? for those of you in Maryland

[GregS]

Since I recently moved to Maryland, I have two cars registered out-of-state. I've heard that Maryland inspection is pretty strict, and I'm concerned about getting them inspected. Can anyone tell me:

a) what they are going to check,

b) how they view rust (my '84 300D if from upstate NY and is pretty rusty in the rear quarter panel area), and

c) my most important question: who can I take my car to that is trustworthy and won't try to rip me off?? Please don't say "Mitch Carr in Kensington," or RC Imports. I've called both shops, and for some reason neither do Maryland inspections. So I don't know what to do, but I would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks,

GregS
'84 300D, 183k
'90 300CE, 173k

They have the inspection itself done through a station with the state certification a block or so away. They will do a free pre-purchase inspection, and let you know what the car will likely need to pass. They are VERY honest and their "gimmick" is not costing the customer any more than is necessary...and even then they will cut you some slack.

Steering and tie-rods are one area of inspection focus, as are brakes. Floorboard rust generally raises some concern. Check the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration website for further details.

[spriro]

I had mine done at Precision Auto Germantown. They told me I had to change my tie rod assembly (On 99 C280). I knew nothing about Mercerdes at that time. They told me it will cost $650 to replace. It's a ripoff on the parts. They quoted tie rod assembly for $405.

I shopped around and found this G&G Gas station in Silver Spring. (Georgia Avenue South exit, on the left hand side). They quoted me $425. So I went ahead and had them changed. When I picked up my car the manager asked me why I had them changed. I told him it was failed in inspection by Precision Auto. According to him it's still good enough to pass the test.

I should have sued Precision Auto but I had a lot of things on my mind at that time. So I let it go.

For Inspection, I recommend G & G Station in Silver Spring.
They can also drop off and pick you up if you live close by.

Most of my other services are done by RC Imports. So far I've been pretty happy with them too.

Beware of Precision Auto Germantown!!!

[TimFreeh]

When I lived in Maryland I had the same set of problems - make it clear to the inspection station that if any repairs are needed you have the means to make the repairs yourself.

Many of these stations treat the inspection process as a arketing opportunity.

[y2kimmel]

The Getty station in Kensington did an inspection for me once. They were reasonable and didn't try to force anything on me. Let Mitch Carr's do any repair work that they find (they're 2 blocks away.)

Here's a link explaining the maryland inspection process by Pat Goss, Maryland's unofficial #1 car guy. He has a weekly TV show and a radio show, and is really knowledgeable about cars.

http://www.patgosscarworld.com/maryland.htm


By the way - if you move from another state, you only have to pay the difference between that state's sales tax (if greater than 5%) in addition to a registration fee. try to find your old records showing that you've already paid sales tax once.


Hope this helps.

Troy
1995 E420 79k

[spriro]

They might try to charge you for re-inspection if you don't do the repair at their place.

If the bottom line number is cheaper, might as well go to another shop. Especially in my case they try to rip me off.

[GregS]

Regarding the quote about "gimmicks:" I don't mean to badmouth either RC or Mitch Carr, its just that they both said they don't do inspections, but take them "to a Sunoco down the street." I want to take my car to a trusted place, and I just don't trust any gas station/Sunoco type shop with my cars (Mercedes or not!). In my experience you can typically expect high prices, hasty repairs, and grease on your upholstry when you get the car back (and a scratch or dent if you're lucky).

How about the dealer in Bethesda? Has anyone had any experience with them? Is a Maryland inspection a standard price? If so, it shouldn't cost me any more to take it to the dealer than to take it to Sunoco, right? I worry about a non-mercedes mechanic poking around my car, and at least at the dealer I should get someone who knows something about the cars.

Thanks,

GregS

inspection...Mitch's does the work. They take exquisite care of any vehicle entrusted to them.

[spriro]

I think Euromotorcars will do inspection.
As long as they find nothing wrong with your car it should cost the same with a gas station. I think it's around $65.
But boy if they do find something wrong, be prepared to cut your arm and leg to pay.

Try Pulliam Engineering in Silver Spring. I heard the owner was working for Herb Gordon MB. Hopefully they do inspection.

[Alan Hamm]

Originally posted by GregS
Regarding the quote about "gimmicks:" I don't mean to badmouth either RC or Mitch Carr, its just that they both said they don't do inspections, but take them "to a Sunoco down the street." I want to take my car to a trusted place....,

How about the dealer in Bethesda? Has anyone had any experience with them?

GregS

Mitch Carrs is absolutely fantastic. I have 3 mercedes and have taken them all there and each time the repair is about 1/2 of what I was prepared for. The understand that if they treat you right, you will come back. As it stands right now, I would trust them with my kids.

So, if they say they will take it someplace down the street, they will see to it that it is done right and with no problems. I would expect that the station they send it to had no incentive to drum up additional work as they know that Carr's will get the repair work anyway.

But your post is interesting. Do you want a tough inspection that will find things? Or one that won't? MD only requires inspections when cars are bought and sold, so yes they are a little tough.

I had good luck with the Amoco station on Old Georgetown Rd in Bethesda when I first bought my cars. This was before I found Mitch Carr's in my back yard.

[GregS]

Well, I moved into the state with one car with NY plates and another with VA plates, so will I need a Maryland inspection to get maryland plates and registration? I'm not buying or selling anything. The guy I bought the CE from lived in Frederick and had it inspected before I bought it. It "failed" because the front rotors were 1 millimeter too thin and because it "needed" two tires. The front tires on the car have about 90% of the tread and the "bad," rear, tires had about 75% of the tread. It also allegedly needed two lugnuts. Do I think this is fair? Not really. 1 millimeter too thin, come on! Tires don't need to be replaced when they still have 75% of their tread on them, and its insane that it needs new lugnuts when I've personally inspected all of them and there are no chips, scratches, rust, damaged threads, etc. So I now have this fear that I'm going to get raked over the coals when I take it to get inspected again, a year later (I lived in VA before, and the CE passed VA inspection, the diesel still has NY plates, and passes NY inspection).

So that's my story. When I decide to do this, I guess I will entrust them both to Mitch Carr's shop. I appreciate everyone's input.

Thanks,

GregS

[wbain5280]

In Maryland, new cars don't get inspected. Used cars get inspected once, when you buy it or bring it into the state. After that, never again. The inspection station knows that you may or may not drive the tires until they are bald.

Be prepared to get your headlights adjusted, nevermind that there are lots of Maryland cars with out of alignment headlights.

Turn signal use appears to be illegal as well since so few use them.

[Alan Hamm]

Originally posted by GregS
1 millimeter too thin, come on! Tires don't need to be replaced when they still have 75% of their tread on them, and its insane that it needs new lugnuts when I've personally inspected all of them and there are no chips, scratches, rust, damaged threads, etc.

GregS

I honestly don't think you will have that situation occur in the referral through Carr's. If you did, at least you are paying for a second opinion and it is coming from a shop that wants your long term business. My opinion is that if they agreed that you were getting jerked around, they would back you up.

How not to get burned when you bring a Mercedes for Maryland inspection.

Make an appointment with Mitch Carr's Auto Service (only Mercedes) in Kensington for a "pre purchase inspection"...his people will go over the subject vehicle and point out likely problems with passing inspection...this service is FREE.

You will have a report based on what they find and the notorius parts of the Maryland inspection crucible...he will then send the car to be inspected at a nearby service station WHICH DOES NO REPAIR WORK...therefore they have nothing to gain by turning up moneymaking stuff like missing lug nuts, torn seat covers, headlamp alignment, etc.

Car goes back to Mitch to get the work done needed to pass inspection...then it goes back to the service station for the final vetting...and you take your inspection certificate and title to the Maryland MVA and get your tags.

All work done by Mitch guaranteed for 90 days...and his guys know what they are doing.

The Maryland Inspection Program is an ordeal only slightly less painful than that depicted in Mel Gibson's latest movie...but following this approach will get you the needed ducat, with quality work, at a fair price...been through it twice.