I was wondering is it better to take your vehicle to your dealer or local gas station to do the annual inspection. Are there any perks for taking it to the dealer? I have 30K and bought the car new 3 years ago. Thanks

horrible question

osmosis11 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was wondering is it better to take your vehicle
> to your dealer or local gas station to do the
> annual inspection. Are there any perks for taking
> it to the dealer? I have 30K and bought the car
> new 3 years ago. Thanks


Yea the perk is a gigantic list of shit that does not need to be done to your car

I know that but im not a fool when it comes to vehicles. I just thought the technicians focus more on doing a real inspection instead of half ass

I don't think I've ever walked out of a dealership without it costing at least $150. That's how dealerships make their money. They make comparatively little from selling cars. The service departments keep those places going.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

osmosis11 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I know that but im not a fool when it comes to
> vehicles. I just thought the technicians focus
> more on doing a real inspection instead of half
> ass


Why would you care if a technician did "a real inspection." Do you want to fail an inspection?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

osmosis11 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I know that but im not a fool when it comes to
> vehicles. I just thought the technicians focus
> more on doing a real inspection instead of half
> ass


Well, if they fail your car then you have no option but to get it fixed. Not much to a inspection- brakes, tires, lights, wipers and horn.

Add to that...

Exhaust, emissions, ball joints, shocks, tie rods...

A safety inspection is the same everywhere. It's dictated by the state.

You also probably have scheduled maintenance due at 30K. Your car should come with a manual that tells you what needs to be done. You can usually get it cheaper at an independent shop rather than the dealer, but you have to find a good and honest shop.

I find it ironic that this thread appeared in this forum. About 3 months ago, DC stopped performing safety inspections on the vehicles registered in the city. Next time you're in DC and you get rear-ended, get a good lawyer so you can prove their brakes were truly faulty because if an annual safety inspection had been performed, the flaw would have been detected. You'll make a tidy sum and probably never have to work another day in your life.

The cost of an annual VA inspection is the same no matter where you go and they look for the same things as the criteria is mandated by the Commonwealth of VA. If you're getting your 30K maintenance done, have the dealer do the inspection. It's like $15. At 30K, you should be fine.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Just register your car in Georgia, they dont require inspections there.

Snapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A safety inspection is the same everywhere. It's
> dictated by the state.
>

While the letter of the law may define a "standard" safety inspection, they are most definitely NOT the same everywhere. You'll find some inspectors with a hair up their ass who will fail you for some completely bogus issue (ex. aftermarket parking lens not having a DOT serial number), and others who check only the real safety related items (tires, brakes, lights, etc.)

I'm personally happy for Virginia's auto safety inspections. My car was placed up on the lift and the inspector pulled me out into the shop. He showed me how I had a continuous crack on both inner side-walls of my front tires. These tires were only one year old and still under warranty. Needless to say, I failed the inspection due to this issue. However, I did go back to the chink owned tire shop and fought with the bastard over the warranty and my failure of a safety inspection. I got new tires - actually a pro-rated amount and learned never to use that shop again for tires.

never buy anything from a asian. There is always some level of trickery involved.

Snapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A safety inspection is the same everywhere. It's
> dictated by the state.
>
> You also probably have scheduled maintenance due
> at 30K. Your car should come with a manual that
> tells you what needs to be done. You can usually
> get it cheaper at an independent shop rather than
> the dealer, but you have to find a good and honest
> shop.

This. To boot, many dealerships are small enough, that they just drive the car down to the corner gas station to do it, and it costs you the same, but you have to wait longer, obviously. I have had an inspection done at a dealer, but only when I had the car there for repairs or scheduled maintenance. Also, most maintenance was done outside the dealerhip at an independent shop.

T2T Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I find it ironic that this thread appeared in this
> forum. About 3 months ago, DC stopped performing
> safety inspections on the vehicles registered in
> the city. Next time you're in DC and you get
> rear-ended, get a good lawyer so you can prove
> their brakes were truly faulty because if an
> annual safety inspection had been performed, the
> flaw would have been detected. You'll make a tidy
> sum and probably never have to work another day in
> your life.

Interesting, I missed that one last month:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/14/AR2009091402794.html

However, the inspections would only look for worn pads or rotors on the brakes, not mechanical failure or flaws.

I once bought a new car and the dealer offered free inspections for a few years (don't remember exactly). That's the only way I'd take a car to a dealer for an inspection.

And I only took it once, it was more of a hassle than at a gas station...not worth it to save a lousy 16 bucks.

dont Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> never buy anything from a asian. There is always
> some level of trickery involved.

YOU NUMBA TEN ROUND AYE! I SELL HANKOOK BY GOOK TYRES! VERY GOOD MADE IN SAME FACTORY AS FAKE DOGSHIT IN HUNAN PROVINCE BY 10 YOA SLAVE LABOR. MARK UP ONLY 1000%. ALSO I SMUGGLE IN STINK BUG LARVAE AND SNAKEHEAD FISH IN TYRES.

GREEN&GOLD BITCHES, WUTANG!

I noticed that while i did my inspection at a gas station. The dealer next to it would bring their cars to the gas station to perform the inspections. Dishonesty.

inspectee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm personally happy for Virginia's auto safety
> inspections. My car was placed up on the lift and
> the inspector pulled me out into the shop. He
> showed me how I had a continuous crack on both
> inner side-walls of my front tires. These tires
> were only one year old and still under warranty.
> Needless to say, I failed the inspection due to
> this issue. However, I did go back to the chink
> owned tire shop and fought with the bastard over
> the warranty and my failure of a safety
> inspection. I got new tires - actually a
> pro-rated amount and learned never to use that
> shop again for tires.

WTF does the nationality or race of the shop owner have to do with the quality of nationally sold tire? A Micheline or Pirelli is same tire no matter where it's sold. Dumbass. The vast majority of the time, if there's identical damage on more than one tire, it's from the driver running into shit, not mechanical defects.

Jarome Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> inspectee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm personally happy for Virginia's auto safety
> > inspections. My car was placed up on the lift
> and
> > the inspector pulled me out into the shop. He
> > showed me how I had a continuous crack on both
> > inner side-walls of my front tires. These
> tires
> > were only one year old and still under warranty.
>
> > Needless to say, I failed the inspection due to
> > this issue. However, I did go back to the
> chink
> > owned tire shop and fought with the bastard
> over
> > the warranty and my failure of a safety
> > inspection. I got new tires - actually a
> > pro-rated amount and learned never to use that
> > shop again for tires.
>
> WTF does the nationality or race of the shop owner
> have to do with the quality of nationally sold
> tire? A Micheline or Pirelli is same tire no
> matter where it's sold. Dumbass. The vast
> majority of the time, if there's identical damage
> on more than one tire, it's from the driver
> running into shit, not mechanical defects.

In my situation, it had a lot to do with it. The owner of the business was a sleazy bag of crap. I experienced the worst service from them. He was even a bit reluctant at first to honor the Dunlop warranty. I asked him what other recourse would I have - because Dunlop recommends that I go through the retailer for service.

Oh, the business in question is Centreville Discount Tire. It's located on Rt 29 between Picket Rd. and Union Mill Rd. I don't trust this shop any further than I can kick a stone.

Don't take it into the service station for Ourisman Fairfax Toyota on Fairfax Blvd Fairfax. I had a very bad experience with them when they did an inspection and I failed because the check engine light was on...ok no problem, fix it I told them...they said something about oxygen sensor needs to replaced ($1000), light turned off, I passed the inspection.... 4 days later the light is back on....oh you just need a new fuel cap ($24) they reset the light....check engine light was off for 10 days....next they said some charcoal filter needed replacing ($800). ok, now the check engine light turns on every 4 to 7 days then turns off for 4 to 7 days. I'm pretty much done with their over priced guessing games...either they know whats wrong with it or they don't....in my case they did not.....any suggestions for good mechanics in the gallows, 50, 66 area?

The only car we take to the dealership is the new one we bought in 2007. It's covered under the purchase plan, so that's why we do it. Other than that, we take the rest of our cars to the local mechanic for inspections. That reminds me, my inspection is due this month!

==================================================================================================
"And if any women or children get their legs torn off, or faces caved in, well, it's tough shit for them." -2LT. Bert Stiles, 505th, 339th (On Berlin Bombardier Mission, 1944).

not going to Ourisman Fairfax Toyota Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't take it into the service station for
> Ourisman Fairfax Toyota on Fairfax Blvd Fairfax. I
> had a very bad experience with them when they did
> an inspection and I failed because the check
> engine light was on...ok no problem, fix it I told
> them...they said something about oxygen sensor
> needs to replaced ($1000), light turned off, I
> passed the inspection.... 4 days later the light
> is back on....oh you just need a new fuel cap
> ($24) they reset the light....check engine light
> was off for 10 days....next they said some
> charcoal filter needed replacing ($800). ok, now
> the check engine light turns on every 4 to 7 days
> then turns off for 4 to 7 days. I'm pretty much
> done with their over priced guessing
> games...either they know whats wrong with it or
> they don't....in my case they did not.....any
> suggestions for good mechanics in the gallows, 50,
> 66 area?


I hope you mean $100 for the O2 sensor, NOT $1,000!

As for Ourisman, I had a horrible buying experience with their Alexandria Ford dealership. I would never consider them again.

==================================================================================================
"And if any women or children get their legs torn off, or faces caved in, well, it's tough shit for them." -2LT. Bert Stiles, 505th, 339th (On Berlin Bombardier Mission, 1944).

I find the safety inspection/emissions thing to be quite a hassle.

Any new cars should be free from inspection for two years and emissions for five years.

I find that going to gas stations owned by foreigners gets the inspection done fairly quickly and efficiently. If they are going to fail you for an obvious bullshit thing offer to prepay the costs for them to fix it then and there so you won't have to go back.

Don't go to dealerships or places like Midas, they will find a reason to fail your car so they can fix it at exorbitant prices.

If you're thrifty enough, look in your ValPak mailer. Usually some gas station will have a $2.00 or $3.00 off safety inspection coupon...

Now as to perks, I'm not aware of any dealership that offers free inspections (like some do on oil changes). Frankly, I'm surprised that some haven't done that just to get you into the dealership service department where they will invariably find something that is just out of warranty that must, must, must be fixed...

As to inspections, its hard to tell who is thorough and who will let items slip. NoVa doesn't seem to be like California where there are smog inspection shops that GUARANTEE you will pass the smog inspection.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2010 12:07PM by ITRADE.

Inspectee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Oh, the business in question is Centreville
> Discount Tire. It's located on Rt 29 between
> Picket Rd. and Union Mill Rd. I don't trust this
> shop any further than I can kick a stone.

Then don't go back, and I don't understand why you went there to begin with.

Try using Yelp or other online reviews before you shop.

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

It is a gamble either way. I would suggest ask local where the go. I would suggest if in or near Fx city try the Sunoco at University and Fx Blvd. They have never used the inspections to generate business. Good luck

Dane Bramage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Inspectee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Oh, the business in question is Centreville
> > Discount Tire. It's located on Rt 29 between
> > Picket Rd. and Union Mill Rd. I don't trust
> this
> > shop any further than I can kick a stone.
>
> Then don't go back, and I don't understand why you
> went there to begin with.
>
> Try using Yelp or other online reviews before you
> shop.


Correct. Yelp is becoming a great tool - and, appears to be developing daily as people keep adding their reviews. It's a tool that I now use as part of my decision process. Also, if I've received what I consider to be exceptional service, I ensure that I make an entry in Yelp to reflect that, so hopefully, other consumers will benefit too.