The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk State inspection 2.0

So how come there are no REPLY buttons in that thread?

I just wanted to ask what do they do during those inspections? I hope no one is using a pry bar on the parts of your vehicle to see if some suspension part is loose.

Truckrolet, that thread was locked because some folks couldn’t stay on topic and it turned to a chit chat thread. FYI

Truckolet ... What Martin is saying is that we've seen this, and similar questions regarding insurance requirements, licensing, etc. many times. All they ever seem to do is invite a lot of personal anecdotes that aren't actually all that helpful to the OP because they are from other states or involve a lot of personal variables that ultimately render the info possibly interesting but largely irrelevant/inapplicable (in the Communication profession, we call that "noise").

The truth is that like insurance, titling, registration and other similar issues, the answers vary state to state and even vehicle to vehicle to such an extent that the *only* source for accurate, actionable information is one's own state DMV/Motor Vehicle Admin office.

Martin exercised his judgement to lock the thread rather than let the noise continue. There is a risk that someone could make a very bad decision based on anecdotal info gleaned from such a thread and we would *very* much like to avoid that.

Martin was doing his job. Nothing wrong with the OP asking a question. But we should all have exercised better judgement and directed him to his local DMV for accurate information.



I hope we've answered your concerns. Thanks for raising them.

John

A lock on that thread did not stick out at me sorry, I didn't know. If you wish to erase this thread please do then. Though I am still curious if those inspection places mark up your painted parts trying to pry them to look for looseness, and scratching or gouging them, exposing them to rusting etc. ?

As long as the discussion stays strictly on “Inspections” it will stay.

Having only limited experience with getting an antique vehicle inspected (my '59 VW in Hawaii .... many years ago), it probably varies from station to station and even among the individual inspectors. I'm sure a friendly, courteous and respectful attitude goes a long way towards them being careful around restored antiques.

Have you checked with any of your local antique vehicle enthusiasts for input on this? Your local car club people would probably have the best info for you.

Since some (most) of this depends on local DMV, may be a good question to post with a group a the SIDE LOT near you and see what experiences they have had.

I have nothing now that needs inspection. But I had in the past bought a truck that had a state inspection sticker on the B pillar below the door stricker plate. With a warning of pure, HE double tooth picks if it was removed. Yeah funny stuff, could make a concours restoration very difficult, and yes they will hand out another sticker if you peal it off to paint the truck. But still who the heck wants that non factory sticker and the branded title hanging on an old truck? They (the state inspectors) would not say why the truck had it. There was no body damage or frame damage, so ? It might have been mention that they could not find the vin well yeah there is no vin so to say. But if memory is correct the serial number was on the title, I think they could not find it on the frame or something? Its because they don't know where to look.

Man. Just like the Mattress Police.

Ok now I’m confused! Apparently you are not referring to the annual State Safety Inspection to make sure the vehicle is safe and emissions compliant but the inspection done when you are trying to register a truck that has no VIN or title. Far different type of inspection usually done at the registering States Department of Public Safety by a State Police Officer or other State official. Please clarify.

I am referring to any kind of mandated inspection. I am just curious of how aggressive they are at doing said inspections. This is on "inspection topic" I know of a few newer vehicles that have known rust issues where they (dealer techs) hammer into the unit body frame with a sharp tool to see if it is still sound and not rusted enough to allow penetration. I know many on you tube take a pry bar and pry on various suspension parts looking for play. This is what I am asking about. I would not appreciate someone that gives a rip, gouging up parts on my vehicle, any place there is a gouge or scratch is where the rust will start. Or worse case a stress riser that initiates a crack formation.

Ah, the joys of living in the ‘rust belt!’

Ed