Ensuring the technical reliability of vehicles through periodic inspections is one of the key elements of road safety policy. However, discrepancies between inspection results and the actual condition of vehicles raise concerns about the effectiveness of current diagnostic practices. This study evaluates the technical condition of passenger cars operating in western Poland, based on data from over one thousand periodic inspections conducted between 2024 and 2025. Statistical analyses were performed to identify relationships between vehicle age, mileage, and defects such as suspension looseness, corrosion, oil leakage, and lighting adjustment. In addition, a detailed technical assessment was carried out on a Volkswagen Golf V 1.4 TSI that had obtained a valid inspection certificate. Despite compliance with formal requirements, the vehicle exhibited severe mechanical faults, including worn timing components and incorrect chassis geometry. The results demonstrate that vehicles often pass inspections despite having defects that can compromise road safety. The findings underline the need to improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance inspector training, and ensure the use of standardized repair procedures. Strengthening inspection quality control would contribute to increased traffic safety and more reliable assessment of vehicle technical condition.