Passing Inspection $500 in MO

[GotSmart]

Missouri has joined the states that require vehicle inspections for registrations.  

Two years ago all I needed was to have it running and all the lights working.

This time  :huh:  $500 every time it went in.

First they wanted $500 to replace the steering box.  (That was the only thing wrong!) By shopping around I was able to get the box warrantied, and it was only $250 after alignment.  Unfortunately that place lost their inspection guy, so I had to go elsewhere. :dodgy:

The next place discovered I did not have Catallitic converters, so $500 to instal them.  More shopping.  $40 each online, with $150 for a complete rebuild of the exhaust system. $230. 

This took me one day past the free re inspection, so they looked again and guess what.  Lower control arm.  You know it is $500 to be installed. 

I took it to another shop where they guy wanted to go home, and it passed inspection.  

Later I might replace that part myself.  A new Moog unit is only $135.  

What is it about shops where they not only want to charge $60 to $80 an hour, but they raise the price of parts 3 times what it cost them?  I understand making a fair wage, but not ripping people off.

 

[GotSmart]

I hate fat fingers on a small computer! :blush:

 

[highdesertranger]

well I wouldn't be so fast to blame the shop. here in CA the overhead to run a auto repair shop is unbelievable. most is regulatory fees and environmental compliance fees. to keep your head above water you must make 50% mark up on parts and minimum 100 bucks an hour labor. out of this the mechanic gets 10% of the parts and 40% of the labor. the days of Walleys filling station with Gomer Pyle fixing cars is long gone. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

The local shops here are asking 3X the parts cost.

What ever happened to making a fair profit? Everyone seems to be wanting to become rich over night.

 

[highdesertranger]

well it sounds like your in Kalifornia where everyone wants to retire off your job. highdesertranger

 

[molonewolf]

Missouri has joined the states that require vehicle inspections for registrations.  

Two years ago all I needed was to have it running and all the lights working.

This time  :huh:  $500 every time it went in.

First they wanted $500 to replace the steering box.  (That was the only thing wrong!) By shopping around I was able to get the box warrantied, and it was only $250 after alignment.  Unfortunately that place lost their inspection guy, so I had to go elsewhere. :dodgy:

The next place discovered I did not have Catallitic converters, so $500 to instal them.  More shopping.  $40 each online, with $150 for a complete rebuild of the exhaust system. $230. 

This took me one day past the free re inspection, so they looked again and guess what.  Lower control arm.  You know it is $500 to be installed. 

I took it to another shop where they guy wanted to go home, and it passed inspection.  

Later I might replace that part myself.  A new Moog unit is only $135.  

What is it about shops where they not only want to charge $60 to $80 an hour, but they raise the price of parts 3 times what it cost them?  I understand making a fair wage, but not ripping people off.

Where in MO did you go for the MVI ? Want to make sure not visit there. They all sound fishy

 

[GotSmart]

Columbia MO.  The mechanics all drive new rigs with custom rims.  The tires and rims cost more than my rig and contents.

 

[LeeRevell]

Sounds like state sanctioned ripoff artists.
When stationed in NorVa, I had to get my '75 Firebird inspected, though it was registered and tagged in Florida.  They hit me for some ridiculous things.....
Tiny crack in tail light lens - had to buy an entire new assembly!
Failed due to sun visor strip at top of windshield - legal in Florida, not in Va.  Pulled it off.
"Too small a steering wheel"!  What the F....?!  Yeah, it was an aftermarket wheel.  I contested that one with the State Troopers.  They signed it off as okay, as it was still larger than the factory wheel on a TransAm.  
Horn button on the dash (due to aftermarket steering wheel.  Trooper signed off on it, as it was within easy reach.
And a burned out tail light (found at the second inspection station) - the tech installed a new one gratis.   I passed.

The first "Inspection Station" was at the local K-Mart Automotive Shop.  I never dealt with them again.
Second Inspection Station was a Mom&Pop service station/garage less than a mile from where I was living.  He got all my business after that.  When my car was hit on base in the parking lot and the rear axle needed replacement, this shop got the job.  Half the price and the time the big shop wanted.    Car drove fine for several more years.  His charge for most all work was well lower than any bigger shop around there.

I learned then, find the small shop that does good honest work, cultivate a good business relationship with them.  It'll save a lot of money and grief later.

 

[sushidog]

This is a common problem in Louisiana as well. The simplest solution is to "tip" (bribe) the inspector. Usually $20 will do it and you can avoid them making up thinks to fix, like windshield wiper blades, headlight and front end alignments, replacing unevenly worn tires, windshields for a small crack, etc. And don't even think about getting a "brake tag" as they call it here (though only New Orleans actually checks your brakes) with a check engine light on. Grease the inspector's palms and it goes smoothly though. Remember if they look long enough they can always find (or create) something wrong.

I hate graft and corruption, but what can you do? If you stand for what's right you are forced to pay through the nose.

Chip

 

[LoupGarou]

Maybe the steering box was indeed bad.

Are you upset that it failed or the cost for the repairs?

It it's the cost, maybe it's time to replace the vehicle.

I'm glad states do have vehicle safety inspections. In Missouri it used to be every year, now it's every two. Safety inspections make the highways safer for everyone.

If your not happy with the inspection station, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there's a group of people who handle these complaints. Make an appointment and they will inspect the vehicle. It it indeed passes, they will go after the shop.

 

[GotSmart]

Maybe the steering box was indeed bad.

Are you upset that it failed or the cost for the repairs?

It it's the cost, maybe it's time to replace the vehicle.

I'm glad states do have vehicle safety inspections. In Missouri it used to be every year, now it's every two. Safety inspections make the highways safer for everyone.

If your not happy with the inspection station, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there's a group of people who handle these complaints. Make an appointment and they will inspect the vehicle. It it indeed passes, they will go after the shop.

The steering box was replaced at the last RTR.  I went ahead and replaced it again as it was under warranty.  The real problem was  loose fitting on the idler arm. 

I am upset at the consistency of every failed inspection being a bogus $500 repair.  I am sick of being ripped off.  Everyone knows who the culprits are.  Here they have contracts (or relatives)  with HP.  

Replacing the van is not an option.

 

[ldmccain]

I had no idea inspections were this crazy in other states.
Here in MS if you could drive it to the station, stop, blow the horn, and all the lights worked you got a sticker.
As of July 1st this year inspections are no longer required.

 

[ramblingvanman]

Florida has no inspections. I love it. I was a state inspector and did retail auto repair in Virginia. There is a reason that I left retail work. I hated the lying. It just wasn't worth it to me.

 

[sephson]

The planet California has had similar issues with crooked mechanics and state mandated smog tests every other year in order to register a vehicle. In response to this program California instituted the Test Only program. There are now test only centers that do nothing but smog tests, cannot offer repair services and are forbidden from referring the vehicle's owner to other mechanics for the repairs. It hasn't eliminated the crooks in the smog test industry (Not all smog test locations are test only.) and brings other problems with smog testing, but at least does something to address the problem of customers getting ripped off when they are mandated by law to have their cars tested.

 

[eDJ_]

Years ago in school days I worked on cars.   I had this girl show up wanting a second shop to inspect her VW Rabbit Convertible.  Nice car in good shape and had been well taken care of.

She said this "Greaser" of a mechanic told her it needed  new "muffler bearings" and "kaniffler pins".   I explained to her that there are no such things.  So I told her I'd give it a quick look so she went and sit in the waiting room.
I didn't find anything wrong and to make it look like she was getting her money's worth for the inspection I put on a paper mask and took the air hose and blew air into the brakes to make an impressive cloud of dust. 

She looked all worried and I told her it was ok,  just routine cleaning so I could really see accurately inspect the
brakes.  It was passed and she vowed to bring it back to the shop for every inspection from then on.  I just winked and suggested it would also be a good idea for her to buy her gas and oil changes here so we can
give it a free look over each time we are under the hood checking the oil or have it up on the lift and catch
any problems early. 

As she drove off very happy,  I just shook my head saying......."jeez  muffler bearings" !

 

[GotSmart]

The planet California has had similar issues with crooked mechanics and state mandated smog tests every other year in order to register a vehicle. In response to this program California instituted the Test Only program. There are now test only centers that do nothing but smog tests, cannot offer repair services and are forbidden from referring the vehicle's owner to other mechanics for the repairs. It hasn't eliminated the crooks in the smog test industry (Not all smog test locations are test only.) and brings other problems with smog testing, but at least does something to address the problem of customers getting ripped off when they are mandated by law to have their cars tested.

Sometimes you just have to wonder.  :dodgy:

I saw this in LA on my last trip.

 

[LeeRevell]

On my Navy ship one young moron once sent in an order for "fallopian tubes", to be signed for by our young Ensign.  Luckily Seniorchief intercepted it first.  We did later manage to "tag out" the Ensign as "inoperative".  
I hated it when Florida had vehicle inspections.  Glad we got rid of it.  But on the other hand I do sometimes see vehicles that really should not be allowed on the roads.  Always pros and cons to everything.

 

[squatting dog2]

On my Navy ship one young moron once sent in an order for "fallopian tubes", to be signed for by our young Ensign.  Luckily Seniorchief intercepted it first.  We did later manage to "tag out" the Ensign as "inoperative".  
I hated it when Florida had vehicle inspections.  Glad we got rid of it.  But on the other hand I do sometimes see vehicles that really should not be allowed on the roads.  Always pros and cons to everything.

In the army, it was always fun to send the neewbee back for 50 yards of firing line. 

 

[molonewolf]

That's good to know. I do not go to Columbia if at all possible. So far I have not had any problems with MVI like that. Being a mechanic by trade. I am constantly checking over all of my vehicles and replace any thing that is bad or is questionable. The thing about MVI is the rules books are veg and to open to interpenetration. A lot of it comes down to the fines a MVI inspector would be hit with if they pass something that is on the borderline of passing not to mention the law suites if he does pass it and something go wrong and someone get's hurt as a result.

 

[LoupGarou]

Gotsmart

Do you do your own oil changes?

If not, have the shop do a look over while the vehicle is up on the rack. If any issues appear apparent you won't be surprised come inspection. It'll give you some time to shop around for repair.