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!