Passing State Inspection - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

imdavid28 · #1 02-02-2006, 02:02 PM

In Maryland, everytime you tag a used car you have to have the car inspected. My car has the Euro lamps on it, which are "not for road use" in America. Has anyone with these on their car passed a state inspection (not necessarily MD)?

TX76513 · #2 02-02-2006, 02:22 PM

The question is really; How thorough of an inspection does Maryland do. Mississippi pay $5 and get sticker – they might even look at car. Texas passed me with studded snows all the way around on my 4x4 after moving from Oregon.

tenknots · #3 02-02-2006, 02:44 PM

I'm in Maryland too, and as you know, the inspection is very thorough. But, my experience has been that if there's no $$ in it for the shop, it's not a big deal. Will they inspect your headlights? Yeah, to see if they work. They may even want to "align" them (euphemism for a $20 bribe). But whether they look to see if they are DOT compliant probably depends on the inspector. I don't remember seeing that on the list for them to check - just their operation.

Can you put some DOT lights on, just for the inspection?

Rich300TDMBZ · #4 02-02-2006, 03:15 PM

In California, all salvage vehicles have to have the Brake and Light inspection before it can go back on the road. Station registered under the state will do the inspection for about a $100, and it is pretty thorough. As far as I know they do not check for the DOT requirments. They check for function, and that they work. A car that was checked passed with no problems even though it has European headlights, and taillights (W124).

TX76513 · #5 02-02-2006, 03:21 PM

A person could get creative with a glass numbering kit (the ones for VIN's)

imdavid28 · #6 02-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenknots

Can you put some DOT lights on, just for the inspection?

I don't have any on hand, it came with the Euros when I bought it. There is a junkyard near by that I could get some from, but I would want the Euros back on afterwords. I think I may just take it to get inspected, if it fails, fix it. If it don't, less trouble for me.

Did you have DOTs on yours when inspected?

imdavid28 · #7 02-02-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

A person could get creative with a glass numbering kit (the ones for VIN's)

Cleaver, but the DOTs also have 3 protrusions on the lens.

rwthomas1 · #8 02-02-2006, 07:28 PM

I have E-codes and no issues with the Rhode Island inspection. They flunked me for "rotted" rear brake lines. I couldn't find a crack in them but I replaced them anyway and they put the sticker on.... RT

sailor15015 · #9 02-02-2006, 10:46 PM

Man I am so glad Oklahoma got rid of state inspections the year before I got my license. I do remember going with my parents on several occasions to get the sticker and it was the once-around, pay, and get your sticker. As long as the car looked fine they weren't too thorough.

Hit Man X · #10 02-02-2006, 10:53 PM

Do you honestly believe the inspectors know the difference? Just tell them it was an option if they even ask...

Most of the guys here are "good ol' boys" so they just make sure the lights work and off I go.

kerry · #11 02-02-2006, 10:57 PM

I have 'Classic' plates on my 71 Travco, 74 Olds, and 77 300d. These plates require payment for 5 yrs registration up front. I got my first renewal for the Travco this week and was very pleased to learn that with classic plates, renewal emissions tests are no longer required (test needed only if the vehicle changes hands.) Yippee! At $55 a crack for the diesel emissions, the savings on emissions tests covers the cost of registration.

MBeige · #12 02-02-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich300TDMBZ

In California, all salvage vehicles have to have the Brake and Light inspection before it can go back on the road. Station registered under the state will do the inspection for about a $100, and it is pretty thorough. As far as I know they do not check for the DOT requirments. They check for function, and that they work. A car that was checked passed with no problems even though it has European headlights, and taillights (W124).

I'm not aware that Cali had state inspections. Never had any done on my car.

ricardon5945 · #13 02-03-2006, 09:11 AM

My 300td passed MD inspection in the fall with euro headlamps and bumpers.

Before I took it in, my husbands fancy VW mechanic warned that I would fail on all sorts of things including the euro lamps and bumpers- gave me some rediculous estimate to get it "inspection ready".

I found a new mechanic who suggested I take the car to Action Auto (on Beaver Dam Rd in Cockeysville). I'm not sure how thorough they were- we chatted for quite a bit while we stood around the car. aside from rear brake pads she passed easily!!! Granted, the car is in very nice condition-- I also washed her up real nice beforehand so she made a good first impression.

I think if the inspection station is not familiar with the cars, they have no idea about the lamps- they just check if they work... If you're near cockeysville check out Action Auto.

Good Luck!!

tenknots · #14 02-03-2006, 12:44 PM

You guys that aren't in MD have it easy. The inspection here covers 65 things that have to be checked including:

One front and one rear brake - measure pad and rotors
ball joints and other suspension components
steering play
heater/defroster operation
seat movements
any leaks
all lights
entire exhaust
rust (will fail for rust through)
tire tread measure
speedometer needle bounce
window tinting (my Florida car failed)
window operation (driver's at least)
mirror operation
parking brake hill holding
on the road brake test
windshield wiper streaking and proper parking

and many other checks that mechanics benefit from when they find a problem. The shadier places will ALWAYS find something. When I took my 300D in a few months ago, they said all the shcoks were bad. I produced a reciept showing new rear shocks and they said gosh, only the front ones were bad now. They were fine, but I replaced them anyway, since $100 is getting off pretty good for an old car. The inspections have completely eliminated low-cost used car lots in Maryland. And buying an old car is a crap shoot - you never know what they'll find. Shining them up helps. The kicker is that you can't get anything more than a temporary sticker until it passes. According to the DMV, the sticker is only good for going to get the car inspected!

At least diesels don't have to do the emissions test like gassers...

P.E.Haiges · #15 02-03-2006, 01:01 PM

If they only inspected the drivers ( 96% of accidents caused by defective drivers ) we would all be safer.

P E H