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Problem with VA safety inspection.

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic Region - USA (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA)' started by Jtthomas, May 3, 2005.

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  1. Jtthomas

    Jtthomas Guest

    Jun 15, 2004
    30
    Greensboro,NC
    #1 Jtthomas, May 3, 2005
    Just a quick question to all you N. Virginia( Richmond) guys. My buddy recently took his car into a local dealership to have a safety inspection and had a few problems. They did not pass it. I feel that they may be taking him for a ride.

    These are the reasons they gave him for failing it. First, they put the car on a frame machine and said it had been previously damaged. He was fully aware of this . They also say that it needs new brake pads(around 30% left). The radio will not turn on. what??? The battery has a hold down, but not a tray under it. Is it just me, or does this seem a little too picky?
    You guys have any suggestions on a good place to get an inspection that is more reasonable? After all, it it a safety inspection.

    Thanks
     
  2. MDshore348

    MDshore348 Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2004
    2,460
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Darron
    #2 MDshore348, May 3, 2005
    a couple of c notes ought to buy you some look - overs...:)
     
  3. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    69,680
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    #3 DGS, May 3, 2005
    There's danged little accountability going on with the VA inspection program. About 12 years ago, a shop in VA Beach failed the Alfa Spider for "the blower switch".

    That one confused me, as it doesn't even have a supercharger. It turned out that they failed it for the defroster switch. In a convertible. The switch they sold me didn't match the original -- it was from an Alfa about ten years newer.

    Never take a car for inspection to a shop that wants to work on it. I usually take my cars to the local corner gas station -- who are well aware that they aren't going to be the shop to do repairs on exotic sports cars.

    The only down-side to that is the FFX county emissions inspection: They had a heck of a time trying to identify the EGR valve on the EVO. (Why? If it passes what comes out the back, what do the button sorters care how -- EGR, computer magic, or a hydrocarbon-snorting poltergeist.)
     
  4. scca_ev

    scca_ev Rookie

    May 2, 2005
    18
    #4 scca_ev, May 4, 2005
    Sounds like BS to me. Here is a link to the items they can inspect and the reasons the car can fail http://leg1.state.va.us/000/reg/TOC19030.HTM#C0070

    I had a problem once with an inspection, they told me my shocks were bad, I pulled up the regulations and showed it to them. My shocks did not fail according to the book. When they gave me a hard time, I told them I would call the state police (they administer the program) and let them decide. They quickly changed their mind and passed the vehicle.

    BTW, There is no mention of the battery in the code when I did the search.
     
  5. AntonyR

    AntonyR F1 Veteran

    Apr 12, 2004
    5,426
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Antony
    #5 AntonyR, May 9, 2005
    you do need a battery tie down and a sufficient support for the battery. The reason behind this is that if you get in an accident, the battery wont fly around and ignite the gas or whatever under the hood.

    Most places over look this and pas you but some are a$$holes. Your best bet is to fix it or if you like just go down to a gas station in a bad area and ask them to do it.

    I know all this cause I use to have a car that was not street legal and would go through a lot of work to get tags for it. In my case I just paid the guy 200 bucks


    Antony
     
  6. scca_ev

    scca_ev Rookie

    May 2, 2005
    18
    #6 scca_ev, May 11, 2005
    I agree for safeties sake you should have a tie down, but unless you can find it as part of the inspection laws/regulations they shouldn't be able to fail it. (I included the link in an above post).

    Ask to see the section where the battery hold down is mentioned as an inspection item. I sure can't find it..
     
  7. NigelM5

    NigelM5 Karting

    Feb 22, 2004
    79
    Alexandria, Virginia
    Full Name:
    NIGEL
    #7 NigelM5, May 16, 2005
    Jttthomas - You need to find a more 'friendly' inspection center. There is so much variability around NoVA. Good luck.
     
  8. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

    Aug 13, 2002
    3,821
    Santa Fe, NM
    #8 Bryanp, May 17, 2005
    I use the shady outfit in Shirlington, just off of 395 on Four Mile Run - they would pass a donkey w/a cart.
     
  9. k1ng73

    k1ng73 Rookie

    Sep 14, 2004
    13
    Arlington, VA
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey King
    #9 k1ng73, May 17, 2005
    That is obserd... They do not put your car on a machine for frame damage for a emissions or general inspection. The radio has nothing to do with the inspection process. For the inspection portion they are making sure the wipers, turn signals, horn, and lights work etc.

    Where is your friend located? If he is in the Arlington, VA area let me know. I get 3-4 exotics inspected a week on four mile run.

    Jeff [email protected]
     

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