The State inspection wait is on.............. - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lbackusmb · #31 07-02-2009, 01:54 PM

Mark and AMH - you guys remind me of the old days. Yes inspections were cheap but what a PITA every six months.

I follow Jim Freeh's approach (except for the $5 - maybe that's next) For the last couple of years I have had very good luck on my inspections at a station in Springfield. Show up last month in the 500SEC - car fails. When you release the e-brake, the e-brake pedal doesn't travel far enough back to hit the switch to douse the dash light (that tells you the e-brake is on). Never has as long as I have owned the car. No inspector has ever failed it until now. If the dash light ever bothered me, I just reached up with the toe of my left foot and pulled the pedal back - light out.

Until this inspection the severity of the potential safety issue involved never occurred to me!

One thing we Virginians need to keep in mind, as an earlier poster noted, the state police license the inspectors and pose as civilians with cars to test the inspectors - and do pull licenses. I have a feeling that may have occurred here because I had never seen this particular inspector before. So if the state police gigged this station and its inspector, future inspections will most likely involve serious nit picking.

Now - on the hunt for a new inspection station.

Oh - I installed a spring to bring the pedal travel back - not exactly OE but got the job done. And I don't blame the inspector - they have been dealt a lousy hand.

OldPokey · #32 07-02-2009, 02:03 PM

Maryland has an inspection only when the title is transferred. It's pretty rigorous, but as long as you don't buy an old car it's easy to get through. Everything older than 20 years gets a pass, as you can get a "Historic" license plate for that one.

The whole thing is bogus. I see plenty of broken lights, no tail lights, etc. around here that would be fixed with a yearly inspection like VA has.

Oldwolf · #33 07-02-2009, 02:29 PM

I am having my 300D inspected tomorrow. It is a yearly thing here in NC.

michakaveli · #34 07-02-2009, 02:41 PM

I thank the supreme being(s) above for SC not having any inspections. This is why I will never move to NC, at least while they have that inspection requirement. The thought of leaving my vehicle for any period of time with an unknown entity, probing my vehicle like a colonoscopy makes me very nervous. Im have OCD, and I classify this within that catergory

compress ignite · #35 07-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Ain't No:

Emissions
Safety
Courtesy

Inspections of any Kind!

Hell, in Rural Georgia a Paper Dealer "Drive Out" License Tag (30 day expiration)
May be good for as long as you drive your car[and if not Uncle Hiram will give
you another with "Fresher" dates.]

ImBroke · #36 07-02-2009, 04:33 PM

Like Jim, I bring lots of cars in. They know me. I sort of like having them inspect it. If it fails, I know what really needs to be fixed. Seems to be a good selling point too. Friend got his license pulled for three years for "inspecting". I don't think he'll try that again.

Jerry_W · #37 07-02-2009, 07:12 PM

This end of the world, it's an anal, oops, ANNUAL thing, and they are picky, if it is on the vehicle, it has to work. A non-functional rear wiper can be a cause for rejection, but on the whole, I maintain/repair my own stuff and sometimes a second opinion on the real safety stuff (suspension, brake system) isn't a bad thing if you can trust the mechanic.

H-townbenzoboy · #38 07-02-2009, 07:25 PM

All we have here is a safety inspection for diesels. They just check to make sure all of your light bulbs are working and they check your horn. Boom, you're done.

argus445 · #39 07-02-2009, 07:42 PM

i'm glad tennessee isnt one of those states maybe it's good to have someone look at every light buzzer and do dadt on a car. But me personally the less the govt. is on my bussiness the better. The inspection and the double tags kill me they look ugly and just another chance for dang illegal red-light/speed trap cam. to get u.

yellowrosefarm · #40 07-02-2009, 09:33 PM

It really is best to find a place you like and stick with them. If they know you, they also know you aren't the law

. A shop isn't going to get rich on inspections at 16$ when following the official procedure that takes about 45 minutes.

Most shop labor rates around here are $60-100$/hr. I would love to see them go to every two years since I have 7 to do including the trailers.

Oldwolf · #41 07-03-2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michakaveli

I thank the supreme being(s) above for SC not having any inspections. This is why I will never move to NC, at least while they have that inspection requirement. The thought of leaving my vehicle for any period of time with an unknown entity, probing my vehicle like a colonoscopy makes me very nervous. Im have OCD, and I classify this within that catergory

It takes them 10 minutes at the most and I can watch them. No big deal really.

Ken300D · #42 07-04-2009, 07:01 AM

The other thing I do on inspections is move away from the area and don't watch. That gives them the freedom to shortcut the process without worrying that you'll report them somehow. I move to the other side of the building, go inside, go to another store, etc.

On the MBs, the wheels don't have to come off due to the disk brakes, so I don't have to worry about them stripping the lug bolts.

The worst system I have heard of in the USA is in the District of Columbia. They have only two government-run inspection stations in the whole place. You get in a big line and typically waste at least a half day. I get the impression a treadmill is involved. Maybe someone in DC can explain the process in more detail.

Ken300D

bustedbenz · #43 07-04-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

The other thing I do on inspections is move away from the area and don't watch. That gives them the freedom to shortcut the process without worrying that you'll report them somehow. I move to the other side of the building, go inside, go to another store, etc.

Ken300D

I usually end up standing right next to it talking to the mechanic while they're working; I know several of them at the place I usually get inspected.

I've also had the car fail before because "We couldn't get the horn to blow." Well since I'd used it earlier that day I was pretty sure it was okay so I went back to the shop, turned the ignition on since you have to do that, whacked the horn in just the right spot, it sounded off, and I was able to get the sticker. Ever since then I stick close to it just so I can go ahead and head off trouble if any shows up. And to babysit it and see if they remember to glow it before they start it and move it into the bay... last time they just let me pull it in myself.

Mark DiSilvestro · #44 07-04-2009, 01:52 PM

The small Sunoco station where I get inspected doesn't have many choices for the inspector to be out of veiw, unless one wants to hang out by the restrooms or the dumpster. I try not to hover or get in their way.
I took my latest 240D in for inspection this week.
When he was done, I advised the inspector before he backed the car out, to push the driver's door-lock down before turning off the key. He let me back it out!

Happy Motoring, Mark

lbackusmb · #45 07-06-2009, 12:44 PM

My truck (85 Ford diesel) is up for inspection. I'm thinking about going back to the same station - yes they do know me there - except for the new inspector. I've also discovered at other times that the Ford truck SEEMS to get a pass on questionable issues (one inspector told me that I didn't need brake pads yet but will soon). Before they got to know me, I have gotten this "funny feeling" that when I bring the truck in I must be "an ok guy" but when I brought one of the benzes in I'm "one of those". The truck doesn't even go 1,000 miles a year - its only used for mulch and mercedes parts.

As I said before, I'm not really opposed to the inspections - I actually favor them - I would just like to see reasonableness. It does encourage me to check the lights and make sure everthing is working - but on all my cars, the basic safety stuff, brakes, tires, front end etc are taken care of when needed - not because the inspection is coming up!

I work in DC and the inspections used to horrible - you always knew when someone had come back. I haven't heard any complaints in the last four or five years - I'll ask around.