Question for car inspectors

Buffy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Location
Burlington, NC
So I dropped my 95 Tahoe off at the local dealership to get the horn fixed and get inspected. Was expecting just a safety inspection. The service advisor called me to tell me they failed me due to missing cats and o2 sensor, canister, and everything else that I brought it in for. Totally passed me off as there is an O2 sensor on it that I bought from them, there are no cats though.

My question is since he made an official failed report do I have to correct everything that was noted? I’ve taken cars to places that never look under the car. Royally pissed
 
Your mistake was taking to dealer, any dealer. they are there to make $$$$, you aren’t warranty so you’re gonna get hooked for anything and everything that you asked for and inspection opened you up for a shit storm.
Do you have to let them repair it ? NO, but they will have to do the reinspection now that it’s flagged In the system. Are they gonna be nice about it? Odds are not in your favor.
Does it have to be repaired ? No, you can always scrap it, but that’s not reasonable. But it will have to be able to pass visual emmisions inspection (this is part of the safety inspection) this includes a functioning check engine light (must come on at key on as light test, then go out after 10sec and remain off) you are under no obligation to “pass” emmisions as that isn’t something you’re required to pass For model year. Visual is how you failed, if the cat(s) had been hollowed and the can(s) still in place and appear to be undisturbed and you had O2 in place you would have probably been ok.
 
It appears to have actually been inspected as they printed the sheet out and left it in my seat. I did ask the service advisor if I had to bring it back to them for reinspection and he said that I did not. Looks like I will be getting some cats on it.
 
It's a 95

NC has done away with emissions inspections on vehicles older than 20 yrs

Take it to a small garage that does inspections and have the regular "safety inspection" and be done
 
Blkvoodoo said:
Your mistake was taking to dealer, any dealer. they are there to make $$$$, you aren’t warranty so you’re gonna get hooked for anything and everything that you asked for and inspection opened you up for a shit storm.
Do you have to let them repair it ? NO, but they will have to do the reinspection now that it’s flagged In the system. Are they gonna be nice about it? Odds are not in your favor.
Does it have to be repaired ? No, you can always scrap it, but that’s not reasonable. But it will have to be able to pass visual emmisions inspection (this is part of the safety inspection) this includes a functioning check engine light (must come on at key on as light test, then go out after 10sec and remain off) you are under no obligation to “pass” emmisions as that isn’t something you’re required to pass For model year. Visual is how you failed, if the cat(s) had been hollowed and the can(s) still in place and appear to be undisturbed and you had O2 in place you would have probably been ok.
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Damn you are wrong
 
Buffy said:
So I dropped my 95 Tahoe off at the local dealership to get the horn fixed and get inspected. Was expecting just a safety inspection. The service advisor called me to tell me they failed me due to missing cats and o2 sensor, canister, and everything else that I brought it in for. Totally passed me off as there is an O2 sensor on it that I bought from them, there are no cats though.

My question is since he made an official failed report do I have to correct everything that was noted? I’ve taken cars to places that never look under the car. Royally pissed
Click to expand...
No you don’t have to take it back to the station that failed you, however you will be out the money they charged you. Go to a small place tell them safety only and they will prob just pass it. I’d say more not in the open
 
GMAC said:
Damn you are wrong
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Maybe I am, I’m sure a lot has changed since I did inspections, I hated doing them, after having had the DMV pull shit trying to catch us screwing up, I tried to avoid the hell out of them.
Having owned a vehicle that was seized by DMV because it had a visor ( had catalyst info on it) and a dash with an unleaded fuel gauge, it was a 1973 GMC that never had or required it, but the parts were salvage yard items. An “inspector” notified DMV and they seized truck and investigated it, made the previous owner apply for Bonded title, which it also required a state issued VIN. Complete BS at the time.
DMV takes themselves pretty seriously about what stuff. It’s not worth dicking around trying to delete, you may get away with it but the cost if caught is way more than the repair saved.
 
That’s sounds like a crappy situation. I’ve been inspecting for over 15yrs, only at dealerships at that. A LOT has changed in that time. I personally don’t think it’s worth the hassle to put someone in that situation with the dmv, I don’t get anything out of that and the person getting screwed I would feel bad for
 
Beginning in 2023 Alamance county is starting emission testing again. I will say I was shocked at what all the mechanic marked as failed. I guess I pissed him off when I called him a lying SOB when he said there wasn’t an O2 sensor on my truck.
 
Can't an independent shop check to see if the vehicle has been flagged in DMV, Before doing their official inspection? I'd be finding an independent shop anyway, to inspect it. But you Need to go to someone you can trust, Not to screw you a Second time!
 
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