diff --git a/qcodes/instrument/base.py b/qcodes/instrument/base.py
index cb3ca105dfab..e049d384097a 100644
--- a/qcodes/instrument/base.py
+++ b/qcodes/instrument/base.py
@@ -628,3 +628,12 @@ def __getstate__(self):
             'were trying to use a local instrument (defined with '
             'server_name=None) in a background Loop. Local instruments can '
             'only be used in Loops with background=False.')
+
+    def validate_status(self, verbose=0):
+        """ Validate the values of all gettable parameters """
+        for k, p in self.parameters.items():
+            if p.has_get and p.has_set:
+                value = p.get()
+                if verbose:
+                    print('validate_status: param %s: %s' % (k, value))
+                p.validate(value)
diff --git a/qcodes/tests/test_instrument.py b/qcodes/tests/test_instrument.py
index 500330743209..60b0fa3a9c62 100644
--- a/qcodes/tests/test_instrument.py
+++ b/qcodes/tests/test_instrument.py
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ def setUpClass(cls):
 
         cls.gates = MockGates(model=cls.model, server_name='')
         cls.source = MockSource(model=cls.model, server_name='')
-        cls.meter = MockMeter(model=cls.model, keep_history=False, server_name='')
+        cls.meter = MockMeter(
+            model=cls.model, keep_history=False, server_name='')
 
     def setUp(self):
         # reset the model state via the gates function
@@ -963,6 +964,14 @@ def tearDown(self):
         # TODO (giulioungaretti) remove ( does nothing ?)
         pass
 
+    def test_validate_function(self):
+        instrument = self.instrument
+        instrument.validate_status()  # test the instrument has valid values
+
+        instrument.dac1._save_val(1000)  # overrule the validator
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            instrument.validate_status()
+
     def test_attr_access(self):
         instrument = self.instrument
 
@@ -975,7 +984,7 @@ def test_attr_access(self):
         instrument.close()
 
         # make sure we can still print the instrument
-        s = instrument.__repr__()
+        _ = instrument.__repr__()
 
         # make sure the gate is removed
         self.assertEqual(hasattr(instrument, 'dac1'), False)