do auto inspectors has the last word? (cost of, shop)

[fairminded]

I just failed ,an auto inspection, because my abs brake, light will not go out , even though my braking system,is working fine, plus i pass last year with the same car and same problem,and same inspection station this inspection is in the state of va who can i report them too if i think i been treated unfairly?

[wolfgang239]

The state of VA is hundreds of miles from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I would suggest asking the VA forum.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by fairminded

I just failed ,an auto inspection, because my abs brake, light will not go out , even though my braking system,is working fine, plus i pass last year with the same car and same problem,and same inspection station this inspection is in the state of va who can i report them too if i think i been treated unfairly?

You posted this in the MA forum, but wrote VA in the text. Not sure if you meant MA or VA here.





BUT, according to the MA RMV site

What if you disagree with the inspector, and
don't believe your vehicle should have failed the inspection? The
Registry of Motor Vehicles has established a formal investigation process for
motorists to “challenge” their inspection results. If you believe the inspection
results are incorrect, you can initiate the investigation by downloading an
Inspection Station Complaint Form from the RMV website and mailing it to
the RMV's Vehicle Safety and Compliance Services Department. (The form can also
be obtained by calling 857-368-8130.) During the investigation the vehicle will
still carry the Rejection sticker. Ultimately, if the vehicle passes a challenge
inspection or the initial inspection station is found to be in error, that
initial inspection station will provide the motorist with the Passing sticker.
If the vehicle fails the challenge inspection, the motorist will be
charged an additional $35 inspection fee and will be required to make the
necessary repairs before getting a Passing sticker. To view or download other
RMV Vehicle Inspection forms, click here.

Massachusetts Vehicle Check


However, the ABS warning light is a safety issue. Even though your brakes work fine, the Antilock braking system is in error and disabled when the light was on.

If you dig deeper into the Mass RMV site

Massachusetts RMV - Inspections FAQs

My Anti-lock brake light is on, am I going to fail
inspection?
No, anti-lock brakes are not part of the state
inspection. However, if the brake light is on, indicating a failure in the
hydraulic braking system, you will be failed. This indicates a serious condition
which must be checked immediately. The anti-lock brake light indicates a problem
with that specific feature of your braking system. We do, however, suggest you
have the brakes checked as soon as possible.

So the shop was correct to fail you for the ABS light being on. You passed last year because the inspector didn't fail the car for the light, like he should have. So you have nothing to report. Technically with the red R on the windshield, you cannot drive the car on a public road. If you try, and a cop feels like it, he has every right to tow the car.

Usually ABS issues are wheel speed sensors, which are fairly cheap. If you aren't DIY-savvy to diagnose and fix the issue, bring it to a shop that can read the ABS code, and tell you what the issue is. Ususally wheel speed sensors are $50-75ish, so if that is the case, the fix would be a lot cheaper than the cost of a tow if you keep driving around on the Red Safety Reject sticker.

[Nobodybody]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

The state of VA is hundreds of miles from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I would suggest asking the VA forum.

I read this as OP saying the car passed inspection under the same circumstances in VA last year, but failed in MA this year.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Nobodybody

I read this as OP saying the car passed inspection under the same circumstances in VA last year, but failed in MA this year.

I took it differently

plus i pass last year with the same car and same problem,and same inspection
station

Regardless, in the state of MA, an ABS light is a fail. OP needs to fix the problem.

[bobrainman]

I have got a sticker for 7 years in Mass with the abs light on!
If the brake light is on you will not get a sticker.
My brake light isn't on just abs.

Read carefully:
My Anti-lock brake light is on, am I going to fail
inspection?
No, anti-lock brakes are not part of the state
inspection. However, if the brake light is on, indicating a failure in the
hydraulic braking system, you will be failed. This indicates a serious condition
which must be checked immediately. The anti-lock brake light indicates a problem
with that specific feature of your braking system. We do, however, suggest you
have the brakes checked as soon as possible.

As it says: No, anti-lock brakes are not part of the state
inspection.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by bobrainman

I have got a sticker for 7 years in Mass with the abs light on!
If the brake light is on you will not get a sticker.
My brake light isn't on just abs.

Read carefully:
My Anti-lock brake light is on, am I going to fail
inspection?
No, anti-lock brakes are not part of the state
inspection. However, if the brake light is on, indicating a failure in the
hydraulic braking system, you will be failed. This indicates a serious condition
which must be checked immediately. The anti-lock brake light indicates a problem
with that specific feature of your braking system. We do, however, suggest you
have the brakes checked as soon as possible.

As it says: No, anti-lock brakes are not part of the state
inspection.

Dammit, that should be clarified a bit. It even confused me.


Yellow ABS brake light on: OK, should be passed.
RED Brake light on: Fail.

[bobrainman]

Mass Registry Jargon!