What is disclosed is a system for non-contact, video-based determination of vehicle component failure due to overheating. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, at least one infrared camera is used to capture an infrared image of a component of a vehicle to be inspected for overheating. The images are processed to isolate that component. A temperature is estimated for the isolated component in the image using a camera calibration curve which relates pixel intensities to temperature. A temperature threshold for the isolated component is retrieved from a database based upon a classification of the vehicle. The estimated temperature is then compared to that component's temperature threshold. If the estimated temperature is above the retrieved threshold, a signal is initiated. The teachings hereof find their uses in a variety of remote and non-cooperative vehicle inspection modes in the field of transportation safety. Various embodiments are disclosed.