Safety Inspection failed for visual...

IHScott

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Location
Monroe NC
I bought a truck last week, won't give me a plate until it's inspected. Its an 87, and only needs a safety inspection. Has dual exhaust with no cats, so they wouldn't pass it?. Told me to get some cats, and bring it back and it will pass. What kind of crap is that? I don't have a bunch of money to put cats on this thing. What does seeing cats on a vehicle that doesn't need emissions have to do with safety..... Now i'm cruising around with no plate, and a sheet of paper to show the cops when they pull me over that gives me 10 days to get inspected. Uhggg, rant over.
Anyone know of any more leaniant stations in the charlotte, indian trail area?
 
Visual/Safety still includes ALL OEM installed emissions equipment. Just because you don't have computer to hook up or need a sniffer in the tail pipe, doesn't mean you can rip all the OEM installed stuff off, they are obligated to pop the hood and take a peek under the vehicle to ensure all equipment is still there, although not necessarily if it is functional.

I'm sure the above listed inspector would not appreciate his name being listed in a public forum, that is just begging to be seen by the wrong eyes and have his inspection license taken from him and a fine... Best to keep that information to a private message. If I were you I would delete your post above with the guy's name and location, for his sake.

With that said, it is just a visual inspection, you can run fake cats, hi flow cats, etc and pass, as long as it looks correct. There are even cats sold online that are already hollowed out with a straight tube and what looks like an oem outer cat shell.
 
The only problem with going to another station is that you are already in the system for failing due to the cats not being there so the new inspector hqs to say that you installed them to pass you. Basically it puts his a$$ on the line if he is audited. Just my .02
 
Mulishajoe said:
The only problem with going to another station is that you are already in the system for failing due to the cats not being there so the new inspector hqs to say that you installed them to pass you. Basically it puts his a$$ on the line if he is audited. Just my .02
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He didn't put it in the computer. Looked it over, said everything else looked good but the exhaust. Said if he did, he would need to charge me when he knew he needed to fail me. So he just didn't do it. Told me with cats it would pass. Think i found some economical cats to put on it, we'll see. Thanks for the info fellas. Im not from here, so i really didn't do my homework as stated above. In NM, a safety inspection is just that, making sure all your safety equipment is good.
 
and for the record, I'm not at all saying that they will pass you, or anyone else just off the cuff, but merely that he's a good guy with a lot of experience and maybe able to help. As in make suggestions on what can be done to pass legally for little money out of pocket. It's a stand up shop and he's a stand up guy.
 
how the hell do they know what OEM equipment came on an old vehicle anyway?
 
That little sheet you get back after your inspection, where they enter your year, make, model, etc in the computer, produces a list of standard equipment to be checked. Most, but not all came with cats along with other emissions systems after 76. My 78 had no cats from the factory, as it is a heavy GVWR 1 ton truck, but did have PCV and heat riser that is checked. Now it is 35 years old, and is considered a "classic" and no longer requires a yearly inspection in NC.
 
in NC it's 35yrs or older which require no safety inspection (ran into that with pop's 77gremlin when i did new exhaust)
 
My 77 CJ-7 had NON-CATALYST printed right on the dashboard VIN sticker. I would always have to point that out to inspectors, because their book showed it needed a cat.
 
Bogleparsons said:
how the hell do they know what OEM equipment came on an old vehicle anyway?
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the same way you know what kind of oil filter to use. Ever seen a service manual? Bingo.
 
Was the truck bought from a individual or a car dealer? If it's a dealer.....it's illegal to sell a vehicle in NC that won't pass. I just went through this in February on a deal between a dealer and my father. After I called and asked for his Attorney's address and phone number very calmly I got his attention. He drove 30+ miles on a Saturday to bring my father a check for the full amount + $200 for my fathers time and took the vehicle back. I never threatened him at all but was very cool about his Attorney"s info. Good luck.
 
I see you said dual exaust but is it a single int dual? If so I think I have an empty cat shell you can have just cut out your old pipe n bolt this one in... they didnt say it had to work ... just has to be there right? ;)
 
I appreciate all the info, responses, and the Help. I got it taken care of. Picking up some universal, high flow cats today for a great price. Thanks alot.
 
Mountain MJ said:
I see you said dual exaust but is it a single int dual? If so I think I have an empty cat shell you can have just cut out your old pipe n bolt this one in... they didnt say it had to work ... just has to be there right? ;)
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If it looks like a cat, basically all it needs. I hate the way NC has there laws about this. It is backwards. I have to pass a car, that is smoking running so rich it hurt your eyes. why do I have to pass it because it has everything its suppose to . wth dumb
 
LOL another reason Ill be glad when I move to SC.... I see some cars out there that you KNOW didn't pass inspection, guess its all in who you know.
 
Mountain MJ said:
guess its all in who you know.
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This. I have all my work done at a local place here, everything from oil changes to tires. I have never had a problem getting any of my vehicles passed even with infractions such as tint or minimal tire tread. None of my vehicles are OBD I though, so my emissions and computer codes have to be up to par.
 
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