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

Burnzy · #1 07-01-2009, 08:11 AM

I'm not sure about the rest of you guys, but in Virginia we have the annual "bend over and call me Daddy" event, otherwise known as the State Safety Inspection. I just dropped the car off this morning and now I sit and wait for "the call". I hate this feeling. I have yet to come out of one of these without at least a couple hundred bucks flying out of my pocket. In all fairness a couple of times they were right and resolved potential safety issues. Still, I feel like the Wile. E. Coyote waiting for the anvil to drop on my head. Just had to vent.

tbomachines · #2 07-01-2009, 08:21 AM

Up here in CT they don't require inspections with older cars...not sure why because I would think those would be the most potentially dangerous! I literally walked into the DOT with the title, bill of sale, and insurance card, walked out with license plates and drove it home.

bustedbenz · #3 07-01-2009, 08:30 AM

In NC they don't check much on diesels except basic "Does the horn blow? Do all the lights shine? Great." Certainly never heard of dropping one off; even on gasoline vehicles where they check emissions, I've never had an inspection take more than 20-30 minutes. There's a cut-off of some kind for older stuff, but I think it's something pre-1980. Not sure, though.

LUVMBDiesels · #4 07-01-2009, 08:37 AM

Move over to WV, no emissions tests even on gassers, Inspection is at a locak gas station and goes like this...

Got Tieyars? Yep
Got glass in the winders? Yep
She start? Yep

Y'all go to go!

They did even put the car on a lift or check the brakes, horn, wipers, etc...

In NY a Diesel goes through a similar thing, but with the horn check. A gasser has to either get dynoed -- bad news for an AWD car, or if it is OBD II they read the codes -- easy to fix that - just erase them before going to get the car inspected. Not that I ever did that

Ryan Z · #5 07-01-2009, 08:40 AM

In PA they check everything once a year. I know older diesels get a pass on the emissions test. Guess in your states the cars never have any wear on them.

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1984 MB 300SD Turbo

Burnzy · #6 07-01-2009, 08:42 AM

The Mighty Old Dominion checks it up one side and down the other. They pull all your wheels, check you brakes, shocks, front end components, lights (all) they will fail you if you have a marker light burned out and offer to replace it for $20.00. windshield wipers, horn, check your headlights' and charge you $15.00 to adjust them if needed..............I could go on. I do think safety is important, and I do see many cars on the road that have NO business being driven on public highways. Where they get you is, once a shop inspects your car and it fails you have to get the item on your car fixed, and if you think they are full of crap and take it somewhere else you have to pay another $15.00 for another inspection and have them tell you the same thing and possibly even worse. It can make a reasonable person think about irrational things

racebannon · #7 07-01-2009, 08:57 AM

In VT we do it every year. This is the first year in a while that I did not pass. I've got floorpan rot - pretty bad on the passenger side, not so bad on the driver's side and the rockers are pretty bad at the jackpoints. They looked great when I bought the car, but I guess bondo and paint fooled me. I'm trying to figure out if I want to fix it or not. I've got a guy up here that can get me fixed up for $1500 - $2000 (new rockers, floorpan fix, new wheel well arches and rear quarter panels).

Anyone have a decent 123 with a shot engine?

Mark DiSilvestro · #8 07-01-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnzy

The Mighty Old Dominion checks it up one side and down the other. They pull all your wheels, check you brakes, shocks, front end components, lights (all) they will fail you if you have a marker light burned out and offer to replace it for $20.00. windshield wipers, horn, check your headlights' and charge you $15.00 to adjust them if needed..............I could go on. I do think safety is important, and I do see many cars on the road that have NO business being driven on public highways. Where they get you is, once a shop inspects your car and it fails you have to get the item on your car fixed, and if you think they are full of crap and take it somewhere else you have to pay another $15.00 for another inspection and have them tell you the same thing and possibly even worse. It can make a reasonable person think about irrational things

They're supposed to reinspect for $1 if you bring it back within 15 days.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Burnzy · #9 07-01-2009, 09:34 AM

You're right Mark. But if you want to have it inspected by someone else you have to pay for another inspection and open yourself up to more potential bad news. Kinda like playing Let's Make a Deal.

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 07-01-2009, 09:51 AM

Those inspectors can get in real trouble if they're caught overlooking even seemingly minor issues like marker lights. OTOH, maybe you need to find a better inspector.
Just had 'Ol'Blue', my 'new' 82 240D inspected without any problems. But I try to go over my cars beforehand. I'm sure my inspector gets to see some real clunkers come through his bay.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Burnzy · #11 07-01-2009, 09:59 AM

I remember, many moons ago when an inspection was something that was done while you waited. In high school I dated a girl who's dad owned a service station, best inspections ever!! Pull up, grab a soda from the cooler and tell "dad" how great his daughter was. Ten minutes later, new sticker and a legal car to "entertain" his daughter in. He didn't even charge me for the soda. Those were the days!

mplafleur · #12 07-01-2009, 10:48 AM

Safety inspection?
Emissions inspection?

What are those?

dlevitt · #13 07-01-2009, 11:20 AM

The current New York inspection does not require a wheel to be removed, if the rotor surface is visible. Years ago, pulling a wheel was required.

So, I took my Audi 100 to an 'official inspection station'. The mechanic puts the car on a lift, and removes the left front wheel. Then he puts it back on and removes the right front wheel.

Then, looking extremely puzzled, he walks over to where I was waiting and asks "OK, where are the brakes?"