Will my car pass an MA inspection?
October 7, 2014 5:55 PM Subscribe
Prominent damage to the hood (opens and closes normally). Radiator support is bent but everything under the hood is fine. Bumper is fixed, lights all work. The grille isn't particularly sturdy, but it stays in place, and there's a star about the size of a dime in the windshield.
Picture of the hood.
Internet wisdom says I should give it a try, and that it depends a lot on who is doing the inspection... but is there a realistic chance of me passing, or do I need to fix the hood and radiator support completely first?
(These are the official guidelines.)
Picture of the hood.
Internet wisdom says I should give it a try, and that it depends a lot on who is doing the inspection... but is there a realistic chance of me passing, or do I need to fix the hood and radiator support completely first?
(These are the official guidelines.)
The only thing about taking it and not passing is then you have a rejection sticker on your car which is basically a magnet for cops and a reason for them to pull you over, just to check. So if there's any reason you'd rather not be pulled over, then get the things fixed first. It's no worse than an expired sticker, I suppose, though I've had plenty of expired stickers and never been pulled over but the one time I had a rejection sticker I did get pulled over. 'I notice you have a rejection sticker there..." and then I had to show him the report and that I was within the window for getting it fixed.
Other than that, there's no harm in getting a rejection sticker and, as NotMyselfRightNow said, you'll then get an idea of what you need to fix.
If you do take it in, mention NOTHING about the things you told us. Let them find those things, or not. If they mention them to you, just sort of shrug and tell them you didn't think that was a safety issue and you're planning on getting it fixed soon. Depending on who you take it to they might let it slide though probably not if it really is a safety concern.
There's a good chance they'll take one look at that hood and tell you not to even bother getting it inspected until you get it fixed.
Ask around, friends and neighbors might know of a particularly liberal shop.
posted by bondcliff at 6:20 PM on October 7, 2014
Other than that, there's no harm in getting a rejection sticker and, as NotMyselfRightNow said, you'll then get an idea of what you need to fix.
If you do take it in, mention NOTHING about the things you told us. Let them find those things, or not. If they mention them to you, just sort of shrug and tell them you didn't think that was a safety issue and you're planning on getting it fixed soon. Depending on who you take it to they might let it slide though probably not if it really is a safety concern.
There's a good chance they'll take one look at that hood and tell you not to even bother getting it inspected until you get it fixed.
Ask around, friends and neighbors might know of a particularly liberal shop.
posted by bondcliff at 6:20 PM on October 7, 2014
Bondcliff has it; some inspectors (particularly if they know that you'll be back to fix anything important) are pretty liberal. Also, with all the stuff that's going on with your car, it's probably a good idea to build up a good relationship with a shop, as it sounds like you'll be there again soon....
posted by jenkinsEar at 6:41 PM on October 7, 2014
posted by jenkinsEar at 6:41 PM on October 7, 2014
I have found with my inspections in NY that cosmetic damage is not the issue. To me, the likely issue is the windshield which is a safety issue. With the windshield, even if you pass inspection a police officer can ticket you. I think the size of yours is ok (see below), but if it spreads, that is an easy ticket to get.
8c(2) says the star can be no more than an inch if it is in the viewing area. A dime is smaller than an inch. When you bring it in, make your case. "Hey when you look at the windshield, there is a star in the left side. I measured it and it is less than an inch."
I think it is worth the try.
posted by 724A at 7:08 PM on October 7, 2014
8c(2) says the star can be no more than an inch if it is in the viewing area. A dime is smaller than an inch. When you bring it in, make your case. "Hey when you look at the windshield, there is a star in the left side. I measured it and it is less than an inch."
I think it is worth the try.
posted by 724A at 7:08 PM on October 7, 2014
One thing to keep in mind is that I believe if you fail an inspection, you have to go back and get re-inspected at the same place. (I could be wrong so it's worth double checking, but that's what happened with a friend of mine who recently failed her inspection in MA.) It's still probably worth a shot, but just go to a place that you feel comfortable with/is easy to get to if you need to be re-inspected.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:25 PM on October 7, 2014
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:25 PM on October 7, 2014
not making a value judgement either way here as to whether or not you'll pass, but does the hood latch on BOTH latches? as in, there's the main latch and the "safety" latch that keeps it latched even if you release from inside. Is it latched on both? or just the safety latch. Because if it doesn't latch on both, that's a legitimate safety concern. If it's just bent and they fail you... well that might just be how it is, but that's totally moronic.
posted by emptythought at 9:25 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by emptythought at 9:25 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 6:12 PM on October 7, 2014