Vehicle Inspections in Virginia

[@richardanderson7832]

It's to the point lot of shop refuse or say they are too busy to do them and say just drop them off over night. I don't think they are even inspecting them just put the stickers on after hours to make extra money without have to use the mechanics.

[@alephnot000]

The wonderful Commonwealth of Virginia has a safety inspection. The problem is: Inspections are only done at automotive shops and parts dealers. These inspection sites can only charge $16, so when a car comes in for it's annual inspection, the shop is automatically losing money, so there is an incentive for the shop to invent something wrong with the car in order to make some money from the inspection. There is an inherent Conflict-of-Interest with this scheme. As there is no direct evidence that a safety inspection reduced highway fatalities, I hold that the Virginia safety inspection is futile and creates an unnecessary burden for it's citizens.

[@AEFarnam]

Also, any dealership that you buy a vehicle from that gives you free inspections for life? All that is is a way to get you back every year and tell you that you have problems that don't really need to be fixed. We bought a vehicle from Ron rosner in Fredericksburg a 2011 Nissan Murano and they had just put new lights and new tires on it. So we take it back a year later only having added 6,000 miles to it and they tell my wife that the lights are too blue. I called the guy and told them these are the same lights that you put on the vehicle last year, and he said well they're too blue and I said well is it how do you test if they're blue what's the what's the testing procedure he had no answer, because it was a scam. Long story short, we didn't have to have the lights replaced but if my wife hadn't called me she would have just paid for it, and that's what I think they do is that you know rich people and maybe five to eight times out of 10 people just going to say pay it cuz they want the inspection

[@angeldn10]

just go to a gas station

[@shipmastershadowofintent5249]

No one gives a shit . Place I go to I love it. Guy walks out he asks if there's any issues if I say no he smacks the sticker on my car. Nothing is ever wrong with my vehicle

[@richardhutchison5516]

I miss the News. Reporters who show both sides of the story instead just showing the last inspector and making it seem like this is how everyone is.

[@BJBros35]

I can explain exactly what's Goin on here. Im a WV state inspector. We actually inspect cars the right way. If a tie rod end is loose especially the outer one then it gets rejected. If the inner tie rod is loose it actually can be failed but I only fail them if it's super excessive. You dont have to pull fucking wheels to check the brakes and that's the one thing that pisses me off more than anything. If you have a five spoke rim and can clearly see there's like 3/4 inch of pad than I,m safe to assume the brakes are good! I got fucked the other week on brakes though because in WV AND VA you have to pull a wheel from the front and the rear, I actually did because I do on the steel wheels. I saw the brakes were good on the rear on THAT side. However they came back complaining about a grinding noise and the brakes just started grinding on the other side where I didnt pull a wheel. SO they had Calibur slides

[@mattdicus2839]

It's all about the money and most people don't have it

[@fishodorvagina]

This is nothing but a money racket for the state. There has never been an accident caused by mechanical failure, only driver error.

[@fishodorvagina]

***** I'm just saying there has never been an accident caused by mechanical faults, at least not in my state of Florida-and we don't have inspections. Even if we did have inspections, you're still not safe, because you would have cars coming in from out-of-state, states that don't have inspections, driving on your roads putting your safety at risk, same thing with emissions testing, people would come in from out-of-state polluting your air that you're trying to clean up.

[@tjoy1011]

fishodorvagina

[@fishodorvagina]

***** Those vans can't always get an accurate reading on your exhaust as you pass by, especially on windy days. However, if they do detect high emissions level on cars passing by, they can only take repair action on the ones registered in VA, not the ones registered out-of-state.

[@_Common_Logic_]

+fishodorvagina You said "I'm just saying there has never been an accident caused by mechanical faults, at least not in my state of Florida"... Might want to re-check that. There Are HUNDREDS of them. It's inevitable. Here's one that both SUPPORTS AND DEBUNCTS your claim: "A Mobile jury recently delivered a verdict to a man who was paralyzed when the brakes failed on the 18-wheeler he was driving, sending the semi into the center median and rolling it. He was awarded 18.79 MILLION dollars." There's just one example of a mechanical failure causing an accident in Florida, BUT WAIT FISHY!... "In the investigation into the cause of the accident, it was found that Empire Mechanical Services had conducted a preventive maintenance inspection a month prior to the accident, during which time the company had failed to reattach the lateral control rod. It was during this inspection that a defect was also created in the truck’s braking system."... Holy WTF? The inspection WAS THE REASON for the brake failure!!! Fact: Most drivers are not mechanics, and can't be trusted to regularly change their own oil, let alone keep a safely maintained vehicle. Fact: Proper safety inspections WOULD keep a number of unfit cars from being used on the roadway possibly saving lives. Fact: There ARE NO PROPER SAFETY INSPECTIONS in place by any State at this time. They are all a farce. You're correct in your thinking when it comes to visiting traffic. If the State Government TRULY cared about removing all safety hazards from the road, all visiting traffic would need to be cleared with a temporary permit to travel within the State. Not a feasible solution, but hey... "If it saves ONE life", right? I did offer a more realistic solution in a reply to the video above. We need to remove the PROFIT from all angles of these scams before anyone takes them seriously. Source: www.pensacolaattorney.com/alabama-truck-driver-awarded-18-million-for-truck-accident-caused-by-negligent-repair/ Oh, yeah... helluva screen name ;) Investigators noted that mechanical failure led to the bus crash. The bus was found to have a faulty emergency brake and had no exhaust brake. - See more at: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/347948/news/nation/driver-in-florida-bus-crash-the-brakes-failed#sthash.dW0JeMZA.dpuf Investigators noted that mechanical failure led to the bus crash. The bus was found to have a faulty emergency brake and had no exhaust brake. - See more at: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/347948/news/nation/driver-in-florida-bus-crash-the-brakes-failed#sthash.dW0JeMZA.dpuf Investigators noted that mechanical failure led to the bus crash. The bus was found to have a faulty emergency brake and had no exhaust brake. - See more at: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/347948/news/nation/driver-in-florida-bus-crash-the-brakes-failed#sthash.dW0JeMZA.dpuf

[@_Common_Logic_]

+fishodorvagina You said "I'm just saying there has never been an accident caused by mechanical faults, at least not in my state of Florida"... Might want to re-check that. There Are HUNDREDS of them. It's inevitable. Here's one that both SUPPORTS AND DEBUNCTS your claim: In Florida "A Mobile jury recently delivered a verdict to a man who was paralyzed when the brakes failed on the 18-wheeler he was driving, sending the semi into the center median and rolling it. He was awarded 18.79 MILLION dollars." There's just one example of a mechanical failure causing an accident in Florida, BUT WAIT FISHY!... "In the investigation into the cause of the accident, it was found that Empire Mechanical Services had conducted a preventive maintenance inspection a month prior to the accident, during which time the company had failed to reattach the lateral control rod. It was during this inspection that a defect was also created in the truck’s braking system."... Holy WTF? The inspection WAS THE REASON for the brake failure!!! Fact: Most drivers are not mechanics, and can't be trusted to regularly change their own oil, let alone keep a safely maintained vehicle. Fact: Proper safety inspections WOULD keep a number of unfit cars from being used on the roadway possibly saving lives. Fact: There ARE NO PROPER SAFETY INSPECTIONS in place by any State at this time. They are all a farce. You're correct in your thinking when it comes to visiting traffic. If the State Government TRULY cared about removing all safety hazards from the road, all visiting traffic would need to be cleared with a temporary permit to travel within the State. Not a feasible solution, but hey... "If it saves ONE life", right? I did offer a more realistic solution in a reply to the video above. We need to remove the PROFIT from all angles of these scams before anyone takes them seriously. Source: www.pensacolaattorney.com/alabama-truck-driver-awarded-18-million-for-truck-accident-caused-by-negligent-repair/ Oh, yeah... helluva screen name ;)

[@CharlesMasterTech]

I hate inspections because as a technician that is all you get all damn day and it’s annoying so I make shit wrong with a car

[@jonramos7296]

They don’t care about your safety they care about the money you spent to get your car “safe”

[@HelloKindWorld]

I'm taking my car to Amoco from now on!

[@cpubugs]

Wow... What a hand job for the absolute snow job that is Vehicle Inspections..

[@paulwyland2926]

This is bs. I moved from Ohio to Virginia and I used to complain about the emissions there but my car from Ohio still failed the safety check after fixing the original issues. It's annoying.

[@jdiwkall]

I FUCKEN HATE VA SAFETY inspection. These guys will rip you off like crazy. I mean I realize that safety inspection is good but letting these private ripoff-ers overcharge you for everything is really bad for consumers.

[@jdiwkall]

if the STATE requries you to get inspection you should really allow trustworthy auto shops to do it....my problem is once they find a problem they OVERCHARGE YOU LIKE CRAZY...and it's hard to get around it.

[@jonramos7296]

joe blow if your state does car safety inspections you’re better off moving to another state you’ll save money

[@jamesjackson7463]

It is not the State’s responsibility to ensure a private vehicle is safe! There is no evidence that proves States with vehicle safety inspections saves lives or injuries. This whole State safety inspection process and requirement is a complete waste of time and money and we should end the requirement in the commonwealth. All it does it waste my time once a year and cost me money. I would gladly go to a service center who just gives me the sticker and not the inspection! Our State police have better things to do than pull over otherwise law-abiding citizens just because their safety decal has expired.

[@snuball65]

I HATE it when they "go over my car carefully".... just give me the damn sticker and leave me alone.

[@markangel2919]

Don’t worry about my muffler delete!

[@blackhawk1920]

I’m a state inspector we only care about cat deletes, that will fail inspection, it’s illegal for excessive noise but muffler deletes don’t count for state inspections

[@MrMatt2066]

1.44 for gas! Man I miss those days

[@gregorykrupa5527]

1.60 where I'm at

[@nra7437]

This aged well

[@chetthedebt2169]

Worst part about inspections is that they slap that "rejected" sticker on your windshield if you don't get the repairs done at their shop. Can't even go elsewhere without having the next mechanic influenced by the previous shop's rejection. It really doesn't behoove the mechanics to pass cars without issue anyway. They'll poke and prod until they find something borderline that they can mark as a safety violation. It's a money grab and unfortunately, those with older cars get hit the hardest.

[@HeyItsEDB]

I hate Va state inspection....

[@trapperjohn2462]

Florida used to have car inspections. It was a waste of time and money. Just more bureaucratic BS. Florida highways are safe without BS inspections.

[@n310ea]

I remember, it was abolished in 1981. Then they started the emissions inspection program from 1991-2000. Thank god they are both gone.

[@jonramos7296]

Trapper John I agree

[@OrderoftheHammer]

The condition of the vehicle is "nothing" compared to the condition of the driver.

[@nunyabidness9301]

Explain to me why a BRAND NEW CAR requires a safety inspection.

[@heavymechanic2]

Some shops take advantage of needed repairs because people are at their mercy to have a legal sticker and avoid fines that are questionable. I believe in having a safe vehicle but government interference is unsettling.

[@jumanjii1]

I should never have moved to this state. The minute I registered my car in this state, literally minutes, a state trooper pulled me over for not having a state inspection sticker and gave me a hundred dollar ticket. I should have turned around and left this F'up state. Next stop, Florida.

[@thomasharder9916]

Do electric windows have to work

[@blackhawk1920]

I’m a state inspector only the driver front window

[@BGinsz1709]

I was an inspector. I turned in my license and said I'm over it. I was overworked, underpaid and when cars needed legitimate repairs I didn't have time to focus and finish in a timely manner. The dealerships don't care, they just want a sucker to crank stickers out of. I worked at 3 of them. Same schemes. Act legit when the troopers come in, do whatever it takes to get shit done when they leave. But in the end the inspectors take all the risks and blame. If you're not careful your co-workers will even steal your stickers and watch you go to jail.

[@thechum9653]

is triangle ammco in triangle,va??im boutta go there frfr

[@gchsbus]

Haha Me too !!!

[@TheCriticalChris]

Comment of the day!

[@bcole1637]

yoooo she violated with bring the cops into it...they should just pass everybody and keep it moving, if there is something wrong with the car then let that person or persons get the car fixed some other time instead of failing them if they cant pay for whatever is wrong with the car...some people cant afford those repairs right off the bat, I say cut some folks a break...pass them now, fix the vehicle later

[@OriginalPotatotube]

Agreed, this journalist is a dick.

[@letsgoracing78]

Thank God they don't do this Crap in Washington.

[@TheJhg124]

“Went home and cried that night” …well she definitely is a liberal now days

[@gchsbus]

I am not sure what she is talking about where she says you can't renew the registration if the car fails. I have worked with several companies managing vehicle fleets. Some vehicles are registered in Virginia by Virginia companies but are garaged several states away. They have never been to Virginia nor have they been inspected. They usually only get them inspected if they need to bring them to Virginia for something. They have had many fleet vehicles that have never been to Virginia and still renew the registration just fine. Not sure what she is talking about.

[@mechdad88]

I am an inspector and I can tell you I would rather not do inspections. They pay next to nothing and you have to jump through hoops to keep your license. Then you have people saying that you're ripping them off. It's a big fing headache!

[@zacharymurdock445]

mechdad88 Right on, couldn't of said it better myself.

[@godsgrace201]

I had this happen to me in Harrisonburg at the Midas. I will never forget and they have scarred me. they told me I needed all new tires and when I said I would take it to Costco across the street, they told me I had to get them there because the car was already of the lift and they couldn't let me leave without replacing them. I should have called my mom but I was there with my newborn son and he was ready to go so I just let them smh. bunch of crooks taking advantage of girls.

[@lashlarue7924]

It's a racket and a SCAM.

[@chrisslagle9586]

Harrisonburg Midas told me I needed power steering pump and my rack and pinion is leaking and gave me a $1,000 estimate I just had a rack and pinion put in it year earlier at the Nissan place in Staunton for $560 so it's almost double

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

You can thank the VA State Police for supporting this racket.

[@johnnyrobinson8168]

Dammm, Virginia is tough!

[@Outdoorsforum]

I'd fail a Buick Regal simply for being a Buick Regal...

[@MukoroJr]

🤣🤣🤣

[@HelloKindWorld]

...checking the clearcoat for scratches...

[@HelloKindWorld]

$700 for tie rod ends?!

[@user-iz9yc3rg5e]

I know of a couple shops near us who overcharged like that. Sad to say they are still in business.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

That's just one example, this is a big scam.

[@TheCriticalChris]

You can argue up or down on the merits of being one of the few states with vehicle inspections, but, if it must be done, state/commonwealth level oversight of such inspections ought to be done by 'civilian' civil servants working in an agency analogous to California's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), and not by armed, 'sworn' police officers that need 1/2 million dollars in screening and training before they even begin their appointments as new troopers.

[@ChadFreeman757]

Stethoscope type light?

[@TheMa124]

Some inspectors making mad money by selling stickers ..

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

The inspector was rough on my car, and tried several ways to break it. ASK me, IF YOU CARE (I bet you won't).

[@scrappyclappedoutfoxbody4174]

I fail lots. Law is the law. Money in the bank. And it’s not required to removing wheels anymore when you can see to inspect. And no longer have to check headlight aiming. 🎉

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

One inspector I used to go to would charge me every inspection to adjust my headlights. VA State Police scam.

[@leoguy1609]

Average inspection in my state takes 1 hour.

[@MrMundo3d]

+Leo Guy my 15 min, with check engine light, love my shop

[@leoguy1609]

+MrMundo3d Some inspection shops in New Hampshire suck.

[@ryans413]

Here Canada 70 minutes

[@yahyaahmad2582]

God Damn in this case i should move to VA im in jersey and im a inspector as well and we only do emission inspection here if you want me to be that strict i will no doubt about that 😂 😂 😂

[@Standingwithfeast]

Also many customers have no patience, they literally fight over who's car to get in the bay first. You reject them for all rejectable, and the car is in very bad shape ball joint about to fall of. Customer still curse you out, call the manager and say you are a liar. After demonstrating the problems there is no apologies for calling you a liar. That is my experience, maybe it is because the ghetto area I work at. However, any where I go you can't please everyone, so I don't even bother.

[@DrSpike666]

Va inspections are a joke, I've had all 4 of mine last under 10 mins.

[@punishmint]

They need to check martsons garage he only checked like 9 things and i passed then i went to another mechanic and i falied because the 9 things martsons garage said were safe actully needed to be repaired ASAP

[@johndewling9069]

Crystal_ Mint can I get an address plz ?

[@Fernando-ih6sj]

I remember when a trooper abuse his power of authority and gave a ticket for $50, for unsafe to change lane, he saw me when he was giving a ticket to another car, and right after me he pull over two more cars in a parking lot. Dont you love bad c..s! I done rides with MCPD and i'm always on their side but there is always a bad inspector and a bad ..p

[@BiggBrodie]

I wish they were here where i stay lol inspections are annoying 3 mins and they barely look! I would drive to them just for the sticker lol

[@jasperjones6962]

These cops should stick to there donut shop inspections they are not qualified to comment on automobiles.

[@drrodz4968]

No car inspection for Virginia 2019...Stop oppressing the poor with all that car regulations.

[@Standingwithfeast]

many inspectors are pressured by both the shop and the customers. The customers don't know and don't care. The service managers and writers now many have no automotive repair experience so they just write tickets and distributes jobs without discretion. You work like a dog trying to check everything to protect yourself. Yet, good jobs are given to others who are less qualify. The more you know the less you make and harder you work. lf the industry is not so screw up, it won't be so bad.

[@21daytona502]

Is the parking brake tested and if so how is that test done? Thank you in advance to anyone who answers that.

[@ryans413]

21daytona502 They just pull the handbrake if it stay up and engaged it’s fine. The foot brake they just push on it if it’s sloppy it’s no good. I do believe some shops take the car for a drive and they test brakes then.

[@MacMayne]

Ryan Scherbluk can u pass w an abs & trac off light on

[@blackhawk1920]

I’m a state inspector, you pull the handbrake or foot pedal e brake and slightly accelerate in the drive gear or 1st gear if it’s a manual, if the car moves with slight acceleration, the parking brake fails inspection

[@erin19030]

Cowboy bob?

[@outofprovinceinspect]

I am so glad that the vehicle inspection laws up here in Canada are some what more followed. I guess it has to do with the cold, snowy weather we get. Need to make sure the vehicle can handle the bad weather.

[@ryans413]

Out Of Province Inspection Got my car inspected passed with flying carpets. Also gave me a copy of everything they checked all green. Take care of your cars they’ll pass every time.

[@ComeOnPelican91]

Wahmen most effected by questionable legislation

[@noonerofl]

How can something that results in legal penalties be privatized? How can they expect inspectors to spend 20 minutes on each car plus overhead for $16? Shops lose money on each inspection, it generates a conflict of interest. I rather inspections be state run, or let the shops charge whatever their hourly rate is for an inspection.

[@jzwheeler1528]

Want to be a VA State Inspector? Go to Ebay and purchase training from a expert.

[@NEVERFORGET2PRAY]

Im an inspector and believe it or not i am only concerned with safety. I don't care to do the repairs and i don't even quote repairs. I treat each car the same and some hate me but most love me. But im human.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Do you try to break the vehicles? My last inspection the inspector power-braked the car to "test" the motor mounts and after returning home the trans fluid was no longer red but has a burned look to it. He was very rough with my car, doing chinups on the exhaust and now I have a PO442 EVAP leak to fix as well.

[@jonramos7296]

We need more shops like this

[@UnBiasedConsumer]

Karen lol

[@zacharymurdock445]

I personally did not work on this vehicle first hand and I do not know, what condition the vehicle was in at that time but...... The girl at 5:15 is exactly right she knows nothing about vehicles; she drives a 1988 or 1989 i don't know how old this video is, but I see a 1995 or newer Ford Explorer in it. Some people seem to believe that Automotive Technicians are out to get them, and are quick to give us a bad name when something is wrong with their old car, instead of just accepting the fact that you car is getting old. Do you know how hard it is to be a certified mechanic? Take it from me it's not easy. I just graduated from college on 3/26/15 with a degree in Automotive. You have to have 2 years of shop experience before even getting your Virginia state Inspection license. So let me share with you a little piece of information, This applies to MOST, BUT NOT ALL, 1995- or older vehicles with OBD I {on board diagnostic system}, or no PCM at all: AFTER 100,000 miles (because of wear and tear) you need to start replacing things such as (but not limited to): All engine and transmission seals, timing chain (or belt), measurements need to be taken of the internal engine components (to see if they are in manufacture specs) such as: (pistons, rods, rockers, valves, springs, etc), belt driven accessories that are weak or starting to have intermittent problems, wiring and connectors that are starting to show corrosion (high resistance) or other potential electrical problems, hoses, key engine components that are likely to have problems (thermostat, hoses, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap (carbureted engines) or ignition coil (fuel injected), fuel injectors (f.i.), catalytic converters (that's why your cars acceleration may seem sluggish, and not the transmission as most people think {if you take care of your transmission that is}, and most importantly: SUSPENSION COMPONENTS! Tie rod ends, and ball joints should not move freely back and forth at the steering knuckles, they should move but only if a good amount of force is applied. And one mechanics opinion on how much play it has may be different from another's.

[@joncellica2000]

I wish they had this in Tennessee!! Lots of junk on the roads here!!!!!!!!

[@connorshekelstein6432]

joncellica2000 Im glad they aint here in TN

[@paulbarlow8286]

Worn tie rod ends, wheel bearings and ball joints need to be addressed and fixed. When was the last time anyone checked these components themselves? Yearly inspections have literally saved me from the accidents caused by a wheel flying off. I used to drive 60K miles a year so the wear and tear adds up fast!

[@jtadpole139]

There's good and bad places all around the world it is you the consumer to decide if the place is good or bad but we need places like these to make sure the car next to you or behind you is safe how would you like if the person driving behind you and rear ends you and ether kills you or makes you desabled for the rest of your life think about that before you start thinking the government is trying to rip you off

[@fishodorvagina]

Here in Florida we don't have inspections, and we don't have mechanical related accidents.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

My guess is you're naive.

[@sylvester3018]

Because most accidents are Caused by people not paying attention.