Vehicle saafety inspection question

[TheBigKahunaNC]

Do they even inspect 23 year old cars? Surely they won't put it on a lift and check CV boots. The most they will do is make sure your lights work, your tires aren't bald, etc.

[danielbmartin]

Originally Posted by TheBigKahunaNC

Do they even inspect 23 year old cars?

Yes. Vehicles 35 years old, or older, are exempt from the annual safety inspection. See: NCDOT: Vehicle Emissions & Safety Inspection

Surely they won't put it on a lift and check CV boots.

Inspectors are required to lift the vehicle to examine the exhaust system.

The most they will do is make sure your lights work, your tires aren't bald, etc.

If they follow the rules, they inspect much more than this. If the inspector sees anything which, in his/her opinion, compromises safe operation they may fail the inspection. You may appeal (and one one occasion I did) but this is a "gray area" where the DMV tends to side with the inspector.

[tomparis37x]

I passed the safety inspection today and the mechanic did in fact roll up under the car and look at the tire rod ends and cv axle. He even commented that they were the best axles he's ever seen and I said, "Well they are only about 12 hours old" lol

I was then told that more and more shops are coming under the microscope from the state and are being told to check cv axles and tire rod ends as part of the inspection

[Starglow]

I realize you're not a car guy, but FYI...it's tie rod ends, not tire rod ends. Either way I'm glad you found a solution to getting the car fixed and good luck with the job hunting.

[tomparis37x]

Thanks, Im sure courier and computer work will pick back up for me after the holidays