What Is a Subaru Multi-Point Inspection?

A Subaru multi-point inspection will give you a big picture look at the health of your vehicle, and is a great way to prevent long term (and expensive) damage.
Written by Natalie Todoroff
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you drive a Subru, it’s recommended that you take your vehicle into the dealership or schedule service at a Subaru express service center once a year for a multipoint inspection. A multi-point inspection gives you a solid grasp on your vehicle’s overall health, and can help prevent costly repairs later on.  
It’s no secret that car technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent history. And while these advancements make for safer and more comfortable vehicles, they also have made engines and other car systems a lot more complicated. Let’s put it like this: the tiniest of gaskets that you’ve never heard of can break and leave you stranded. 
That’s where multi-point inspections come in—these regular checkups, so to speak, give you peace of mind that your car is ship-shape.
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What’s included in a Subaru multi-point inspection?

To put it simply, a Subaru multi-point inspection is like taking your car in for a routine checkup. During this kind of service visit, your Subaru technician will inspect your vehicle’s major systems and parts to make sure they are up to factory standards. In general, a Subaru multi-point inspection includes inspections of the following: 
  • Seat belts. In the event of an accident, you’ll be thanking yourself for having them checked out by an expert! 
  • Battery. Your Subaru-certified technician will test and see how much charge your battery has, and recommend whether or not it needs replacing. 
  • Cabin air filter and engine air filter. These filters see more than their fair share of dirt and debris, so they will need regular replacement. 
  • Fluid levels. This typically includes transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. 
  • Engine oil level. They will check the engine oil levels to determine if it’s time for an oil change.
  • Horn. You need your horn to communicate with other drivers on the road!
  • Windshield. Cracks, chips, or other dings and nicks can spell disaster if left unchecked for too long. 
  • Wiper blades. A faulty wiper blade can leave giant streaks behind, which can seriously impact visibility and lead to dangerous driving
  • Coolant level. With unbalanced coolant levels, your engine can overheat.
  • Steering system.
  • Suspension system. Your mechanic will pay special attention to the struts and shocks. 
  • Belts and hoses. Serpentine belts, fuel hose, etc. 
  • Drive axle, transmission, and engine
  • Exhaust system
  • Braking system. This includes your brake pads and brake rotors.  
  • Interior and exterior lights. These include the headlights, tail lights, turn signals, cabin lights, etc. 
  • Tires. A mechanic will check the tire tread depth, and tire pressure, to see if you need a tire rotation. 
The inspection process should take between 10 and 45 minutes. Afterward, you’ll be presented with an inspection form that details the condition of some of your Subaru’s key systems. 
For this, many Subaru dealerships and service centers opt for the stoplight system: red means that the part needs immediate repair, yellow means it needs to be monitored or is prone to break, and green means it’s working as it should. 

How often to get a Subaru multi-point inspection 

There’s no wrong time for a multi-point inspection. If, for example, you notice that your Outback isn’t driving as well as it used to but can’t pinpoint exactly what the issue is, scheduling a multi-point inspection is a great idea. A mechanic will give you the big picture of what’s going on inside your car and help you chart a car repair course. 
But, even if your car drives just as well as the day you drove it off the Subaru dealership, it’s still recommended that you take it in for a multi-point inspection once a year. Or, if you have a Subaru with a newer model year, you can get away with taking it in every other year
Something, though, you may want to bring your Subaru in for a multi-point inspection a little ahead of schedule. If you have a
cross-country road trip
in the books (or any kind of lengthy road trip, really), it’s wise to get your car checked out ahead of time to ensure it can handle the journey. 
If you intend to sell your Subaru, the buyer may also request a multi-point inspection before the point of sale. That way, everyone has a little added assurance that there won’t be any nasty surprises once the ink has dried on the signing paperwork. 
Depending on where you live, your state may require annual or biannual state inspections. Unlike multi-point inspections, these state inspections are primarily emissions testing that check and see if your vehicle is in compliance with local emissions laws and regulations. 
While many Subaru express service centers also offer state inspections, they are not the same thing as multi-point inspections–-so be sure not to use them interchangeably. 
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Costs and benefits of a Subaru multi-point inspection 

For your yearly Subaru multi-point inspection, we’d recommend that you take your car into your local dealership or Subaru express service center. Most of the time, they offer complimentary multi-point inspections
Not only is a multi-point inspection at an authorized Subaru typically free, but you know that they’ll be using genuine Subaru parts to complete any necessary repairs. This is especially helpful if a part that’s still under warranty breaks down, as OEM parts are normally covered under the warranty policy. 
Keep in mind that while the multi-point inspection itself may be free, that does not mean the repairs will be. If you take your Subaru in and discover that your engine oil levels are low, you will still need to shoulder the
cost of an oil change
.  
By taking your Subaru in for a yearly checkup, you can help nip any costly repairs in the bud. When left unchecked, a minor repair can fester into something more extensive and costly to fix. Having a professional examine your Subaru once a year can work wonders in terms of lowering your vehicle’s long-term expenses. 

Find the best Subaru car insurance 

Regular multi-point inspections are an excellent way to ensure that there aren’t problems lurking beneath the surface. 
At
Jerry
, we’re big believers in regularly checking in on things—which is why when you shop for your
car insurance
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trustworthy super app
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Jerry uses the power of comparison shopping to find you the best customized quotes to help lower your
Subaru car insurance costs
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On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year when they shop with the app! 
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