NJ residents? Why pay for auto inspection?

[disneysteve]

We just passed an auto shop that had a big sign out front that they did NJ inspections for $64. Why would anyone pay that much, or anything, to have it done when the state does it for free (as part of your registration fee). I've lived in NJ for 12 years and inspection is quick and efficient. I pull up, wait a few minutes for my turn, they do the inspection and I'm on my way. I don't think it has ever taken more than 30 minutes tops, and usually closer to 15.

 

[mcorbo]

We just passed an auto shop that had a big sign out front that they did NJ inspections for $64. Why would anyone pay that much, or anything, to have it done when the state does it for free (as part of your registration fee). I've lived in NJ for 12 years and inspection is quick and efficient. I pull up, wait a few minutes for my turn, they do the inspection and I'm on my way. I don't think it has ever taken more than 30 minutes tops, and usually closer to 15.

Way back when, there was a time when 2 hours was a short wait at the DMV for inspection. That's when they started allowing auto repair shops and gas stations to do inspections.

These days, it's one way to get a car they is marginal at best to pass inspection. wink wink nudge nudge.

 

[C.Ann]

These days, it's one way to get a car they is marginal at best to pass inspection. wink wink nudge nudge.

-----------------------

Someone once told me that in NJ (at least I think it was NJ) you can't get a car registered that has rust on it.. Is that true - or were they pulling my leg? With some of these crazy HOA rules and such, it wouldn't surprise me if it were true..

 

[Cindy B]

I know that shop too Steve.. I pass it all the time!

I've chatted with DH about it as well. As former PA residents (where they don't have a free inspection) this is what we came up with.

You may get some former PA residents move to NJ. In PA I was used to a $200 car inspection. I even remarked to DH that if I was used to a $200 inspection $64 would look like a deal. (even though free is much better).

Believe it or not some people have no idea that inspection is free. My MIL would always take it to the mechanic to do. Either she was niave and gullible or it was just what she was used to doing from when she began driving back in the late 1940s.

It also may just be a clever marketing ploy on the auto mechanics front.
For example, I just got my Six Flags season pass holder coupon book. In it on the 2nd page there is a coupon for a 1/2 price entry into any other Six flags park. Sounds feasible and a great deal however... if you have a Six Flags season pass it is FREE to get in ANY SIX FLAGS... Same thing with Dorney Park/Cedar Point as well. I heard so many people tell me that they paid for Cedar Point when they had Dorney passes...

 

[MrsPete]

We just passed an auto shop that had a big sign out front that they did NJ inspections for $64. Why would anyone pay that much, or anything, to have it done when the state does it for free (as part of your registration fee). I've lived in NJ for 12 years and inspection is quick and efficient. I pull up, wait a few minutes for my turn, they do the inspection and I'm on my way. I don't think it has ever taken more than 30 minutes tops, and usually closer to 15.

Wow. Things are different from state to state. In NC we only register our cars once (when they're purchased); no inspection is required to get a plate renewal year to year -- they just want $20 for the renewal sticker. We have to have our cars inspected every year (in the same month in which the car was purchased); it costs $20 in my county, but we're one of the three that require emmissions testing, so we're more expensive. I think the other counties are in the $7-10 range.

 

[msdznyduck]

I have always gone to the inspection station and had mine done for 'free'. I just can't see spending more money to have my car inspected. Once upon a time, many moons ago, I can see how people would want to take it for an 'easy in/out' since I can remember waiting 2 hours to get my car inspected. But now, its just about a 10 minute wait to get in, and then about 15 minutes for the actual inspection. My mom, (who is 80) on the other hand, always takes hers to her mechanic to have it done, since she doesn't want to drive to the inspection station...much easier just to have it done where she gets gas. She only uses her car for grocery shopping and church, and never goes very far. Her mechanic is only about 3 blocks away, as opposed to driving 1/2 hour to the inspection station, on unfamiliar roads........she got lost leaving my house once, so only drives during the day and only where she knows.

 

[disneysteve]

Her mechanic is only about 3 blocks away, as opposed to driving 1/2 hour to the inspection station

I figured this could be a factor in more rural areas, but not where I live. The inspection station is 10 minutes away.

 

[LisaNJ25]

A few minutes?? Now motor vechicle I can get in and out of in a few minutes but the inspection station an hour if I am lucky.

My husband has taken his truck to the garage before. Its a 1980 truck and the garage is easier to work with than the inspection station.

 

[wood8176]

-----------------------

Someone once told me that in NJ (at least I think it was NJ) you can't get a car registered that has rust on it.. Is that true - or were they pulling my leg? With some of these crazy HOA rules and such, it wouldn't surprise me if it were true..

Yes, someone was pulling your leg.

Motor vehicle inspection in NJ is free, and if you purchase a new vehicle it is even waived for the first four years of ownership.

A few years ago, the inspection was much more stringent and time consuming so, some people chose to go to private authorized garages to speed up the process, or to get a passing certificate on a questionable vehicle.

There is actually alot more to this story, but it is ugly political stuff and not magical disney stuff so...

~Matt

 

[DisneyDazed]

I know several people that moved from neighboring states to NJ and werent aware they could get the car inspected for free. I surely never thought I would say this but now that I am in PA I miss the NJ DMV free inspections and the fact you arent allowed to pump your own gas. I had a DMV right next to me that was small and the inspections were fast because nobody really knew about it.

 

[bartleby1]

-----------------------

Someone once told me that in NJ (at least I think it was NJ) you can't get a car registered that has rust on it.. Is that true - or were they pulling my leg? With some of these crazy HOA rules and such, it wouldn't surprise me if it were true..

I think they have done away with the rust rule. NJ used to have some pretty crazy things on their inspections (which was part of the reason for really long wait times at the DMV). I had a car that did fail for rust in the late 80's. It was a 1970 Dodge Dart that I had in high school and part of college. They told me that too much of the car was missing due to rust ! Put it this way, I couldn't keep anything small in the trunk because it would fall out the side of the car just behind the wheel. It also failed for "glazing of the windshield". Apparently, from the car having been driven over 225,000 miles (yes, that was the mileage on it, lol!), the windshield was pitted causing a "glazed" appearance which I guess could prevent one from seeing clearly out of it?

At the time, DMV would not pass it through inspection so we had to get a second opinion, wink, wink, at a place that charges for inspections. They seemed to overlook the rust and windshield problems.

Perhaps some people still need "second opinions" which is why they are willing to pay for an inspection? BTW, I am not saying that everyplace that charges are willing to let things slide by. I'm sure many will not, but I'm willng to bet that there are still some places that will hand out a clean bill of health for you vehicle for a price.

 

[Kycha]

Not only do we have yearly registration fees and inspections. Now we have emissions testings. Cost: minimum $36 for yearly registration, $25 inspection(plus cost of repairs) and $60 emissions testing(plus cost of repairs). And to think that long, long ago the lovely state of PA required twice yearly inspections. Thank God they ended that.

 

[bicker]

It's sort of like paying front-of-the-line privileges at theme parks; some folks find it worth spending money to save themselves some time.

 

[tar heel]

MrsPete -- Your DH must be taking care of the car stuff!

The fee for the registration renewal in North Carolina is $28 and the inspection fee is at least $29 (may have gone up). There also are 28 emission inspection counties, unless some more have been phased in.

This is just syntax, but I consider the fee we pay to get our tag stickers each year to be an annual registration fee.

 

[LisaNJ25]

MrsPete -- Your DH must be taking care of the car stuff!

The fee for the registration renewal in North Carolina is $28 and the inspection fee is at least $29 (may have gone up). There also are 28 emission inspection counties, unless some more have been phased in.

This is just syntax, but I consider the fee we pay to get our tag stickers each year to be an annual registration fee.

ok i need to move to a new state lol. For hubbys truck it is $70 a year for registration. I am so glad we are selling it.

 

[tar heel]

But Lisa, the $70 includes your inspection! Of course, you would still save a little bit if you moved to NC.

 

[Molly Meow]

What is this inspection everyone keeps talking about? I tried to Google it and I don't think I'm using the right terms.

I've never heard of this - we don't have it here in California. Here, we just pay ~$200 a year for registration and another ~$70 for smog check and certificate.

Do they actually look your car over at the DMV? I hope they don't institute that here - I had to wait in line for 2 1/2 hours last week just to renew my driver license.

 

[LisaNJ25]

But Lisa, the $70 includes your inspection! Of course, you would still save a little bit if you moved to NC.

But than I have to pay the garage to get that one to squeak through

 

[LisaNJ25]

What is this inspection everyone keeps talking about? I tried to Google it and I don't think I'm using the right terms.

I've never heard of this - we don't have it here in California. Here, we just pay ~$200 a year for registration and another ~$70 for smog check and certificate.

Do they actually look your car over at the DMV? I hope they don't institute that here - I had to wait in line for 2 1/2 hours last week just to renew my driver license.

Molly,

here you go

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/cleanair/index.html

 

[MiaSRN62]

I live in PA. And inspection/emission/registration is a yearly killer !
The inspection stations are now up to over $80 for inspection and emission. If they find anything wrong with your car----and they ALWAYS do-----we easily pay anywhere from $500-$800 per year per car !!! Our registration runs from $55-$85/year.
Both my dh and my car ended up needing $1200 EACH in order to pass inspection as per the auto shop (just in the past 60 days). We seriously question the legitimate nature of these "safety" repairs because they get us for the same thing every year. You pretty much have to take THEIR word on it. I am curious to know what system of checks and balances the state of PA provides to protect the residents because it's highway robbery in my book ! I'm tempted to write to our governor about this last round of inspections we just went through.
I'd love to have an inspection station such as NJ. I know friends of mine in OH, OK and FL don't even know what inspections are. Wondering what other states are as ridiculously expensive and strict as PA ???? Mechanics here must be rolling in $.