Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Story

[EddieWalker]

After about 20 minutes, service writer comes in and says "Sorry to have to tell you this, but it didn't pass because it doesn't have a catalytic converter". I laughed and said "Yes it does, you installed it two years ago and charged my insurance company $1700 for it." He said "Well our mechanic says it's a straight pipe". I said "If there's no converter on there, I will be contacting my lawyer because you charged me for one".

This sure sounds like they where trying to scam you to pay for something that you didn't need. It didn't work out for them because you had already paid them to install one, but I wonder how many people they do this to? How many customers go there and are told that they have to pay for something that they don't need? and then they pretend to do the repair and charge them for it?

Didn't Sears get in trouble for doing this back in the 90s?

 

[2manyrocks]

Nashville, TN used to have vehicle emissions testing but it finally went away a year or so ago. Used to be a hassle to go get tested because of finding a time when I could leave work and they'd be open not to mention that you never knew how long the waiting lines would be.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Actually it's usually a breeze. 10 minutes to inspect and test, but a $50 cost. Old vehicles may need the occasional EGR valve but everything else I've had never needed repairs. Of course it does prohibit modifications to the omissions systems.
Only fail I ever had was after the DMV required the FORD dealer to reflash my diesel and the I had to perform a set drive routine to reset the computer (?). PIA that was.

I had a Reject once. Inspector rejected my '49 Chevy Suburban (Panel truck w/windows) for not having seat belts. I, of course, explained that they didn't have seat belts at the time that truck came out. He, of course, didn't care about that. No inspection certificate!

(I never argured that seat belts were needed, only that they weren't required for state safety inspection certification.)

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I use to know the amount of allowable not ready codes and stuff based on pre or post 2003? And how to slip by the emissions even with a van with a huge exhaust leak ahead of the cat

Passed with flying colors every time

But thankfully I left Illinois and that malarkey

 

[newbury]

And several times I've been able to say I'm going to fix minor things and get the inspection tag before fixing.
Last time was only a few years ago.
F350 dually, rear brake light lense had a crack. Inspector pointed it out, I replaced it just before next inspection.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

And several times I've been able to say I'm going to fix minor things and get the inspection tag before fixing.
Last time was only a few years ago.
F350 dually, rear brake light lense had a crack. Inspector pointed it out, I replaced it just before next inspection.

Another reason why I am glad we don't have inspections. What in the world does it matter if the lens has a crack?

 

[Oaktree]

Actually it's usually a breeze. 10 minutes to inspect and test, but a $50 cost. Old vehicles may need the occasional EGR valve but everything else I've had never needed repairs. Of course it does prohibit modifications to the omissions systems.

Why would you want to modify the emissions equipment? Seems to me like they pretty much worked out the kinks many years ago.
Most of the emissions faults I've seen have been "evap leak-small". Usually gas cap, but can be some of the other plumbing. Don't think I've ever had to replace an EGR.

In my state inspection stations can set their own rates, going rate seems to be $25 safety and $20 emissions. State charges stations a set fee per sticker.

Nashville, TN used to have vehicle emissions testing but it finally went away a year or so ago. Used to be a hassle to go get tested because of finding a time when I could leave work and they'd be open not to mention that you never knew how long the waiting lines would be.

Initially emissions testing in N.H. was limited to vehicles registered in Nashua and a few surrounding towns, later expanded to the whole state. I got the impression the administration of it being limited to a handful of communities was more hassle for the DMV. These days all done thru the OBD, inspection computer tied into the DMV. Anything over 20 years old is exempt.

I had a Reject once. Inspector rejected my '49 Chevy Suburban (Panel truck w/windows) for not having seat belts. I, of course, explained that they didn't have seat belts at the time that truck came out. He, of course, didn't care about that. No inspection certificate!

(I never argured that seat belts were needed, only that they weren't required for state safety inspection certification.)

How do states with seatbelt laws handle that at a traffic stop? Maybe there's an exception for vehicles before whatever model year they became mandatory? Can't be many that old still on the road anymore, most of which registered as antiques with limitations on how much you can drive them.

What in the world does it matter if the lens has a crack?

I'd say that would fall under the "gotta find something wrong" category. Many years ago I broke one of the tail lights on my truck loading something. Just glued the pieces back together, never had a problem. Again, a good reason to avoid the chain shops.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

How do states with seatbelt laws handle that at a traffic stop? Maybe there's an exception for vehicles before whatever model year they became mandatory? Can't be many that old still on the road anymore, most of which registered as antiques with limitations on how much you can drive them.

Around here you have have at minimum what the vehicle came standard with. If it didn't come with belts, no belts needed - just lap belts, etc. If it came with blinkers you gotta have them, if it didn't come with them they are not needed.

 

[ultrarunner]

Here's one for the "tell us something we may not know" thread:

Insurance is mandatory in my state too, however, I was once rear-ended by a guy who had no insurance. When the cops got there, I asked what they were going to do about it and they said "nothing, he is a Mennonite and is insured through his church".

I knew that governmental agencies like cities can be self-insured, but never heard of churches providing insurance for their members. Sure enough, the church paid for the damage.

Last I checked in California a motorist can post a bond or cash deposit to meet minimum liability.

Problem is if you have assets like a home it could be in jeopardy with minimum coverage.

Some large companies may qualify for self insurance…

Years ago a garbage truck bumped moms parked car a the garbage company was self insured and did cover it.

 

[Eagle1]

Why would you want to modify the emissions equipment? Seems to me like they pretty much worked out the kinks many years ago.

Some dirtbag stole your Catalytic converter and you don't want the $$$ oem and instead buy an aftermarket. Look different but works
Also works when a Cat fails or clogs up, can happen fast if a fuel injector stick open. In my case it turned out to be stud rubbing into a wiring harness at the back of the motor under the dash. Took a while to find and correct, sorry not paying shop rates for an old trucks I can fix sooner or later.
You may have done a motor swap and now it has little if any of any OEM system left, does not mean it could not pass the smog test. A lot crate motors come with their own ECM if you choose to do that.
Not everyone buys a new car after the warranty runs out, and some buy old ones to fix up..... having a cat left in the car after it sat for while is almost a miracle.