RIYADH, 3 February 2006 — It is a question that pops into the minds of many drivers: Are cars on the streets safe? The Motor Vehicle Periodic Inspection is supposed to guarantee the safety of cars on the road. A car registration card will not be renewed until the car has passed the MVPI. Nevertheless, many cars come to the MVPI in terrible condition and pass the test. People might think this is impossible, but, because of a simple trick, cheaters pass the MVPI test. As a result, our streets are even more dangerous than they should be.
The trick involves replacing parts (tires, head lamps, etc.) that might cause the car to fail the test, then, after the inspection, re-installing the faulty parts. This temporary fix can typically be done at garages located near the inspection center for a nominal fee. Many car dealers say that this dangerous behavior occurs everywhere and that MVPI officials are aware of it but cannot do anything to stop it.
Most shops offer car parts for rent. For example, some shops offer to rent good tires. The price for renting ranges between SR20 to SR50 per tire.
Drivers actually pay the full price for the parts, but after the inspection the driver can return to the mechanic shop and return the parts he took and can get a refund minus a rental fee.
Abdullah Abed blames the foreign work force for this dangerous problem, saying that they only care about making profit. (The problem is blamed on foreigners because few Saudis work as mechanics.) Abed, who works in the MVPI department, said that the MVPI department printed safety instruction and has distributed it to drivers.
“We want to tell the drivers that they are putting their lives and the lives of many other people in danger,” said Abed.
Abdul Kareim Al-Humaid, public relations manager at the MVPI department, said that he advises all drivers to stay away from cheating the MVPI because the biggest loser in this case are drivers on the road.
“One of the main reasons of inspection is to reduce the number of traffic accidents on the road.”
