diff --git a/validate/configure.ac b/validate/configure.ac
index 9acd38d63e..7bf1c9f846 100644
--- a/validate/configure.ac
+++ b/validate/configure.ac
@@ -214,14 +214,17 @@ AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(GST_LICENSE, "$GST_LICENSE", [GStreamer license])
 AC_SUBST(GST_LICENSE)
 
 dnl define location of plugin directory
-AS_AC_EXPAND(PLUGINDIR, ${libdir}/gstreamer-$GST_API_VERSION/validate)
-AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(PLUGINDIR, "$PLUGINDIR",
+AS_AC_EXPAND(VALIDATEPLUGINDIR, ${libdir}/gstreamer-$GST_API_VERSION/validate)
+AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(VALIDATEPLUGINDIR, "$VALIDATEPLUGINDIR",
 [directory where GstValidate plugins are located])
-AC_MSG_NOTICE([Using $PLUGINDIR as the plugin install location for GstValidate])
+AC_MSG_NOTICE([Using $VALIDATEPLUGINDIR as the plugin install location for GstValidate])
 
 dnl plugin directory configure-time variable for use in Makefile.am
-plugindir="\$(libdir)/gstreamer-$GST_API_VERSION/validate"
-AC_SUBST(plugindir)
+validateplugindir="\$(libdir)/gstreamer-$GST_API_VERSION/validate"
+AC_SUBST(validateplugindir)
+
+dnl set location of plugin directory
+AG_GST_SET_PLUGINDIR
 
 # set by AG_GST_PARSE_SUBSYSTEM_DISABLES above
 dnl make sure it doesn't complain about unused variables if debugging is disabled
@@ -317,7 +320,6 @@ data/Makefile
 data/scenarios/Makefile
 gst/Makefile
 gst/validate/Makefile
-gst/preload/Makefile
 gst/overrides/Makefile
 plugins/Makefile
 plugins/fault_injection/Makefile
diff --git a/validate/gst/Makefile.am b/validate/gst/Makefile.am
index 7e44971956..c5e508e5cd 100644
--- a/validate/gst/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/gst/Makefile.am
@@ -1,5 +1 @@
 SUBDIRS = validate overrides
-
-if HAVE_LD_PRELOAD
-SUBDIRS += preload
-endif
diff --git a/validate/gst/preload/Makefile.am b/validate/gst/preload/Makefile.am
deleted file mode 100644
index 66faee0986..0000000000
--- a/validate/gst/preload/Makefile.am
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES = \
-	gst-validate-monitor-preload.c
-
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_CFLAGS = $(GST_ALL_CFLAGS)
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LDFLAGS =  $(GST_LIB_LDFLAGS) $(GST_ALL_LDFLAGS) \
-	$(GST_LT_LDFLAGS) $(top_builddir)/gst/validate/libgstvalidate-1.0.la
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LIBADD =  \
-	$(GST_PLUGINS_BASE_LIBS) $(GST_BASE_LIBS) \
-	$(GST_ALL_LIBS)
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@includedir = $(includedir)/gstreamer-@GST_API_VERSION@/gst/validate
-libgstvalidate_preload_@GST_API_VERSION@include_HEADERS =
-
-lib_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidate_preload-@GST_API_VERSION@.la
-
-CLEANFILES =
diff --git a/validate/gst/preload/gst-validate-monitor-preload.c b/validate/gst/preload/gst-validate-monitor-preload.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 370a94e1b9..0000000000
--- a/validate/gst/preload/gst-validate-monitor-preload.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,164 +0,0 @@
-/* GStreamer
- *
- * Copyright (C) 2013 Collabora Ltd.
- *  Author: Thiago Sousa Santos <thiago.sousa.santos@collabora.com>
- *
- * gst-validate-monitor-preload.c - Validate Element monitors preload functions
- *
- * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
- * modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public
- * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
- * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
- * Library General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public
- * License along with this library; if not, write to the
- * Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
- * Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
- */
-
-#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
-#  include "config.h"
-#endif
-
-#include <gst/gst.h>
-#include <string.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include <gst/validate/validate.h>
-
-#define __USE_GNU
-#include <dlfcn.h>
-
-static GstValidateRunner *runner = NULL;
-
-static void
-exit_report_printer (void)
-{
-  if (runner)
-    gst_validate_runner_exit (runner, TRUE);
-}
-
-/*
- * Functions that wrap object creation so gst-validate can be used
- * to monitor 'standard' applications
- */
-
-static void
-gst_validate_preload_wrap (GstElement * element)
-{
-  if (runner == NULL) {
-    gst_validate_init ();
-    runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-    atexit (exit_report_printer);
-  }
-
-  /* the reference to the monitor is lost */
-  gst_validate_monitor_factory_create (GST_OBJECT_CAST (element), runner, NULL);
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_element_factory_make (const gchar * element_name, const gchar * name)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_element_factory_make_real) (const gchar *,
-      const gchar *) = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_element_factory_make_real)
-    gst_element_factory_make_real =
-        dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_element_factory_make");
-
-  element = gst_element_factory_make_real (element_name, name);
-
-  if (GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
-    gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  }
-  return element;
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_pipeline_new (const gchar * name)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_pipeline_new_real) (const gchar *) = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_pipeline_new_real)
-    gst_pipeline_new_real = dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_pipeline_new");
-
-  element = gst_pipeline_new_real (name);
-  gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  return element;
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_parse_launchv (const gchar ** argv, GError ** error)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_parse_launchv_real) (const gchar **, GError **) =
-      NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_parse_launchv_real)
-    gst_parse_launchv_real = dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_parse_launchv");
-
-  element = gst_parse_launchv_real (argv, error);
-  if (GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
-    gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  }
-  return element;
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_parse_launchv_full (const gchar ** argv, GstParseContext * context,
-    GstParseFlags flags, GError ** error)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_parse_launchv_full_real) (const gchar **,
-      GstParseContext *, GstParseFlags, GError **) = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_parse_launchv_full_real)
-    gst_parse_launchv_full_real = dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_parse_launchv_full");
-
-  element = gst_parse_launchv_full_real (argv, context, flags, error);
-  if (GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
-    gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  }
-  return element;
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_parse_launch (const gchar * pipeline_description, GError ** error)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_parse_launch_real) (const gchar *, GError **) = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_parse_launch_real)
-    gst_parse_launch_real = dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_parse_launch");
-
-  element = gst_parse_launch_real (pipeline_description, error);
-  if (GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
-    gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  }
-  return element;
-}
-
-GstElement *
-gst_parse_launch_full (const gchar * pipeline_description,
-    GstParseContext * context, GstParseFlags flags, GError ** error)
-{
-  static GstElement *(*gst_parse_launch_full_real) (const gchar *,
-      GstParseContext *, GstParseFlags, GError **) = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-
-  if (!gst_parse_launch_full_real)
-    gst_parse_launch_full_real = dlsym (RTLD_NEXT, "gst_parse_launch_full");
-
-  element =
-      gst_parse_launch_full_real (pipeline_description, context, flags, error);
-  if (GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
-    gst_validate_preload_wrap (element);
-  }
-  return element;
-}
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/Makefile.am b/validate/gst/validate/Makefile.am
index 84e601c60c..df29f1173f 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES = \
+source_c = \
 	gst-validate-runner.c \
 	gst-validate-reporter.c \
 	gst-validate-monitor.c \
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES = \
 	gst-validate-media-info.c \
     validate.c
 
-libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@include_HEADERS = \
+source_h = \
 	validate.h \
 	gst-validate-types.h \
 	gst-validate-bin-monitor.h \
@@ -45,9 +45,13 @@ noinst_HEADERS = 		\
 	gst-validate-i18n-lib.h \
 	gst-validate-internal.h
 
+# GstValidate library
 lib_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidate-@GST_API_VERSION@.la
+libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES = $(source_c)
+libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@include_HEADERS = $(source_h)
 libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_CFLAGS = $(GST_ALL_CFLAGS)\
-	$(GIO_CFLAGS) $(GST_PBUTILS_CFLAGS)
+	$(GIO_CFLAGS) $(GST_PBUTILS_CFLAGS) \
+	-DGST_USE_UNSTABLE_API
 libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LDFLAGS = $(GST_LIB_LDFLAGS) $(GST_ALL_LDFLAGS) \
 	$(GST_LT_LDFLAGS) $(GIO_LDFLAGS) $(GST_PBUTILS_LDFAGS)
 libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LIBADD = \
@@ -57,6 +61,20 @@ libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LIBADD = \
 
 libgstvalidate_@GST_API_VERSION@includedir = $(includedir)/gstreamer-@GST_API_VERSION@/gst/validate
 
+# GstValidate GStreamer plugin
+plugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidateplugin-@GST_API_VERSION@.la
+libgstvalidateplugin_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES = $(source_c)
+libgstvalidateplugin_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_CFLAGS = $(GST_ALL_CFLAGS)\
+	$(GIO_CFLAGS) $(GST_PBUTILS_CFLAGS) \
+	-DGST_USE_UNSTABLE_API \
+	-D__GST_VALIDATE_PLUGIN
+libgstvalidateplugin_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LDFLAGS = $(GST_LIB_LDFLAGS) $(GST_ALL_LDFLAGS) \
+	$(GST_LT_LDFLAGS) $(GIO_LDFLAGS) $(GST_PBUTILS_LDFAGS)
+libgstvalidateplugin_@GST_API_VERSION@_la_LIBADD = \
+	$(GST_PLUGINS_BASE_LIBS) $(GST_BASE_LIBS) \
+	$(GST_ALL_LIBS) $(GIO_LIBS) $(GST_PBUTILS_LIBS) \
+	$(GLIB_LIBS) $(LIBM)
+
 CLEANFILES =
 
 if HAVE_INTROSPECTION
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-internal.h b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-internal.h
index adabd21466..362c9399f1 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-internal.h
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-internal.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 
 #include <gst/gst.h>
 #include "gst-validate-scenario.h"
+#include "gst-validate-monitor.h"
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (gstvalidate_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gstvalidate_debug
@@ -43,6 +44,10 @@ void init_scenarios (void);
  * and this is done by the scenario itself now */
 GST_EXPORT gboolean _action_check_and_set_printed (GstValidateAction *action);
 GST_EXPORT gboolean gst_validate_action_is_subaction (GstValidateAction *action);
-void _priv_validate_override_registry_deinit (void);
+GST_EXPORT void _priv_validate_override_registry_deinit (void);
+
+G_GNUC_INTERNAL GstValidateMonitor * gst_validate_get_monitor (GObject *object);
+G_GNUC_INTERNAL void gst_validate_init_runner (void);
+G_GNUC_INTERNAL void gst_validate_deinit_runner (void);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-monitor.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-monitor.c
index 03e9c26b73..ddd115db47 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-monitor.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-monitor.c
@@ -411,3 +411,9 @@ gst_validate_monitor_set_media_descriptor (GstValidateMonitor * monitor,
   if (klass->set_media_descriptor)
     klass->set_media_descriptor (monitor, media_descriptor);
 }
+
+GstValidateMonitor *
+gst_validate_get_monitor (GObject * object)
+{
+  return GST_VALIDATE_MONITOR (g_object_get_data (object, "validate-monitor"));
+}
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
index e0af7724ce..90ba38d29f 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 /* GStreamer
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2013 Collabora Ltd.
+ * Copyright (C) 2013-2016 Collabora Ltd.
  *  Author: Thiago Sousa Santos <thiago.sousa.santos@collabora.com>
+ *  Author: Thibault Saunier <thibault.saunier@collabora.com>
  *
  * gst-validate-runner.c - Validate Runner class
  *
@@ -28,12 +29,22 @@
 #  include "config.h"
 #endif
 
+#include "validate.h"
 #include "gst-validate-internal.h"
 #include "gst-validate-report.h"
 #include "gst-validate-monitor-factory.h"
 #include "gst-validate-override-registry.h"
 #include "gst-validate-runner.h"
 
+static gboolean element_created = FALSE;
+
+/* We create a GstValidateRunner on _init ()
+ * so that we keep backward compatibility when
+ * the user create a Runner after creating the pipeline
+ * but the runner was actually already ready to be used.
+ */
+static GstValidateRunner *first_runner = NULL;
+
 /**
  * SECTION:gst-validate-runner
  * @short_description: Class that runs Gst Validate tests for a pipeline
@@ -68,6 +79,12 @@ struct _GstValidateRunnerPrivate
 
   /* A list of PatternLevel */
   GList *report_pattern_levels;
+
+  /* Whether the runner was create with GST_TRACERS=validate or not) */
+  gboolean user_created;
+
+  gchar *pipeline_names;
+  gchar **pipeline_names_strv;
 };
 
 /* Describes the reporting level to apply to a name pattern */
@@ -92,7 +109,7 @@ typedef struct _PatternLevel
   } G_STMT_END
 
 #define gst_validate_runner_parent_class parent_class
-G_DEFINE_TYPE (GstValidateRunner, gst_validate_runner, G_TYPE_OBJECT);
+G_DEFINE_TYPE (GstValidateRunner, gst_validate_runner, GST_TYPE_TRACER);
 
 /* signals */
 enum
@@ -103,7 +120,62 @@ enum
   LAST_SIGNAL
 };
 
-static guint _signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
+enum
+{
+  PROP_0,
+  PROP_PARAMS,
+  PROP_LAST
+};
+
+static GParamSpec *properties[PROP_LAST];
+
+static guint _signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { NULL, };
+
+static gboolean
+gst_validate_runner_should_monitor (GstValidateRunner * self,
+    GstElement * element)
+{
+  gint i;
+  GstValidateMonitor *monitor;
+
+  if (!GST_IS_PIPELINE (element)) {
+    return FALSE;
+  }
+
+  if (self->priv->user_created)
+    return FALSE;
+
+  if (!self->priv->pipeline_names_strv)
+    return TRUE;
+
+  monitor = gst_validate_get_monitor (G_OBJECT (element));
+
+  if (monitor) {
+    GST_ERROR_OBJECT (self, "Pipeline %" GST_PTR_FORMAT " is already"
+        " monitored by %" GST_PTR_FORMAT " using runner: %" GST_PTR_FORMAT
+        " NOT monitoring again.",
+        element, monitor,
+        gst_validate_reporter_get_runner (GST_VALIDATE_REPORTER (monitor)));
+  }
+
+  for (i = 0; self->priv->pipeline_names_strv[i]; i++) {
+    if (g_pattern_match_simple (self->priv->pipeline_names_strv[i],
+            GST_OBJECT_NAME (element)))
+      return TRUE;
+  }
+
+  return FALSE;
+}
+
+static void
+do_element_new (GstValidateRunner * self, guint64 ts, GstElement * element)
+{
+  element_created = TRUE;
+  if (gst_validate_runner_should_monitor (self, element)) {
+    /* the reference to the monitor is lost */
+    gst_validate_monitor_factory_create (GST_OBJECT_CAST (element), self, NULL);
+  }
+}
 
 static gboolean
 _parse_reporting_level (gchar * str, GstValidateReportingDetails * level)
@@ -233,21 +305,95 @@ _unref_report_list (gpointer unused, GList * reports, gpointer unused_too)
 }
 
 static void
-gst_validate_runner_dispose (GObject * object)
+gst_validate_runner_finalize (GObject * object)
 {
   GstValidateRunner *runner = GST_VALIDATE_RUNNER_CAST (object);
 
+  if (!runner->priv->user_created)
+    gst_validate_runner_exit (runner, TRUE);
+
   g_list_free_full (runner->priv->reports,
       (GDestroyNotify) gst_validate_report_unref);
+
   g_list_free_full (runner->priv->report_pattern_levels,
       (GDestroyNotify) _free_report_pattern_level);
 
   g_mutex_clear (&runner->priv->mutex);
 
+  g_free (runner->priv->pipeline_names);
+  g_strfreev (runner->priv->pipeline_names_strv);
+
   g_hash_table_foreach (runner->priv->reports_by_type, (GHFunc)
       _unref_report_list, NULL);
   g_hash_table_destroy (runner->priv->reports_by_type);
-  G_OBJECT_CLASS (parent_class)->dispose (object);
+
+  G_OBJECT_CLASS (parent_class)->finalize (object);
+
+  if (!runner->priv->user_created)
+    gst_validate_deinit ();
+}
+
+static GObject *
+gst_validate_runner_constructor (GType type, guint n_construct_params,
+    GObjectConstructParam * construct_params)
+{
+  GObject *runner = G_OBJECT_CLASS (parent_class)->constructor (type,
+      n_construct_params, construct_params);
+
+  if (!gst_validate_is_initialized ()) {
+    first_runner = GST_VALIDATE_RUNNER (runner);
+    gst_validate_init ();
+    first_runner = NULL;
+
+    return runner;
+  }
+
+  return runner;
+}
+
+
+static void
+gst_validate_runner_get_property (GObject * object, guint prop_id,
+    GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
+{
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
+
+  runner = GST_VALIDATE_RUNNER (object);
+  switch (prop_id) {
+    case PROP_PARAMS:
+    {
+      g_value_set_string (value, runner->priv->pipeline_names);
+      break;
+    }
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+  }
+}
+
+static void
+gst_validate_runner_set_property (GObject * object, guint prop_id,
+    const GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
+{
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
+
+  runner = GST_VALIDATE_RUNNER (object);
+  switch (prop_id) {
+    case PROP_PARAMS:
+    {
+      g_free (runner->priv->pipeline_names);
+      g_strfreev (runner->priv->pipeline_names_strv);
+
+      runner->priv->pipeline_names = g_value_dup_string (value);
+      if (runner->priv->pipeline_names)
+        runner->priv->pipeline_names_strv =
+            g_strsplit (runner->priv->pipeline_names, ",", -1);
+      break;
+    }
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+  }
 }
 
 static void
@@ -257,10 +403,20 @@ gst_validate_runner_class_init (GstValidateRunnerClass * klass)
 
   gobject_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gobject_class->dispose = gst_validate_runner_dispose;
+  gobject_class->finalize = gst_validate_runner_finalize;
+
+  gobject_class->set_property = gst_validate_runner_set_property;
+  gobject_class->get_property = gst_validate_runner_get_property;
+  gobject_class->constructor = gst_validate_runner_constructor;
 
   g_type_class_add_private (klass, sizeof (GstValidateRunnerPrivate));
 
+  properties[PROP_PARAMS] =
+      g_param_spec_string ("params", "Params", "Extra configuration parameters",
+      NULL, G_PARAM_READWRITE | G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT | G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
+
+  g_object_class_install_properties (gobject_class, PROP_LAST, properties);
+
   _signals[REPORT_ADDED_SIGNAL] =
       g_signal_new ("report-added", G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (klass),
       G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST, 0, NULL, NULL, NULL, G_TYPE_NONE, 1,
@@ -283,6 +439,9 @@ gst_validate_runner_init (GstValidateRunner * runner)
 
   runner->priv->default_level = GST_VALIDATE_SHOW_DEFAULT;
   _init_report_levels (runner);
+
+  gst_tracing_register_hook (GST_TRACER (runner), "element-new",
+      G_CALLBACK (do_element_new));
 }
 
 /**
@@ -295,7 +454,22 @@ gst_validate_runner_init (GstValidateRunner * runner)
 GstValidateRunner *
 gst_validate_runner_new (void)
 {
-  return g_object_new (GST_TYPE_VALIDATE_RUNNER, NULL);
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
+
+  if (first_runner) {
+    runner = first_runner;
+    first_runner = NULL;
+  } else if (element_created) {
+    g_error ("Should never create a GstValidateRunner after a GstElement"
+        "has been created in the same process.");
+
+    return NULL;
+  } else {
+    runner = g_object_new (GST_TYPE_VALIDATE_RUNNER, NULL);
+    runner->priv->user_created = TRUE;
+  }
+
+  return runner;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -537,3 +711,33 @@ gst_validate_runner_exit (GstValidateRunner * runner, gboolean print_result)
 
   return ret;
 }
+
+void
+gst_validate_init_runner (void)
+{
+  if (!first_runner) {
+    first_runner = g_object_new (GST_TYPE_VALIDATE_RUNNER, NULL);
+    first_runner->priv->user_created = TRUE;
+  }                             /* else the first runner has been created through the GST_TRACERS system */
+}
+
+void
+gst_validate_deinit_runner (void)
+{
+  g_clear_object (&first_runner);
+}
+
+#ifdef __GST_VALIDATE_PLUGIN
+static gboolean
+plugin_init (GstPlugin * plugin)
+{
+  if (!gst_tracer_register (plugin, "validate", GST_TYPE_VALIDATE_RUNNER))
+    return FALSE;
+
+  return TRUE;
+}
+
+GST_PLUGIN_DEFINE (GST_VERSION_MAJOR, GST_VERSION_MINOR, validatetracer,
+    "GStreamer Validate tracers", plugin_init, VERSION, GST_LICENSE,
+    GST_PACKAGE_NAME, GST_PACKAGE_ORIGIN);
+#endif /* __GST_VALIDATE_PLUGIN */
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.h b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.h
index 3c9b31d13f..3c6a5c8623 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.h
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.h
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 #include <glib-object.h>
 #include <gst/gst.h>
 
+#include <gst/gsttracer.h>
+
 typedef struct _GstValidateRunner GstValidateRunner;
 typedef struct _GstValidateRunnerClass GstValidateRunnerClass;
 
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ typedef struct _GstValidateRunnerPrivate GstValidateRunnerPrivate;
  * Class that manages a Validate test run for some pipeline
  */
 struct _GstValidateRunner {
-  GObject 	 object;
+  GstTracer 	 object;
 
   /* <private> */
   GstValidateRunnerPrivate *priv;
@@ -65,7 +67,7 @@ struct _GstValidateRunner {
  * GStreamer Validate Runner object class.
  */
 struct _GstValidateRunnerClass {
-  GObjectClass	parent_class;
+  GstTracerClass	parent_class;
 };
 
 /* normal GObject stuff */
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/validate.c b/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
index 726c43168d..0103a19ba5 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
@@ -261,6 +261,7 @@ gst_validate_init (void)
   validate_initialized = TRUE;
 
   gst_validate_init_plugins ();
+  gst_validate_init_runner ();
 }
 
 void
@@ -268,8 +269,9 @@ gst_validate_deinit (void)
 {
   g_mutex_lock (&_gst_validate_registry_mutex);
   _free_plugin_config (core_config);
-  gst_object_unref (_gst_validate_registry_default);
-  _gst_validate_registry_default = NULL;
+  gst_validate_deinit_runner ();
+
+  g_clear_object (&_gst_validate_registry_default);
 
   _priv_validate_override_registry_deinit ();
   core_config = NULL;
diff --git a/validate/plugins/fault_injection/Makefile.am b/validate/plugins/fault_injection/Makefile.am
index 3a181ffdc0..631ed24a16 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/fault_injection/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/plugins/fault_injection/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-plugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidatefaultinjection.la
+validateplugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidatefaultinjection.la
 
 libgstvalidatefaultinjection_la_SOURCES = \
 	socket_interposer.c
diff --git a/validate/plugins/gapplication/Makefile.am b/validate/plugins/gapplication/Makefile.am
index 20ce6a0c52..9baf9292e3 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/gapplication/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/plugins/gapplication/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-plugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidategapplication.la
+validateplugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidategapplication.la
 
 libgstvalidategapplication_la_SOURCES = \
 	gstvalidategapplication.c
diff --git a/validate/plugins/gtk/Makefile.am b/validate/plugins/gtk/Makefile.am
index f049a270b1..2d47a61db5 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/gtk/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/plugins/gtk/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-plugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidategtk.la
+validateplugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidategtk.la
 
 libgstvalidategtk_la_SOURCES = gstvalidategtk.c
 
diff --git a/validate/plugins/ssim/Makefile.am b/validate/plugins/ssim/Makefile.am
index 71618ce9d7..55a96811b6 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/ssim/Makefile.am
+++ b/validate/plugins/ssim/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-plugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidatessim.la
+validateplugin_LTLIBRARIES = libgstvalidatessim.la
 
 libgstvalidatessim_la_SOURCES = gstvalidatessim.c
 
diff --git a/validate/tests/check/validate/monitoring.c b/validate/tests/check/validate/monitoring.c
index 0bc6849a56..12cf8f4d13 100644
--- a/validate/tests/check/validate/monitoring.c
+++ b/validate/tests/check/validate/monitoring.c
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ GST_START_TEST (monitors_cleanup)
       g_object_get_data ((GObject *) src->srcpads->data, "validate-monitor");
   pmonitor2 =
       g_object_get_data ((GObject *) sink->sinkpads->data, "validate-monitor");
-  check_destroyed (monitor, pmonitor1, pmonitor2, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (pipeline, src, sink, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (monitor, pmonitor1, pmonitor2, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (pipeline, src, sink, NULL);
 }
 
 GST_END_TEST;
@@ -99,12 +99,9 @@ gst_validate_suite (void)
   TCase *tc_chain = tcase_create ("monitoring");
   suite_add_tcase (s, tc_chain);
 
-  gst_validate_init ();
-
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, monitors_added);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, monitors_cleanup);
 
-  gst_validate_deinit ();
   return s;
 }
 
diff --git a/validate/tests/check/validate/overrides.c b/validate/tests/check/validate/overrides.c
index 9683ddb3ff..d4467d30df 100644
--- a/validate/tests/check/validate/overrides.c
+++ b/validate/tests/check/validate/overrides.c
@@ -27,17 +27,16 @@ static const gchar *some_overrides =
     "change-severity, issue-id=buffer::not-expected-one, new-severity=warning, element-factory-name=queue";
 
 static void
-_check_message_level (const gchar * factoryname, GstValidateReportLevel level,
-    const gchar * message_id)
+_check_message_level (GstValidateRunner * runner,
+    gint previous_reports, const gchar * factoryname,
+    GstValidateReportLevel level, const gchar * message_id)
 {
   GList *reports;
   GstElement *element;
-  GstValidateRunner *runner;
   GstValidateMonitor *monitor;
 
   element = gst_element_factory_make (factoryname, NULL);
   fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "all", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
   monitor =
       gst_validate_monitor_factory_create (GST_OBJECT (element), runner, NULL);
 
@@ -45,8 +44,9 @@ _check_message_level (const gchar * factoryname, GstValidateReportLevel level,
       "Just some fakery");
 
   reports = gst_validate_runner_get_reports (runner);
-  fail_unless_equals_int (g_list_length (reports), 1);
-  fail_unless_equals_int (((GstValidateReport *) reports->data)->level, level);
+  fail_unless_equals_int (g_list_length (reports), previous_reports + 1);
+  fail_unless_equals_int (((GstValidateReport *) g_list_nth_data (reports,
+              previous_reports))->level, level);
   g_list_free_full (reports, (GDestroyNotify) gst_validate_report_unref);
   gst_object_unref (element);
   gst_object_unref (monitor);
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ _check_message_level (const gchar * factoryname, GstValidateReportLevel level,
 GST_START_TEST (check_text_overrides)
 {
   GstValidateIssue *issue;
+  GstValidateRunner *runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
   gchar *override_filename =
       g_strdup_printf ("%s%c%s", g_get_tmp_dir (), G_DIR_SEPARATOR,
       "some_overrides");
@@ -76,13 +77,13 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_text_overrides)
 
   /* Check that with a queue, the level of a
    * buffer::not-expected-one is WARNING */
-  _check_message_level ("queue", GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_LEVEL_WARNING,
+  _check_message_level (runner, 0, "queue", GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_LEVEL_WARNING,
       "buffer::not-expected-one");
 
   /* Check that with an identity, the level of a
    * buffer::not-expected-one is CRITICAL */
-  _check_message_level ("identity", GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_LEVEL_CRITICAL,
-      "buffer::not-expected-one");
+  _check_message_level (runner, 1, "identity",
+      GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_LEVEL_CRITICAL, "buffer::not-expected-one");
 
   g_remove (override_filename);
   g_free (override_filename);
@@ -98,11 +99,11 @@ gst_validate_suite (void)
   TCase *tc_chain = tcase_create ("registry");
   suite_add_tcase (s, tc_chain);
 
+  g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "all", TRUE);
   gst_validate_init ();
-
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, check_text_overrides);
-
   gst_validate_deinit ();
+
   return s;
 }
 
diff --git a/validate/tests/check/validate/padmonitor.c b/validate/tests/check/validate/padmonitor.c
index 19f12fb2b5..52134dd9c7 100644
--- a/validate/tests/check/validate/padmonitor.c
+++ b/validate/tests/check/validate/padmonitor.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ _stop_monitoring_bin (GstBin * bin, GstValidateRunner * runner)
   gst_object_unref (bin);
   ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (monitor, "monitor", 1);
   gst_object_unref (monitor);
-  ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (runner, "runner", 1);
+  ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (runner, "runner", 2);
   gst_object_unref (runner);
 }
 
@@ -144,9 +144,10 @@ GST_START_TEST (buffer_before_segment)
 
   _check_reports_refcount (srcpad, 2);
   gst_object_unref (srcpad);
-  check_destroyed (src, srcpad, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (sink, NULL, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (runner, NULL, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (src, srcpad, NULL);
+  gst_check_object_destroyed_on_unref (sink);
+  ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (runner, "runner", 2);
+  gst_object_unref (runner);
 }
 
 GST_END_TEST;
@@ -338,34 +339,26 @@ _test_flow_aggregation (GstFlowReturn flow, GstFlowReturn flow1,
   gst_object_unref (demuxer);
   ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (pmonitor, "plop", 1);
   gst_object_unref (pmonitor);
+
 }
 
-GST_START_TEST (flow_aggregation)
-{
-  /* Check the GstFlowCombiner to find the rules */
+#define FLOW_TEST(name, flow1, flow2, flow3, demux_flow, fails) \
+GST_START_TEST(flow_aggregation_##name) { \
+  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_##flow1, GST_FLOW_##flow2, \
+      GST_FLOW_##flow3, GST_FLOW_##demux_flow, fails); \
+} GST_END_TEST
 
-  /* Failling cases: */
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_OK,
-      GST_FLOW_ERROR, GST_FLOW_OK, TRUE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_EOS, GST_FLOW_EOS,
-      GST_FLOW_EOS, GST_FLOW_OK, TRUE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_FLUSHING, GST_FLOW_OK,
-      GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_OK, TRUE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_NOT_NEGOTIATED, GST_FLOW_OK,
-      GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_OK, TRUE);
-
-  /* Passing cases: */
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_EOS, GST_FLOW_EOS,
-      GST_FLOW_EOS, GST_FLOW_EOS, FALSE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_EOS, GST_FLOW_EOS,
-      GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_OK, FALSE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_OK,
-      GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_EOS, FALSE);
-  _test_flow_aggregation (GST_FLOW_NOT_NEGOTIATED, GST_FLOW_OK,
-      GST_FLOW_OK, GST_FLOW_NOT_NEGOTIATED, FALSE);
-}
-
-GST_END_TEST;
+FLOW_TEST (ok_ok_error_ok, OK, OK, ERROR, OK, TRUE);
+FLOW_TEST (eos_eos_eos_ok, EOS, EOS, EOS, OK, TRUE);
+FLOW_TEST (flushing_ok_ok_ok, FLUSHING, OK, OK, OK, TRUE);
+FLOW_TEST (not_neg_ok_ok_ok, NOT_NEGOTIATED, OK, OK, OK, TRUE);
+/*[> Passing cases: <]*/
+FLOW_TEST (eos_eos_eos_eos, EOS, EOS, EOS, EOS, FALSE);
+FLOW_TEST (eos_eos_ok_ok, EOS, EOS, OK, OK, FALSE);
+FLOW_TEST (ok_ok_ok_eos, OK, OK, OK, EOS, FALSE);
+FLOW_TEST (not_neg_ok_ok_not_neg, NOT_NEGOTIATED, OK, OK, NOT_NEGOTIATED,
+    FALSE);
+#undef FLOW_TEST
 
 GST_START_TEST (issue_concatenation)
 {
@@ -492,11 +485,13 @@ GST_START_TEST (issue_concatenation)
   gst_object_unref (sinkpad);
   gst_object_unref (fakemixer_sink1);
   gst_object_unref (fakemixer_sink2);
-  check_destroyed (fakemixer, fakemixer_sink1, fakemixer_sink2, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (src1, srcpad1, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (src2, srcpad2, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (sink, sinkpad, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (runner, NULL, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (fakemixer, fakemixer_sink1,
+      fakemixer_sink2, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (src1, srcpad1, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (src2, srcpad2, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (sink, sinkpad, NULL);
+  ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (runner, "runner", 2);
+  gst_object_unref (runner);
 }
 
 GST_END_TEST;
@@ -629,18 +624,25 @@ _check_media_info (GstSegment * segment, BufferDesc * bufs)
       GST_STATE_CHANGE_SUCCESS);
 
   gst_object_unref (srcpad);
-  check_destroyed (decoder, sinkpad, NULL);
-  check_destroyed (runner, NULL, NULL);
+  gst_check_objects_destroyed_on_unref (decoder, sinkpad, NULL);
+  ASSERT_OBJECT_REFCOUNT (runner, "runner", 2);
+  gst_object_unref (runner);
 }
 
-GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
-{
-  GstSegment segment;
-
+#define MEDIA_INFO_TEST(name,segment_start,bufs) \
+GST_START_TEST(media_info_##name) { \
+  if (segment_start >= 0) { \
+    GstSegment segment; \
+    gst_segment_init (&segment, GST_FORMAT_TIME); \
+    segment.start = segment_start; \
+     _check_media_info (&segment, (bufs)); \
+  } else \
+     _check_media_info (NULL, (bufs)); \
+} GST_END_TEST
 
 /* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  _check_media_info (NULL,
-      (BufferDesc []) {
+MEDIA_INFO_TEST (1, -1,
+      ((BufferDesc []) {
       {
         .content = "buffer1",
         .pts = 0,
@@ -674,16 +676,11 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
         .num_issues = 1
       },
       { NULL}
-    });
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
+    }));
 
-  gst_segment_init (&segment, GST_FORMAT_TIME);
-  /* Segment start is 2, the first buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
-  segment.start = 2;
-
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  _check_media_info (&segment,
-      (BufferDesc []) {
+/* Segment start is 2, the first buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
+MEDIA_INFO_TEST (2, 2,
+      ((BufferDesc []) {
       {
         .content = "buffer2", /* Wrong checksum */
         .pts = 0,
@@ -693,16 +690,11 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
         .num_issues = 1
       },
       { NULL}
-    });
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
+    }));
 
-  gst_segment_init (&segment, GST_FORMAT_TIME);
-  /* Segment start is 2, the first buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
-  segment.start = 2;
-
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  _check_media_info (&segment,
-      (BufferDesc []) {
+/* Segment start is 2, the first buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
+MEDIA_INFO_TEST (3, 2,
+      ((BufferDesc []) {
       { /*  The right first buffer */
         .content = "buffer1",
         .pts = 0,
@@ -712,16 +704,11 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
         .num_issues = 0
       },
       { NULL}
-    });
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
+    }));
 
-  gst_segment_init (&segment, GST_FORMAT_TIME);
-  /* Segment start is 6, the 4th buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
-  segment.start = 6;
-
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  _check_media_info (&segment,
-      (BufferDesc []) {
+/* Segment start is 6, the 4th buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
+MEDIA_INFO_TEST (4, 6,
+      ((BufferDesc []) {
       { /*  The right fourth buffer */
         .content = "buffer4",
         .pts = 4,
@@ -731,16 +718,11 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
         .num_issues = 0
       },
       { NULL}
-    });
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
+    }));
 
-  gst_segment_init (&segment, GST_FORMAT_TIME);
-  /* Segment start is 6, the 4th buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
-  segment.start = 6;
-
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  _check_media_info (&segment,
-      (BufferDesc []) {
+/* Segment start is 6, the 4th buffer is expected (first Keyframe) */
+MEDIA_INFO_TEST (5, 6,
+      ((BufferDesc []) {
       { /*  The sixth buffer... all wrong! */
         .content = "buffer6",
         .pts = 6,
@@ -750,11 +732,8 @@ GST_START_TEST (check_media_info)
         .num_issues = 1
       },
       { NULL}
-    });
+    }));
 /* *INDENT-ON* */
-}
-
-GST_END_TEST;
 
 GST_START_TEST (caps_events)
 {
@@ -1046,21 +1025,33 @@ gst_validate_suite (void)
   TCase *tc_chain = tcase_create ("padmonitor");
   suite_add_tcase (s, tc_chain);
 
-  gst_validate_init ();
   fake_elements_register ();
 
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, buffer_before_segment);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, buffer_outside_segment);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, buffer_timestamp_out_of_received_range);
-  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation);
+
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, media_info_1);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, media_info_2);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, media_info_3);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, media_info_4);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, media_info_5);
+
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_ok_ok_error_ok);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_eos_eos_eos_ok);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_flushing_ok_ok_ok);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_not_neg_ok_ok_ok);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_eos_eos_eos_eos);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_eos_eos_ok_ok);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_ok_ok_ok_eos);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_aggregation_not_neg_ok_ok_not_neg);
+
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, issue_concatenation);
-  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, check_media_info);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, eos_without_segment);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, caps_events);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_error_without_message);
   tcase_add_test (tc_chain, flow_error_with_message);
 
-  gst_validate_deinit ();
   return s;
 }
 
diff --git a/validate/tests/check/validate/reporting.c b/validate/tests/check/validate/reporting.c
index ca7a92b0ab..7f1b69bd9d 100644
--- a/validate/tests/check/validate/reporting.c
+++ b/validate/tests/check/validate/reporting.c
@@ -21,14 +21,9 @@
 #include <gst/check/gstcheck.h>
 #include "test-utils.h"
 
-GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels)
+GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels_all)
 {
   GstValidateRunner *runner;
-  GstObject *pipeline;
-  GError *error = NULL;
-  GstElement *element;
-  GstValidateMonitor *monitor, *pipeline_monitor;
-  GstPad *pad;
 
   /* FIXME: for now the only interface to set the reporting level is through an
    * environment variable parsed at the time of the runner initialization,
@@ -42,6 +37,14 @@ GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels)
   fail_unless (gst_validate_runner_get_default_reporting_level (runner) ==
       GST_VALIDATE_SHOW_ALL);
   g_object_unref (runner);
+}
+
+GST_END_TEST;
+
+
+GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels_2)
+{
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
 
   /* Try to set the default reporting level to subchain, the code is supposed to
    * parse numbers as well */
@@ -50,6 +53,13 @@ GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels)
   fail_unless (gst_validate_runner_get_default_reporting_level (runner) ==
       GST_VALIDATE_SHOW_SYNTHETIC);
   g_object_unref (runner);
+}
+
+GST_END_TEST;
+
+GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels_complex_parsing)
+{
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
 
   /* Try to set the reporting level for an object */
   fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS",
@@ -63,6 +73,18 @@ GST_START_TEST (test_report_levels)
           "dummy_test_object") == GST_VALIDATE_SHOW_UNKNOWN);
 
   g_object_unref (runner);
+}
+
+GST_END_TEST;
+
+GST_START_TEST (test_complex_reporting_details)
+{
+  GstPad *pad;
+  GstObject *pipeline;
+  GstElement *element;
+  GError *error = NULL;
+  GstValidateMonitor *monitor, *pipeline_monitor;
+  GstValidateRunner *runner;
 
   /* Now let's try to see if the created monitors actually understand the
    * situation they've put themselves into */
@@ -190,92 +212,40 @@ _create_issues (GstValidateRunner * runner)
   check_destroyed (sink, sinkpad, NULL);
 }
 
-GST_START_TEST (test_global_levels)
-{
-  GstValidateRunner *runner;
+#define TEST_LEVELS(name, details, num_issues) \
+GST_START_TEST (test_global_level_##name) { \
+  GstValidateRunner *runner; \
+  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", details, TRUE)); \
+  runner = gst_validate_runner_new (); \
+  _create_issues (runner); \
+  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), num_issues); \
+  g_object_unref (runner); \
+} GST_END_TEST
 
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "none", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* None shall pass */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 0);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
+TEST_LEVELS (none, "none", 0);
+TEST_LEVELS (synthetic, "synthetic", 1);
+TEST_LEVELS (monitor, "monitor", 6);
+TEST_LEVELS (all, "all", 8);
+TEST_LEVELS (none_fakesink_synthetic, "none,fakesrc1:synthetic", 1);
+/* 5 issues because all pads will report their own issues separately, except
+* for the sink which will not report an issue */
+TEST_LEVELS (monitor_sink_none, "monitor,sink:none", 5);
+/* 3 issues because both fake sources will have subsequent subchains of
+* issues, and the sink will report its issue separately */
+TEST_LEVELS (subchain_sink_monitor, "subchain,sink:monitor", 3);
 
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "synthetic", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* Two reports of the same type */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 1);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
+/* 4 issues because the fakemixer sink issues will be concatenated with the
+* fakesrc issues, the fakemixer src will report its issue separately, and the
+* sink will not find a report immediately upstream */
+TEST_LEVELS
+    (synthetic_fakesrc1_subchain_fakesrc2_subchain_fakemixer_src_monitor,
+    "synthetic,fakesrc1:subchain,fakesrc2:subchain,fakemixer*::src*:monitor",
+    4);
 
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "monitor", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* One report for each pad monitor */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 6);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
+/* 2 issues repeated on the fakesink's sink */
+TEST_LEVELS (none_fakesink_all, "none,fakesink*:all", 2);
 
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "all", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* One report for each pad monitor, plus one for fakemixer src and fakesink sink */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 8);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-}
-
-GST_END_TEST;
-
-GST_START_TEST (test_specific_levels)
-{
-  GstValidateRunner *runner;
-
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS",
-          "none,fakesrc1:synthetic", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* One issue should go through the none filter */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 1);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "monitor,sink:none",
-          TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* 5 issues because all pads will report their own issues separately, except
-   * for the sink which will not report an issue */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 5);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS",
-          "subchain,sink:monitor", TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* 3 issues because both fake sources will have subsequent subchains of
-   * issues, and the sink will report its issue separately */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 3);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS",
-          "synthetic,fakesrc1:subchain,fakesrc2:subchain,fakemixer*::src*:monitor",
-          TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* 4 issues because the fakemixer sink issues will be concatenated with the
-   * fakesrc issues, the fakemixer src will report its issue separately, and the
-   * sink will not find a report immediately upstream */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 4);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-
-  fail_unless (g_setenv ("GST_VALIDATE_REPORTING_DETAILS", "none,fakesink*:all",
-          TRUE));
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  _create_issues (runner);
-  /* 2 issues repeated on the fakesink's sink */
-  fail_unless_equals_int (gst_validate_runner_get_reports_count (runner), 2);
-  g_object_unref (runner);
-}
-
-GST_END_TEST;
+#undef TEST_LEVELS
 
 static Suite *
 gst_validate_suite (void)
@@ -284,14 +254,24 @@ gst_validate_suite (void)
   TCase *tc_chain = tcase_create ("reporting");
   suite_add_tcase (s, tc_chain);
 
-  gst_validate_init ();
   fake_elements_register ();
 
-  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_report_levels);
-  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_levels);
-  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_specific_levels);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_report_levels_all);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_report_levels_2);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_report_levels_complex_parsing);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_complex_reporting_details);
+
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_none);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_synthetic);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_monitor);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_all);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_none_fakesink_synthetic);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_monitor_sink_none);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_subchain_sink_monitor);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain,
+      test_global_level_synthetic_fakesrc1_subchain_fakesrc2_subchain_fakemixer_src_monitor);
+  tcase_add_test (tc_chain, test_global_level_none_fakesink_all);
 
-  gst_validate_deinit ();
   return s;
 }
 
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
index fd8c5f93da..d0d2bc78be 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
@@ -925,6 +925,7 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   }
 
   /* Create the pipeline */
+  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
   create_transcoding_pipeline (argv[1], argv[2]);
 
 #ifdef G_OS_UNIX
@@ -932,7 +933,6 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
       g_unix_signal_add (SIGINT, (GSourceFunc) intr_handler, pipeline);
 #endif
 
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
   monitor =
       gst_validate_monitor_factory_create (GST_OBJECT_CAST (pipeline), runner,
       NULL);
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
index 8a76937091..bff03fc79f 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
@@ -537,6 +537,12 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
 
   g_option_context_free (ctx);
 
+  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
+  if (!runner) {
+    g_printerr ("Failed to setup Validate Runner\n");
+    exit (1);
+  }
+
   /* Create the pipeline */
   argvn = g_new0 (char *, argc);
   memcpy (argvn, argv + 1, sizeof (char *) * (argc - 1));
@@ -546,6 +552,8 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
     g_print ("Failed to create pipeline: %s\n",
         err ? err->message : "unknown reason");
     g_clear_error (&err);
+    g_object_unref (runner);
+
     exit (1);
   }
   if (!GST_IS_PIPELINE (pipeline)) {
@@ -565,12 +573,6 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
     _register_playbin_actions ();
   }
 
-  runner = gst_validate_runner_new ();
-  if (!runner) {
-    g_printerr ("Failed to setup Validate Runner\n");
-    exit (1);
-  }
-
   monitor = gst_validate_monitor_factory_create (GST_OBJECT_CAST (pipeline),
       runner, NULL);
   gst_validate_reporter_set_handle_g_logs (GST_VALIDATE_REPORTER (monitor));