Anyone up for starting a drive to change the vehicle inspection rip-off? (Penn: sales, rental)

[dave_111]

So I've lived in PA now for 9 years, with two cars, making 18 trips for state vehicle inspection. I grew up working on cars, and do all my own work. That's how I know that we Pennsylvanians are being massively ripped-off by this current system.

I want to start a movement to change it. I'm not saying necessarily to abolish it; I think the jury is still out on whether it is truly effective or cost-effective.

But as it stands, there is absolutely no reason for mechanics not to try to rip-off whomever they can. Zero reason. I've spoken with people at the DMV, and they admit they have no effective way to keep mechanics from saying whatever they want. All you can do, if you suspect malfeasance, is take it to another mechanic and pay another fee. The first mechanic loses nothing.

So if a mechanic says you need unnecessary repairs, and you agree, they make a bunch of money. If you walk away, even if you prove the repairs they recommended were in fact unneeded, they lose nothing.

Doesn't the public realize that nearly all mechanics are paid based on the amount of money they bring in?

How much enthusiasm is out there to make a change?

[2nd trick op]

If you think it's a problem now, some of us can recall when inspections were required twice a year.

In fairness, I can't recall any time when I thought that an unscrupulous mechanic used the inspection laws to coax/coerce me into unnecessary repairs, but for the most part, I've usually bought used cars formerly in rental pools, and lived in smaller communities where the reputation of local mechanics rose, or fell quickly as they became better-known.

That might not be the case for people who deal exclusively with dealerships, relocate frequently, and seek a higher level of security, at a higher price.

[PAhippo]

I trust my mechanics and don't at all buy into the rip-off theory.

Not sure what you mean by mechanics getting payed by the amount of money they bring in. Why would they get payed for not bringing in money?

Guess I'm missing something there.

[dave_111]

Originally Posted by PAhippo

I trust my mechanics and don't at all buy into the rip-off theory.

Not sure what you mean by mechanics getting payed by the amount of money they bring in. Why would they get payed for not bringing in money?

Guess I'm missing something there.

Almost all mechanics are on a type of commission. The more money they bring in per repair, the more they make. Basically a license to steal, if they choose to go that route.

[dave_111]

True, if you don't know whether what they're telling you is true, you would never know you were being ripped off, and you'd just happily pay them what they want. But over the years, different mechanics have tried to rip me off for new brakes, a new idler arm, new ball joints, new stabilizer bar, new wiper blades, and probably a few other things I've forgotten. None of those repairs were needed.

It's funny how trusting/gullible most people are. Just because you wouldn't (perhaps) try to rip off someone else, don't think most mechanics are the same way. More repairs=bigger paycheck.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by 2nd trick op

If you think it's a problem now, some of us can recall when inspections were required twice a year.

In fairness, I can't recall any time when I thought that an unscrupulous mechanic used the inspection laws to coax/coerce me into unnecessary repairs, but for the most part, I've usually bought used cars formerly in rental pools, and lived in smaller communities where the reputation of local mechanics rose, or fell quickly as they became better-known.

That might not be the case for people who deal exclusively with dealerships, relocate frequently, and seek a higher level of security, at a higher price.

Twice a year? I don't remember that.

PA could switch to biennial or periodic inspection. Slower than a turtle crossing the road.

[PAhippo]

I remember the twice a year inspection. They changed it to annual mot too long after I moved here.


Isn't it possible to get your car looked at, get the work done someplace else, then go back for the sticker?

[Bazzwell]

Originally Posted by PAhippo

I trust my mechanics and don't at all buy into the rip-off theory.

Try a dealership mechanic, one that doesn't know you. You'll see the ripoff effect in the finest form offered. Thought I'd give the local dealer some business since at the time one of his salesman was a client of mine.

"Your car failed because it needs new e-brake pads"

"Ok, fix it"

"Can't, they don't make those pads anymore" Why don't you look at something on the lot and we'll get sales to do a good trade for you?"

"Thanks, I'll just junk the damn thing"

Went back to my usual mechanic and told him what happened. He called Napa and then asked me how many sets of new e-brake pads did I want. Fixed and inspected in less than two hours. Ran the car another five years.

[Craziaskowboi]

Yes, let's do away with the inspections. Heaven forbid that people be forced to maintain their cars properly in exchange for the privilege of driving.

[fisheye]

We are PA and we do not do things the easy way. Look at our State Store system! We have been trying to privatize that for many, many years. The most that ever happens is the we talk about it (when an election is approaching and then forget after the election).

The only thing that is on the OP's side is that some of other states have dropped their yearly inspection programs. I am not sure how that works. I would presume that it falls on the individual to fix any problem and enforcement fall on our police to cite individuals that have vehicles on the road with problems. My thinking is that we do not have enough police to literally catch all of the defective vehicles on our roads (if that would be the case). Perhaps the OP can explain how we could accomplish this without sacrificing safety? How has it worked in the other states?