Originally Posted By: Shark
Originally Posted By: BMOC
As a State Inspector in VA I'd like to weigh in on this. First and foremost, regardless of what people want you to believe, they have inspections because it is a form of revenue for the state. $16 per car times however many cars are in VA, you get the idea. Second, if you know someone, and they are willing to do it, you can get anything to pass. I will not do that, because not only is my inspection license on the line, I can lose my driver's license, and go to jail/prison. If I were to pass a tire that failed by VA standards for instance, they go out and have a blow out and kill someone, I get charged. People tend to not understand that part lol. We just do our job, while I do not agree with some of the rules, I don't make them up. And I have failed numerous cars that shouldn't have been on the road. Do I believe they help prevent accidents? Maybe, but who knows. Your car might be fine today but something breaks tomorrow, that can't be predicted. A lot of times the only time someone has their brakes, tires, suspension, steering, etc checked is when inspection time comes.
Is it true that VA will fail you for ridiculous things like a leaking power steering pump or other wetness from a oil source? Heard this [censored] from some lib relatives that are in Alexandria.
Yes and no lol. When the Trooper gave me my practical he said to fail vehicles for leaking power steering systems, even small ones. I talked with two master techs I work with (have a combined 50-60 years inspecting cars) after the exam and they told me they only fail vehicles for power steering leaks if it leaks as fast as you can pour it in (basically won't ever happen). You can't fail a vehicle for an oil leak, only for a brake fluid or fuel leak.