NC auto inspection..

When I lived in the Charlotte university area in an apartment complex, I’m not kidding when I say half of the cars had expired tags. Not a month or two, YEARS. Cops have never cared about that stuff here. I swear 485 is like mad max.

I grew up in Surfside, SC. While there my truck was down one day so I drove my roommate’s spare car and didn’t realize the tag was expired. I DIDNT EVEN MAKE IT TO WORK AND WAS PULLED OVER.
 
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I find chain quick lube places don't try to upsell and aren't thorough, I have had to explain the safety/emissions requirements before, it's GVWR over 8500 or diesel, not registered weight that matters.
Independent shops are more likely to really check the vehicle, I have never had one fail me. I am a licensed inspector and naturally would want to see, and perform my own repairs if they did.
By law if you inspect, you should charge, maximums are established by the state, reinspection is only of the failed component(s) and by law no charge forget how many days seems like 30, I work a fleet and we repair before/immediately so doesn't really apply.
Emissions is still dial up requires dedicated phone line, and there can be issues which cause data to be saved in the machine for update when communications with the state are reestablished, keep the print out, safety can be done via web portal. Have never had an issue personally, but have had issues with comms at work.
 
beamernc said:
The state is still using dial up as of 2 weeks ago. It takes longer to get the computer to connect and print the report than to do the inspection. Our station has new computers ready for the dial up to go away, but not yet. It is also an OBD2 check instead of the old sniffer up the tail pipe, emissions check.

I have been told by "my guy" that if it fails for a light out, tires, wiper blade, etc, and he has not connected to the OBD2 yet, there is no charge. If it fails the OBD2 check, he charges for his part and when you return, you pay for the sticker. They also charge $10 for non factory tint check and give you a coupon for no charge on next years tint check.

I always do a pre-inspection before I leave home so there are no surprises. I have never had one fail from the OBD2 check.

I typically drive straight home and order my new "tag". Only had an issue once and all I did was put the inspection number from the report into the online tag system and it went through. It will not let you proceed if the inspection has not been done.

Motorcycles only get the safety inspection also, $13.25.

I prefer to go to the independent stations instead of the stealerships. No appointment needed, and typically in and out in less than 20 minutes. Last time I used the stealership was on my '02 GMC. I was getting an oil change and thought while I'm here, I'll get it inspected. Guy brought it back around and said it failed, park brake won't hold. I have never used the park brake. Came home pulled both rear wheels and the park brake is a drum style brake in the disc brake rotor. Made a couple of adjustments, and called the stealership and asked how much it had to hold, park brake on and gas applied, or what. They could not give a definitive answer. Went back and it passed fine. Still have not used the park brake.
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Neighbors Camry has that parking brake setup. I never saw that before.
 
I take my vehicles to a little place in Hillsborough that just does inspections. They will fix a bulb or replace wiper blades if you need it, anything more serious will require a trip to an actual shop. My rule of thumb is this, never get an inspection anywhere that sells tires. If you are even close they will try and sell you tires in order to "pass." I'm not suggesting that one should ride around on bad tires, but don't tempt them with a potential tire sale by getting an inspection done at a tire shop.
 
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