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I see there is a lot of misinformation out there. Tell you what, ask me a question about it, and I'll try to give you a true answer.
Yes, I'm a certified NC inspector, been doing them for about 20 years.
No takers?......by reading the forum I figured this post would have been loaded by now. *BUMP*
it's likely because your thread title doesn't look particularly informative. you may wish to retitle to something like "NC car inspection questions here" or something similar.
I see there is a lot of misinformation out there. Tell you what, ask me a question about it, and I'll try to give you a true answer.
Yes, I'm a certified NC inspector, been doing them for about 20 years.
Car inspector? What is that?
And what is the real purpose of a vehicle inspection and who is getting the money?
It is quite obvious that they are not a safety inspection.
The brakes are not visually inspected
The front end is not visually inspected
The wheel bearings are not physically checked
Chasis mount, engine mounts etc nada.
Oh, but lets check emissions? Why is that? Give me a break.
Vechile inspections are a joke, we all know it. they tab yes down the list without checking a thing.
So why do we pay for these and where is the money is really going?
I'm from out of state and planning to move to NC. What are some of the facts, I need to know?
As far as your vehicle inspection goes, it's relatively simple. 1996 and newer gets an emissions inspection, the cost is 30 dollars, with an additional 10 dollar fee if you have aftermarket tint on the windows. The state limit for tint is 32% light transmittance, anything darker than that will fail. The emissions test is done electronically via the data connector. If the check engine light is on or not working, it will fail. The safety portion of the test includes, tires, lights, brakes(noise is grounds for wheel removal for further inspection) parking brake, horn, exhaust(must have muffler(s) and catalytic converters) suspension and steering(components must be in good working condition and not broken) lights must all be in good working condition, no broken lenses or standing water and must be the correct color, wiper blades must not be rotted or torn and working, windshield may be cracked as long as it doesn't damage the blade(if your fingernail can catch the crack it will be failed) Tires must have no bulges or damage, no exposed belts, tread depth must be 2/32 or greater.
The tampering portion of the test will check to see if all the emissions control devices are in place and *appear* to be working.
Your vehicle must be lifted into the air so the inspector can check underneath.
Well maintained vehicles will generally not have a problem with the NC state inspection, except for maybe a bulb and wipers(these are the most common fail points)
Vehicles 1995 and older are exempt from the emission test, but must pass the safety and the tamper portions of the test. The fee for this test is $13.60,
Vehicles 35 years and older are exempt from any state inspection.
A full list of items checked is available on the NC state website somewhere
NC has started cracking down on stations who are performing improper inspections, they are doing this by electronically tracking vehicles that fail at one station and are rapidly passed at another, and by actually video taping stations. They also have a fleet of undercover cars that are sent out to different stations. Both the inspectors and the station can be fined heavily and/or lose their license. The state inspection program is not the joke it once became.
it's likely because your thread title doesn't look particularly informative. you may wish to retitle to something like "NC car inspection questions here" or something similar.
Good idea.....now, how do I do that? Maybe just start a new thread?
And what is the real purpose of a vehicle inspection and who is getting the money?
It is quite obvious that they are not a safety inspection.
The brakes are not visually inspected
The front end is not visually inspected
The wheel bearings are not physically checked
Chasis mount, engine mounts etc nada.
Oh, but lets check emissions? Why is that? Give me a break.
Vechile inspections are a joke, we all know it. they tab yes down the list without checking a thing.
So why do we pay for these and where is the money is really going?
Brakes may be visually inspected if they are noisy, the front end is supposed to be checked, as are wheel bearings, chassis mounts are also supposed to be checked. Motor mounts.....well, actually not. But, I don't make the rules. I'll be the first one to admit that some things on the program do not make sense.
As to where the money goes....... that information is available on the web also.
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Please give me the 8x10
re: what are the facts
