive on average: Arica y Parinacota (CLP 20,625), Biobío (CLP 20,271) and Tarapacá (CLP 20,250). At the other end, O'Higgins has the lowest average (CLP 12,806), followed by Coquimbo (CLP 14,350) and Los Ríos (CLP 14,525). The Metropolitan Region, with 31 stations, averages CLP 16,377.

The cheapest and most expensive vehicle inspection stations

Within a single region the differences can be large. In Biobío, the inspection costs CLP 12,600 at Revisiones Bío-Bío stations and CLP 29,850 at Systech's stations in Los Ángeles and San Pedro de la Paz, the highest fee in the country. The cheapest are in Temuco and Villarrica, where TÜV Rheinland charges CLP 11,400.

Source: Ministry of Transport, August 2026. In the table below you can look up the fee at each of the 134 stations that inspect cars, sort by price or filter by municipality:

How much the inspection costs for trucks and buses

Heavy vehicles pay considerably more. Across the 99 stations that inspect trucks and buses, the fee ranges from CLP 9,500 to CLP 44,850, with a median of CLP 24,950. Some stations only handle heavy vehicles, including several in the Metropolitan Region and Valparaíso, which is why they do not appear in the car ranking. Taxis have their own fee at each station, listed in the Ministry's list.

Source: Ministry of Transport, August 2026; medians calculated by Vivarae News. To save money, compare stations in your own and nearby municipalities, bring the vehicle in good condition to avoid a failed inspection and do not leave it to the last day of the month, when lines tend to form.

When your vehicle inspection is due by license plate

Private vehicles must be inspected once a year, in the month that matches the last digit of their license plate. Plates ending in 8 are due in November. February, March and December have no digit assigned, according to the schedule published by 24 Horas and BioBioChile.

Source: inspection schedule, according to 24 Horas. You can do it early; some stations also give priority to vehicles whose digit matches the month, according to the inspection stations' website. New cars have a different deadline for their first inspection.

Fine for an expired vehicle inspection

Driving with an expired inspection is a serious violation under the Traffic Law, with a fine of 1 to 1.5 UTM. At the November 2026 UTM of CLP 72,440, that is between CLP 72,440 and CLP 108,660. Without a valid inspection you also cannot pay the annual vehicle permit, according to En Cancha.

Sources: SII for the November 2026 UTM and the Ministry of Transport for fees. The lowest fine costs more than four times the median inspection.

What the vehicle inspection checks

The inspection checks the vehicle's safety condition and its exhaust emissions. If the vehicle fails, the owner must fix what was flagged and return to the station. Exact requirements and opening hours for each station are on the inspection stations' website. For other costs of owning a car, see how much a driver's license costs and gasoline prices by region.

Frequently asked questions

Between CLP 11,400 and CLP 29,850 for a car, depending on the station. The median fee is CLP 16,500, according to the Ministry of Transport's August 2026 list.

In the Metropolitan Region it ranges from CLP 12,700 (Melipilla and Lampa) to CLP 23,250 (Paine), with an average of CLP 16,377 across 31 stations.

Those ending in 8.

1 to 1.5 UTM: between CLP 72,440 and CLP 108,660 in November 2026.

In Temuco and Villarrica, where TÜV Rheinland charges CLP 11,400 for a car.