Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Story

[Runner]

Just got back from my friendly local Ford dealer. Two years ago, this dealer installed a replacement catalytic converter on my truck after the original was stolen. Today, I took this truck to the same dealer for a motor vehicle safety inspection (required in my state to renew the license).

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".

He called in another mechanic (who happened to be the one who installed the converter 2 years ago). He said, "Yup, the converter is there, just like I installed it". Drove out with the approval, but, brother, is this the best they can do?

Last year, different dealer, different car, turned down because the inspector thought the seat belt buckle was too hard to latch. It worked just fine, but he thought it should work easier. Wanted $400 to install a new one. I got in the car and fastened the seat belt to prove to him that it worked fine. He still refused to approve it, saying that if they changed it after writing it up, it would make them look bad. Took the car to the local DMV inspector who approved it and she then made the dealer write the approval.

Inspection stations should have to pay US $12 when they screw these things up (or at least make the inspection free) for wasting our time.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

This makes me feel lucky. I've never had an inspection. Arkansas quit that before I started driving. I can remember going with my dad for inspections when I was a kid though.

 

[Runner]

This makes me feel lucky. I've never had an inspection. Arkansas quit that before I started driving. I can remember going with my dad for inspections when I was a kid though.

You are indeed lucky. They are a big scam and a thorn in the side to those of us who have to deal with them. I guess I should be thankful that at least I don't have to deal with exhaust emission inspections like some places....

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

You are indeed lucky. They are a big scam and a thorn in the side to those of us who have to deal with them. I guess I should be thankful that at least I don't have to deal with exhaust emission inspections like some places....

Sorry you feel they are a scam. I drive 5+ year old vehicles. There are many people that don’t understand that maintenance is required if you want to keep your vehicle for a long time. For those people that don’t keep their vehicles, safety inspection is the only way to catch those things that would be a hazard on the highway. The $25 for the inspection here in Nova Scotia is well worth the investment. If you don’t trust your service provider, find one you do trust.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We had that in Oklahoma for a while. I had a 72 VW convertible that I had just spent a small fortune on to have restored. I hadn't driven it except home from the shop, and after it sat for a couple days, I decided to start it up and drive it around the section line, because I didn't like for it to sit too long with out being driven.

Got about a mile from the house, and a cop stopped me, and gave me a ticket for not having a current inspection sticker. I tried to explain that it had sat for 3 years after being wrecked, and had just gotten it home after a complete restoration, and hadn't gotten around to having it inspected. He said "T.S." and gave me the ticket.

The guy at the station said "Wow! This thing is like new!"

 

[WM75Guy]

Last year for non-commercial vehicle inspections in Texas, they are now longer required as of 01/01/25. Emissions testing will still be required in those counties that require it now. But the state is not doing away with the $7.50 fee, just changing the name.

 

[Thomas]

Seems lately there more scammers than good honest technicians.

 

[zzvyb6]

The N.Y. State Special: "I can fix that broken headlight you are about to have for $30."

 

[oosik]

It use to be - if you lived inside the city limits of Spokane - annual emission test. Still may be that way - I don't know.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I agree with the way 'back when' in Alabama they'd set up road side safety inspections. No emmision check, just safety. Citations, if due, were written right on the spot. I'm sure they've changed that by now.

In my current state, Georgia, only certain counties, those adjacent to large metro areas, still require emmision/safety inspections. Seeing all of the obviously unsafe vehicles on the road around my county, I'd support annual safety inspections everywhere. I often see obvious Death Traps going up and down the highways. Not good!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Around here it is very rare to see one that is in bad dis-repair. I would argue to do away with inspections everywhere. If there are some that are that obvious, a traffic stop should suffice.

 

[Runner]

I will have to say, we have received some relief in recent years because now, the requirement only applies to vehicle more than 10 years old and/or having more than 150,000 miles. My truck is more than 10 years, but much less than 150,000 miles. Some of the inspectors just can't resist trying to stick it to you, even if they're wrong.

You would think a mechanic at a Ford dealer designated for doing State mandated inspections would be able to recognize a catalytic converter when he sees it.

 

[ponytug]

I will have to say, we have received some relief in recent years because now, the requirement only applies to vehicle more than 10 years old and/or having more than 150,000 miles. My truck is more than 10 years, but much less than 150,000 miles. Some of the inspectors just can't resist trying to stick it to you, even if they're wrong.

You would think a mechanic at a Ford dealer designated for doing State mandated inspections would be able to recognize a catalytic converter when he sees it.

I almost hate to ask, but have you looked under your Ford to see which mechanic was correct? Personally, I know that I would want to know.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Runner]

I almost hate to ask, but have you looked under your Ford to see which mechanic was correct? Personally, I know that I would want to know.

All the best,

Peter

Absolutely. I got under there myself after the converter was installed to check the part number, etc., to make sure it was the right part and to check on the pricing. It is the right part (keeping in mind that Ford no longer sold a converter to fit, so they had to buy an aftermarket unit).

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Sorry you feel they are a scam. I drive 5+ year old vehicles. There are many people that don’t understand that maintenance is required if you want to keep your vehicle for a long time. For those people that don’t keep their vehicles, safety inspection is the only way to catch those things that would be a hazard on the highway. The $25 for the inspection here in Nova Scotia is well worth the investment. If you don’t trust your service provider, find one you do trust.

They are a scam for most people.

 

[Oaktree]

Sorry you feel they are a scam. I drive 5+ year old vehicles. There are many people that don’t understand that maintenance is required if you want to keep your vehicle for a long time. For those people that don’t keep their vehicles, safety inspection is the only way to catch those things that would be a hazard on the highway. The $25 for the inspection here in Nova Scotia is well worth the investment. If you don’t trust your service provider, find one you do trust.

Despite the hassle, I agree that safety inspections are a good idea. The "scam" part of it is that some inspection stations use that as a way to drum up business...the equivalent of the old "spray some oil on the alternator" trick of years gone by. I avoid dealerships, auto repair/tire chains and anyone offering a "special" on state inspection for that reason, they almost always seem to find something "wrong", even if it's total BS. Independent shops seem to be the best bet.
I will confess with my older vehicles to choose a shop where they don't look too close.

Around here it is very rare to see one that is in bad dis-repair. I would argue to do away with inspections everywhere. If there are some that are that obvious, a traffic stop should suffice.

How do you know? Bad brakes, suspension parts or loose steering components aren't something you can just see at a glance. I'm guessing very few cops are going to check for ball joint play at a traffic stop. With all the plastic cladding most modern vehicles have, even major rust holes aren't apparent unless you put it on a lift.

To me it's nice to have that layer of assurance that the "other guy" is driving something that's at least mostly roadworthy.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

How do you know? Bad brakes, suspension parts or loose steering components aren't something you can just see at a glance. I'm guessing very few cops are going to check for ball joint play at a traffic stop. With all the plastic cladding most modern vehicles have, even major rust holes aren't apparent unless you put it on a lift.

To me it's nice to have that layer of assurance that the "other guy" is driving something that's at least mostly roadworthy.

Well, I guess if it's being driven the brakes are good enough to stop it, the suspension works well enough, and the steering is tight enough to have gotten it that far. Ball joints can't be that bad if someone has to go physically check them. <--- That's mostly jest, but my personal experience suggests that a lack of inspections are not causing undue harm. There is no rash of junkers causing a bunch of crashes. More people just don't use blinkers than have blown bulbs. Same with headlights, it's very rare to see a headlight out, I may see a few a year. Very rarely see anyone changing a tire on the side of the road. We also don't really have rust issues here.

If I saw a lot of unsafe vehicles on the roads I might tend to feel the way you do. But I don't, so I much prefer it this way. Modern vehicles stay in pretty good shape for quite a long time, and have more safety features and nag lights than they ever have.

 

[ultrarunner]

Rolling wrecks often have expired tags and operators with no license...

Twice when my parked car was hit... no license for driver and registration for car and forget about insurance... no injury means no police response for report.

 

[2manyrocks]

Car insurance is mandatory in my state, but I can tell you there are a bunch of drivers who don't have it despite all of the warnings issued to them by the state.

I don't so much worry about how people maintain their cars as much as I fear them crossing into my lane because they are on their *&^% phone. Happened yesterday. Again.

 

[2manyrocks]

I will have to say, we have received some relief in recent years because now, the requirement only applies to vehicle more than 10 years old and/or having more than 150,000 miles. My truck is more than 10 years, but much less than 150,000 miles. Some of the inspectors just can't resist trying to stick it to you, even if they're wrong.

You would think a mechanic at a Ford dealer designated for doing State mandated inspections would be able to recognize a catalytic converter when he sees it.

Especially if they installed it.