Dreaded Annual Inspection

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

maverickfhs

Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
2,869
Location
MURICA
So got my car annual safety inspection done today. Wasn't aware of any known or visible issues and thankfully passed. Am I the only one who dreads it? Because it all depends on the mood of the inspector and sometimes they just come up with really random/crazy/minor stuff. Also, I think VA/PA and probably NC inspections are fairly strict. Have any similar story to share? smile
 
Not since I moved to VA. I found a gas station where they do them in 5 minutes, don't open the hood, and don't even take a wheel off. Just turn on the lights and pass you.
 
Originally Posted By: TinyVoices
Not since I moved to VA. I found a gas station where they do them in 5 minutes, don't open the hood, and don't even take a wheel off. Just turn on the lights and pass you.
I'll PM you smile I hate this, because sometimes they remove the wheel and then put it back with gun and no torque wrench, removing that wheel is a pain! Also, I don't trust them touching the vehicle, but I have no choice. I don't mind if they do in front of me, but usually in winter they keep garage door down! During summer, it's fine smile
 
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I wish they did annual inspections in Ohio to get some of the junk fixed or off the road.
Believe it or not, you still see many of them around here too...
 
One Month before my Inspection, I check every thing over. Now, (to keep the Police from pulling me over),,, every 3 Months I check any visual items that would catch their eye. * Directionals * Brake Lights * Backup Lights * License Plate Lights I get my vehicle Inspected at an Indy Shop so that if it failed Inspection, one option is to let them fix it. In 15 years, I only needed a Brake Light replaced during inspection.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: MasterSolenoid
One Month before my Inspection, I check every thing over. Now, (to keep the Police from pulling me over),,, every 3 Months I check any visual items that would catch their eye. * Directionals * Brake Lights * Backup Lights * License Plate Lights I get my vehicle Inspected at an Indy Shop so that if it failed Inspection, one option is to let them fix it. In 15 years, I only needed a Brake Light replaced during inspection.
Yes, I did check all lights and everything 2 times before going for it. Also, ensured everything visible is working good.
 
Because of California's special official status starting in 2018, we're going to see more rolling wrecks on our potholed roads.
 
Yeah, I don't like paying for it but then I remember that it keeps dangerous vehicles off the road.. Inspectors in Germany were the worst, they failed my brand new car. The inspector said my tie rod was bad. When I went back to the dealership, the head mechanic looked at me puzzled. Then he asked, "Who inspected your car? I will have a word with them." I responded with the guys name. The mechanic said, "Oh him.. He fails everyone the first time they see him." I had my brand new tie rod replaced. Mechanic checked it and said it was perfect.. He had to replace it anyway.. Came back to the inspector the next day. He didn't even check it and signed me off.. ..Germans smirk ..
 
No annual inspections here either. I wonder what the efficacy is of mandated annual inspections, surely there is a tax funded study out there... Edit, Found one! http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILE...fectiveness.pdf
Quote:
5.1 PROJECT FINDINGS Based on the analysis presented in the preceding sections, it is confirmed that Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program is an effective program that reduces fatal crashes and saves lives in Pennsylvania. Although not addressed through the available data, this benefit would also extend to a reduction in all crashes which could be attributed to vehicle failure, and thereby a reduction in serious injuries and property damage resulting from vehicle crashes. The specific benefit to the citizens of Pennsylvania varies depending on the specific model selected from Section 4.2. But, revisiting the hypotheses in Section 4.1, we can make the following assertions: Nationally, vehicle safety inspection programs appear to be a significant factor in lowering fatal crashes; Based on the model results, Pennsylvania can be expected to have between 115 and 169 fewer fatal crashes each year, corresponding to between 127 and 187 fewer fatalities each year, than it would if it did not have a vehicle safety inspection program. (The range of fewer fatalities exceeds the range of fewer crashes due to the presence of crashes with multiple fatalities); The largest difference in reported vehicle failures at the scene of fatal crashes is for vehicles of three years of age or more; and The combination of state-level and county-level analysis of fatality data provide consistent and complementary results. The results of the research clearly demonstrate that the Vehicle Safety Inspection program in Pennsylvania is effective and saves lives.
 
Last edited:
I went into my inspection this year with no worries at all and was shocked to be told I needed brakes on all 4 wheels. I suspected a scam and was amazed when I checked my records and found that I had made nearly 75kmiles with no brake work! The inspecting shop actually gave a me a pretty good quote for the work and I had it done there in the end. One could probably argue that it was likely I only NEEDED front brakes, but I would have had them all done, anyway.
 
Berks County/Pa. is pretty critical when it comes to passing inspections annually. We also have an annual emissions inspection here also. My truck needed new rotors in the front & my garage actually gave me a heads up last year. For safety reasons alone I like that my state has annual inspections. Through the years I have seen many many bald & I mean bald tires on cars/trucks from Ohio in my parts.
 
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: TinyVoices
Not since I moved to VA. I found a gas station where they do them in 5 minutes, don't open the hood, and don't even take a wheel off. Just turn on the lights and pass you.
I'll PM you smile I hate this, because sometimes they remove the wheel and then put it back with gun and no torque wrench, removing that wheel is a pain! Also, I don't trust them touching the vehicle, but I have no choice. I don't mind if they do in front of me, but usually in winter they keep garage door down! During summer, it's fine smile
I think in my state they're supposed to check the ball joints, steering and suspension also which would probably require them to remove the wheels. No one really does it though. I think they said that to check all the things they're supposed to do in an inspection, it should take 45 minutes, but most stations just blast through it in 5 minutes. Takes more time to scrape the sticker off and put the new one on than the actual inspection.
 
PA: Yes, they can ding you pretty easily. I remember a Saab dealer in PA tried to ding me for a new alloy wheel in the mid-80's because there was an alleged crack. I called the PA State Police barracks that supervised inspection stations in Montgomery County, and I never had to replace the wheel. VA and NC: I've lived in these states for 25 years and never had a negative experience. But then again I maintain the vehicles pretty well.
 
On my 1984 F150 about 10 or 12 years ago took her in for inspection. The guy walked over to truck and put his finger through a bubbled place on drivers side bedside and said failed. I had just 2 days replacing all brake lines from master cylinder to all wheels. Did not even look at anything safety related in my opinion. Oh well has not been off the farm in 5 years no need for inspection now. I hope to retire to someplace with no annual inspection.
 
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
... I hate this, because sometimes [in Virginia inspections] they remove the wheel and then put it back with gun and no torque wrench, removing that wheel is a pain! Also, I don't trust them touching the vehicle, but I have no choice. ...
Yep. The first time I had to get a Virginia inspection, the muffler shop overtightened the lug nuts, and, worse, badly overtightened a rear wheel bearing. The next year, the tire shop did the same, except not as extreme. The third time Pep Boys got it right. I wasn't fond of strangers who don't know what they're doing messing with my wheel bearings. There were studies done over 20 years ago proving state inspections have very little real effect on safety. Several states eliminated them as a result.
 
Last edited:
NJ inspection used to be a bear but it's a walk in the park now. They used to do a full inspection, test brakes and lights, stick a sensor up your tailpipe, and check your windows for proper tint. It got to a point where you had to bring receipts for any repairs. I once failed for having a broken fog light. I argued fog lights are not a requirement so how can it fail. Inspector gave me a hard time and told me, "if it's on the car, it needs to work." I put the covers on the lights and took it back. Another inspector told me that since fog lights are not required, my car couldn't have failed for broken fog light. And he gave me a hard time. Finally got my sticker. It was very Kafkaesque. Now, in NJ, they assume you'll take care of the safety issues on your own and they just plug in an OBDII reader and verify there are no codes and give you a sticker good for 2 years.
 
It's silly, isn't it. the guy in the office is writing up my report as the mechanic grabs the keys..."It's Steve's car, you won't find anything" he says to the mechanic on the way out...but always still nervous of what they MIGHT find. Down here it's $37 inspection fee. * lights and wipers * lift front, check balljoints and front end. * check exhaust (no emissions). * brake and handbrake check (pedal pressure and G forces). It's a worthwhile process IMO to require a mechanic to at least have a look....although the joke is that if you've got a questionable car, take it to a mechanic that specialises in Land Rovers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top