Failed Auto Inspection (safety, vehicle, office)

[senoritasoma]

i had the same kinda question as the original poster...i wish i had the $ to fix all the superficial problems but i have been working to just make ends meet as it is and my issues are really not safety issues but i'm sure will not pass inspection. i need the car to make it to and from work or will end up being homeless...i am not trying to "pull one over" just wondering like original poster said if there is somewhere that might not be so rigid. i own a 1999 toyota camry with 250k miles on it and cannot afford to pump any more $ into it when it runs just fine, there are like i said just superficial issues that will prevent me from passing inspection.
please any ideas or advice (other than fix it or buy a new car) would be gratefully appreciated.

[timberline742]

What type of superficial issues?

It sounds unlikely though.

[Parsec]

What type of superficial issues? The fog lights were blown out on my car. Rather than removing the bumper in the middle of winter to replace them, I just covered the lense with black tape to pass inspection. I consider this a superficial issue since fog lights aren't required, but if you DO have them then they need to be in good working order to pass inspection.

[BostonMike7]

There are stations that aren't as rigid...however you'd be hard pressed to find someone willing to spill the beans to a stranger. It's one of those things where if you find a guy willing to overlook superficial items, you keep your mouth shut as inspectors have been known to "ask around" for such things.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

There are stations that aren't as rigid...however you'd be hard pressed to find someone willing to spill the beans to a stranger. It's one of those things where if you find a guy willing to overlook superficial items, you keep your mouth shut as inspectors have been known to "ask around" for such things.

True, and the person asking the question has only 1 post on this forum. Not very re-assuring.

[johngolf]

To the OP. Ask around. There are places that for $50 to $100 will pass your vehicle no matter what. Not all states have auto inspection and many are more lenient then MA.

[Cape Cod Todd]

I say get these items fixed. The catalytic converter isn't a cheap fix depending on your cars make. Is it really the cat? How many miles on your car. There could be something else going on with your emissions system. My JeeP had the engine light on which usually gets a rejection sticker and I found a cracked hose that was causing it. I believe you have 60 days to repair a emission problem but a safety item needs to be repaired right away.
Your airbag light being on is a problem. Did they fail you on that as a safety item? As for your insurance company if you got into a crash. Have you ever known a insurance company that isn't in it for the money and they will send a inspector to investigate any detail to deny a claim. Don't forget they also have a army of lawyers at their disposal.
I wouldn't risk it and I would get those items repaired as soon as possible.

[bostonbarney]

Or maybe you could find a cop to pay. Despite my having reported it (for these and other reasons), the Lexus at the end of my street drove around for two years with an expired sticker. He just got an inspection sticker but his registration sticker still says "2012." So whether a shop or a cop, somebody's looking the other way.

[western mass and love it]

I have a sticker on my car from 2009 and have never been pulled over. If you get pulled over for an inspection sticker the cop is bored.

[johngolf]

In this day and age of computer forgery.....just saying.