I have a 24 year old car, and I was failed for the most nitpicky things. I completely understand that by law they are required to fail you for some of these things but I was failed for aftermarket bulbs, leaking power steering and a broken motor mount and broken fog lamps. I understand completely, however I feel that this shop is not very fair towards older/modified cars. I will not be coming back here but if your car is just your basic commuter and there's nothing wrong with it(i.e it's newer, unmodified) then you should be fine coming here.
Thank you for your feedback, George. We understand that it can be frustrating when an older vehicle requires multiple repairs to pass a Virginia safety inspection, especially when some of the items may not seem significant from an owner's perspective. Virginia's inspection program requires licensed inspectors to follow the state inspection manual exactly as written. Inspectors can face suspension or loss of their inspection license for overlooking required items, and inspection stations themselves can face significant penalties, including suspension or loss of their inspection privileges. Because of that, we don't have the discretion to pass vehicles that fail to meet the state's safety requirements. The items you mentioned—including inoperative lighting, power steering leaks, and broken motor mounts—are all conditions addressed by Virginia's inspection standards and must be evaluated accordingly regardless of a vehicle's age, mileage, or modifications. Where we try to help customers is in discussing repair options, prioritizing safety concerns, and working within individual budgets and driving habits whenever possible. We understand that every vehicle owner has different circumstances, particularly when maintaining older vehicles. If you'd like to discuss this in greater detail or express other concerns please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected].
- James Madison Shell