Frustrated with state car inspection

[djmcmath]

I just took my car to get inspected. Like most of us here, I'm generally pretty involved in my automobiles, and so I know where I stand. I happen to know, for example, that my front lower control arms are still good. Last time I checked them (about 2 months ago), the bushings and ball joints showed no particular signs of wear -- no cracking, no brittleness, no fluids leaking out ... no problems.

But because some state inspector says so, my ball joints are shot and need to be replaced before I can drive any further on the fine roads of the lovely state of Maryland. As if to make it obvious that it was a bogus inspection, he cited my windshield wipers, which are both in fine shape. Then he offered to take care of the repairs in house, naturally.

This reeks of a mechanic who saw the BMW in the shop and said, "Here's a guy who has no clue about cars, let me make some s*** up and see if I can make a few quick bucks." The fact that I know well enough not to give this guy money to replace parts that I know are still good is little consolation because I still had to pay $75 for this bogus inspection, and I'll have to waste time and money again later to go somewhere else to re-inspect.

Aside from just being frustrated, it occurs to me that if guys like that can get qualified to perform a state inspection, a guy with my educational background shouldn't have any trouble getting certified. Anybody know what it takes to become a Certified State Vehicle Inspection Site? I suspect I'll never make it -- insurance requirements for a commercial garage, or something, but it's worth looking into.

Anyone else have horror stories from state inspections? Anyone else ever do anything about it?

Dan

[stomachmonkey]

Did the brakes on my 3000 and a couple of weeks later had to get inspection.

Drop it at the guy down the road from the office. Few hundred people in my building and a lot of them are his customers.

Call to see if car is done and guys says "needs brakes"

Said OK, be there in a minute.

When I go there I ask the owner if he inspected the brakes himself or was he relying on the tech.

Says he saw it himself.

Told him the brakes were brand new, I did not appreciate being taken advantage of and assured him that everyone at the office will have heard about this before the week was out.

He just looked at me with a blank stare. He had nothing to say.

[Noah930]

In California, the smog shops (where our smog inspections take place--we have nothing for actual safety inspections of vehicles) are not allowed to do any repair work. Eliminates a lot of the conflict of interest you just experienced, Dan. Wonder if there's some hotline/complaint number where you can report this dishonest shop to the DMV and have them lose their license.

[David]

This is why I always go to the same place. I don't think they'd pass an illegal car, but I don't have to deal with BS. When I got the 930 inspected the other day, they didn't even look at it. The inspector said he knows me, he knows the car, and he's sure I have everything working (I do.) He declined a ride in the car though

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Noah930

In California, the smog shops (where our smog inspections take place--we have nothing for actual safety inspections of vehicles) are not allowed to do any repair work. Eliminates a lot of the conflict of interest you just experienced, Dan. Wonder if there's some hotline/complaint number where you can report this dishonest shop to the DMV and have them lose their license.

Not entirely true. If your car is labeled a gross polluter, then you have to go to a test only shop. I can take my Toyota to a smog shop that also does repairs.

[Noah930]

I stand corrected. Now knowing that, I'm still only going to places that don't do repairs, unless I find myself in a situation like 125shifter's.

Dave, why don't we have any form of actual safety check in California? I've had it in the other 3 states in which I've lived. Seems like that's actually something I'd consider impendingly important, as opposed the stupid "visual" smog check we get here (that no one else has).

[slodave]

Alarick, we live in a backwards state. My Porsche was cleaner than my 2001 Toyota at last smog check, yet it's labeled a gross polluter. That's with an original cat. California should have inspections. I see too many cars and trucks that look like they are going to fall apart.

[Instrument 41]

Arrgghhh...I feel you pain. I lived in Ellicott City from 89 to 91. Maryland's inspection process is a racket! I had a restored "toy" that was very original and had some issues, but due to the wow factor it passed with flying colors. Had a Regal and all was well with the exception of the fan selector switch, would not work on high. They would not pass it because of that and my license plate lights were out. The shop owner and I came to fist-a-cuffs on that one!

[notfarnow]

We have yearly safetey inspections here. I get my cars inspected at the same place where I buy parts and have the work done... the little I don't do myself.

They are really good about it. They'll tell me if something is "iffy" but squeaks by. They'll also treat my vehicles differently. They knw which car my wife drives for work a lot, and they are super anal about that one, which I like. But with my Samurai, they'll say "If anyone asks, the parking brake worked when you brought it in, ok?". Actually they are funny about the samurai... they only work on VW/audi BMW & benz, but they'll inpect my Samurai because it's a VW half-breed and because I run a fair bit of business through them. I'm just not allowed to park it out front, though. Too ugly, they say.

[djmcmath]

Great stories. I especially appreciate stomachmonkey's story -- it's incredibly gratifying to be able to say, "I'm going to rat you out to your customer base for the lying pig that you are, you pathetic sod." Unfortunately, in my case, being new in town and not knowing anyone who goes to this place, I can't exactly ruin his business. All I can do is never go back.

I like the idea, at a legislative level, of separating repair shops from inspection shops. It seems like it would dramatically reduce this kind of nonsense. Around here, it seems like every other street corner has a gas station with a garage out back and a shingle that says "State Inspection site #..." Like I said before -- I wonder what it takes to get that state certification to inspect? Could I take a trade school class to get my ASE certification, then apply with the state to inspect cars? It seems like there's a niche in the market for people to get cars inspected on Saturdays.

Instrument 41 -- I can't believe they wouldn't pass a car because of the fan selector switch. That's just absurd. Is that even on the checklist? What idiot builds a "safety inspection checklist" that includes the fan selector switch? Wow.

[ChrisBennet]

The dealer tried to pull something similar last summer on my 80 yr old Dad (his like new brakes didn't pass). He contacted the state police and they sent a guy down who was very helpful in "reeducating" the dealer while my farther watched.

-Chris

[onewhippedpuppy]

Fortunately, our somewhat liberal governor has not yet tried to press such BS on us here in good old KS. One of the best things about living here. Of course, I can't imagine how many farm trucks would resoundingly fail, IF the farmers even bothered to get them checked.

Seems that having both inspection and repair is a recipe for corruption. They should be seperated, pure and simple.

[VincentVega]

At least we dont have to do it every year! I would never go to a random place, I've heard too many stories like yours. Generally, after some trial and error, and some good recommendations I've found a place that's fair, nothing like what you mention. The inspectors are licensed and usually bring in a ton of business for the shop they work. Sometimes they are the biggest draw and get a cut of the $$.

[Hugh R]

While I'm not for more regulations, in California I think when they do a smog check they should at least make sure the rear lights of the car work. I see so many cars with one brake light, one tail light, no brake lights or no tail lights that work. Of course, less and less people use turn signals when lane changing they probably don't need to bother to check them.

[alwaysflat6s]

Jumping into this a little late.... but....

The terrible thing in Calif is that if you have an older Porsche they require that you pass an arbitrary smog standard. It is quite different than what the car was built for. I have a problem every time I have to smog my 79 930. Back when I had to smog my early MFI cars it was a total nightmare. One 73E still had the decal in the window showing the smog standards the car was built for and no one would explain why the car had to pass a far more stringent emissions standard original construction. Those of you who are a bit younger may not be aware of it, but a LOT of early Porsches were sold out of state after the owners finally gave up trying.

We also used to have inspections. Actually, the CHP used to do surprise roadside inspections but stopped doing it because of $$$$. At least that is the story they give. That is the only good thing about the smog checks. It has helped get a lot of old junkers off the roads. You wouldn't believe the pieces of crap you used to see on the highways.

So, it is better/worse. Any pre-1976 is exempt. Anything 1976+ will be required to smog forever and God only knows what they will do with the standards next. You have to understand that this is no longer a particularly car friendly state with a lot of nonsense.
John Rice

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

This is why I always go to the same place. I don't think they'd pass an illegal car, but I don't have to deal with BS.

B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-O.

Common sense 101.

[dhoward]

Son-in-law is a state inspector.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

This is why I always go to the same place. I don't think they'd pass an illegal car, but I don't have to deal with BS. When I got the 930 inspected the other day, they didn't even look at it. The inspector said he knows me, he knows the car, and he's sure I have everything working (I do.) He declined a ride in the car though

Passing a car without inspecting it is wholly illegal.

[Rikao4]

Years ago some clown asked for the keys,
why..? I need to check the brakes,
not going to happen..get in I drive,
I have to drive it..well buy your own..see ya..

MY place now and for years since..I really don't have to get out of the car.

Rika

[Porsche-O-Phile]

They'll never implement such safety inspections in CA. Some lawyer would sue over it being discriminatory against the Mexicans (who disproportionately drive the aforementioned schitboxes).

As such, my best advice is to develop a good "first impression" radar for vehicles out there on the road and don't follow behind the junkers, 'cause parts are liable to come flying off without warning. This is especially thrilling if you happen to be on a motorcycle following one when it happens. Ask me how I know.