Inspection Issues

[GrassyKnoll]

So I took the whip over to Valvoline on Friday (last day before my inspection expired so I didn't really have time to take it where I wanted) and I failed in several areas.

Firstly, several of my lights failed (I can easily swap those back for inspection purposes)

Secondly, they read my windows as 24% tint even though I DEFINATELY got 35% tint and I have the receipt to show it. Is it possible they were getting a bad reading or something? The guy said he'd prob let that slide but recommended getting it fixed???

Thirdly, my exhaust didn't pass!!! Someone is going to need to clarify this for me. I have a Cobb TBE w/catted downpipe. It has passed inspection several times before and this is the first time it was flagged. He said this only has one cat and the stock dp has two thus it won't pass inspection.


What are all your thoughts? Do I find a different place to inspect it and take the $45 hit or do I swap the exhaust back on for inspection and then swap it back after (kind of a *****).

[Nate8409]

either go to your normal place. Or swap it.

[mdungelman]

Go somewhere else besides valvoline and see what happens. Even though they are trained and have certification doesn't mean they know their ass from their elbows.

What about your lights failed?

[GrassyKnoll]

colors.... i knew that would be an issue.

HOWEVER, the guy said that back blinkers had to be orange which is not true! if you look it up in the state laws it says amber or red.

Whatever, I have all the original bulbs and it'll take 5 min to swap them all for inspection so no biggy. The tint / exhaust is more time consuming

[TurboRush]

The tint probably went on as 35% but because all cars have very minor tint from the factory it is really darker than the 35%. When I lived in CT I had tint go on at 20% and got metered by a cop and came back at 12%.

I remeber someone told me that if you take your car to some place and it fails they notify DMV and you need to take it back to them to get reinspected or something... don't know if that's BS or not.

[Murphy2012]

The law with the exhausts are that you arent supposed to modify from stock at all anymore in NH. No cats=no pass. My old man would pass that exhaust. In laconia.

[Jon]

i went to VIP in portsmouth and they never even noticed that i had no cats. They didn't to ****, just looked at and it and said ok, i just had to put in a new fog light, which i did myself while they had it on the lift.

PS- it was free too, with a coupon!

[starhm]

i thought once you went somewhere, you were logged in the computer as a failure and had to go back to the same place. this was to keep you from going place to place to get someone who would pass you? they should have taken your registration for the inspection and given it back when you left...that is where the info comes from.

[GrassyKnoll]

i thought once you went somewhere, you were logged in the computer as a failure and had to go back to the same place. this was to keep you from going place to place to get someone who would pass you? they should have taken your registration for the inspection and given it back when you left...that is where the info comes from.

they charged me and put it in as failed but you can go somewhere else cause it's all done through the same state inspection database. If I go somewhere else thou, I lose the money i already paid... if I go back then they re-inspect for free.

[Murphy2012]

True, they are tied together now. As of about a year ago, didnt think of that, good point. Ya, you are already reported to the state as failed.

[starhm]

if you go somewhere else...not connected, they will pull up the computer file and should check the specific items that you were reported as failed on. i also think the clock is ticking...not sure how many days you have to become compliant. anyone know the inspection rules? might be my project today...

[GrassyKnoll]

30 days from day I failed.

Plus the guy was a tool and put EVERYTHING in as failed... so even more of a reason that I have to go back to him

[Murphy2012]

Ya, that sucks. Next time contact the people that you know own garages....ME.

[GrassyKnoll]

Ya, that sucks. Next time contact the people that you know own garages....ME.

yep. next time that will definately be done.

[2mprzya]

just go somewhere that you know somebody, that they dont own the garage, and dont care about the shop. last time i failed, i went to sears at the mall in newington and the guy just said i changed everything out and passed me. as long as you get puller over, and take the blame saying you put everything back on after the inspection, they wont get into trouble.

[starhm]

tint is about the only thing a road side stop can get, isnt it? they dont get too indepth with a vehicle inspection as long as you werent a complete arse. good luck, let us know how it goes.

[wagonmafia]

keep us posted. my time of judgement is coming up fast.

[GrassyKnoll]

ok so, here's the deal. I don't want to take it back to valvoline cause the guy was kind of a douche about everything.

My question is, can I take it to a different place even if valvoline failed it? I don't see why this would be an issue but let me know if anyone knows that it is.

[AllWheelDriveIsAllIllDriv]

I went to a different place after the village garage failed me last year. I had to pay them but then when I went to the other place where a friend worked. Had to pay again(well he owed me money so its like I almost didnt pay) but I got inspected.

gotta do this same thing when I get home. and renew the license. woot woot for birthday bashes on the mountains:)

[GrassyKnoll]

Just took it over to the guys at Range. The windows read 35% on their tint meter. The exhaust is 100% to code. Car passed with no issues.

Moral of the story: **** VALVOLINE!

[2mprzya]

Just took it over to the guys at Range. The windows read 35% on their tint meter. The exhaust is 100% to code. Car passed with no issues.

Moral of the story: **** VALVOLINE!

wouldn't say its 100% to code...

but i'm glad they passed you man!

[GrassyKnoll]

they said it was... whatev

[My Name]

Ya so I'm a tool. Sorry man I failed your car but with the area manger is there I had to or I would lose my job. I can take care of you next time around to make up for it.