I agree with you. When I lived briefly in NJ they have a state run inspection so state facility you go to. Here in VA, there is a wide descrepency w/r to how the state inspection is handled shop to shop. Some use a fine toothed comb and will make money finding minor things that by the letter pass and some are v. lax and base it mainly on the customer relationship and how the vehicle looks. Have to be v. careful where you take your verhicles for inspection once you drive older vehicles.
Customer States (Dangerous Death Traps) | Just Rolled In
- Thread starter Mcbeem5
- Start date
Heck no on vehicle inspections.
Show me the real stats.
Show me the real stats.
dnewton3
Staff member
I would imagine that driving a vehicle without a proper inspection cert (in states that do require them) isn't really any different than states which have big issues with unlicensed/suspended drivers. Just because a state has a mandatory inspection doesn't mean they won't be driving around without one. I suspect it means they cannot renew their registration, but for those 11 preceding months, the owners just ignore it.
Exactly, show us the stats.
As I’ve mentioned it in another thread, the mechanics themselves are probably a greater danger with their shady and poor workmanship practices.
I love as much as I hate PA vehicle inspections.... Its just a nuisance for me personally. I can remember two occasions (I'm now 40 and have owned more vehicles than I can count, most of them 100k mi plus, some of them outright "safe junk") throughout my life of driving where an inspection mechanic actually found something that I could not or did not. One time it was a rear axle seal on a ZJ, the other was a rear wheel cylinder that was damp on a Pontiac Gran-Am. Neither would have caused me an immediate issue and I probably would have found them shortly after due to leaks.
What pisses me off (I consider it an entitlement mindset) is when people will spend money on wheels, halo housings (like the truck in the video, so they can run AliBaba junk HIDs), stereo systems, GOTTA HAVE CARPLAY!!!! Meanwhile their vehicle needs $500 worth of maintenance work for safety and an oil change...... Ugh
What pisses me off (I consider it an entitlement mindset) is when people will spend money on wheels, halo housings (like the truck in the video, so they can run AliBaba junk HIDs), stereo systems, GOTTA HAVE CARPLAY!!!! Meanwhile their vehicle needs $500 worth of maintenance work for safety and an oil change...... Ugh
The comment that ends most of these videos that is the most frightening when the condition of the car is absolutely dangerous to operate, is " customer declined all repairs and drove away ". Not so much here in Pennsylvania but in other states with no inspection where you may be sharing the road with one of these idiots, especially the ones with no brakes, rotted frames and suspension parts missing.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
For many years - have had numerous inspections at a tire store that does suspension work as well. I’m guessing they have rejected tires before - but zero of mine bcs I won’t put my family on worn tires …
There are two sides to this practice …
There are two sides to this practice …
In BC Canada where I live, inspection isn't required, except for commercial vehicles.
But they do random ride side checks, and will inspect your vehicle right there on the side of the hwy.
I've been driving by several times, and seen tow trucks there, hooking up vehicles.
But they do random ride side checks, and will inspect your vehicle right there on the side of the hwy.
I've been driving by several times, and seen tow trucks there, hooking up vehicles.
Agree- only way to get the unsafe cars off the road or repaired. The state inspector has no incentive to fail you for profit- its just a job
We should all be glad we aren't in Germany, Poland, or the UK. Inspections there are brutal...I bet a majority or cars in America would fail...
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Think DMV service….
I understand - lesser of two evils. I have dealt with state run smog checks.
Don't get me wrong - I am 100% against inspections. I think there a genuine waste of resources. Were better off spending limited resources somewhere else. But if the state wants to force me into one, then the state should be responsible for its officiating.
Luckily I live in South Carolina, where we all still know how to sharpen a pitchfork. For now at least - the ninnies arriveth.
Those videos where the new owner discovers the frame looks like it has been sitting in the ocean for 80 years have to be fake. There is no way someone wouldn't notice that. Not to mention if the frame is that corroded the myriad of things that probaby don't work, electrical shorts, idiot lights on, doors that don't close right, etc.
Come on, you're buying a car/truck whatever in the snow belt states. Crawl under it and take a look! Any state for that matter. Salt water and air do the same thing.
No inspections in Florida, run what you brung is the rule here.
Come on, you're buying a car/truck whatever in the snow belt states. Crawl under it and take a look! Any state for that matter. Salt water and air do the same thing.
No inspections in Florida, run what you brung is the rule here.
Don't be so sure they're fake. Back in the day when I was working at an independent repair shop, a woman pulled in stating that her car was acting funny. I had watched her driving down the street with the car shaking, and the distinct sound of driving on a flat tire that was in the process of being destroyed.
I just said you're driving on a flat tire as I pointed to it. She had no idea what was wrong, but to her credit she did know that something was not right. The wheel was damaged by that point, so I swapped on her spare tire for no charge, since I was on my lunch break. She and her husband became loyal customers after that.
Nice people, just clueless about cars. I later learned what they both did for living, and they were very accomplished in their respective fields. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people are just not car people.
Here in Central Pennsylvania they use that beet juice spray before storms, then all-out rock salt during plowing. Judging by the number of completely bald tires with cords/steel exposed i see in shopping center parking lots, I tend to find some truth in those videos. If you watch Eric O on the South Main Garage YouTube channel you'll get an idea what a good Technician with skills and ethics deals with in New York State which literally paves their roads with salt. Some drivers are completely ignorant about the condition of their vehicles, others just don't give a damm about their lives and safety or that of others. Some are unable or unwilling to properly maintain a vehicle.
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I read a UK based forum and their MOT (Ministry of Transportation) causes nightmares. As a result, used cars without MOT (expired inspection) are for sale REAL CHEAP compared to here.
Also: In cities, they have alternate side of the street parking. You have to move your car 1, 2 sometimes 3 times a week.
I firmly believe having to fire up your car regularly reveals faults (obviously no-start conditions) and gets folk to tend their cars.
