I'd have to see that to believe it--unless the poster was "Named Removed"

Very sad story....

I'll edit my post to clarify that. Thanks.

Mine is due this month and I'll be going to have it inspected.

I particularly think it's important, not only for regular cars and trucks, but for the big rigs that we all drive along side on the expressways. We need to be doing all that we can to keep one another safe, and if that means an hour of my time once a year and $20, then I'm all for it!

Just an emissions test in TN, and nothing in Iowa or Colorado (well, CO checks the VIN...)

I don't have any objection in principle, though. There's some shit ass vehicles on the road.

there are only a few cities/counties that require any check/test.

They do not check for tread wear, and will not fail the car for bald tired, bad brakes, or other mechanical problems.

There's something to be said for personal responsibility. I get my car's oil changed at a mechanic shop so that he can check the entire car for safety and impending mechanical problems. Last time he did it he told me the tread was beginning to separate on one tire, so I was at the tire shop the next day. Jiffy Lube might have noticed tread wear, but they would never have been able to catch that separation issue.

Drivers beware.

in fact, I have 16 grandchildren all over the U.S....the ones that drive old cars...get an inspection by sharing a 6 pack of beer with their buddies who know someone who will write out a good safety inspection.

Don't think it doesn't happen. I have seen it done for senior citizens, (including me) although i don't drink beer, and didn't provide beer to anyone...they just knew me.....Belieive me the teenagers THEY ALL KNOW WHERE TO GO.

It's one of those laws that just brings about 20 bucks into the state for reasons unknown, cuz no one spends time..if you live in a small town and KNOW everyone..guess what???????? It's sort of like the Handicap laws for parking near businesses...My husband had handicap plates and could never get a place close by because teens have grandma's temporary tag around their mirrors....or not. They don't care..AND IT IS NOT ENFORCED.

Getting vehicles inspected is worthless!!!!!!

We have to get ours inspected at the DMV every two years. Besides emissions they check the basics: tires, windshield wipers, lights and brakes. It doesn't hurt to have another pair of eyes check out your car and nudge you to do your routine maintenance once in a while.

My only gripe is that they used to pass you if you had a minor problem with your assurance you would take care of it immediately, now they force a recheck for every little thing. I had some tail light out (one of five bulbs on each side--so less than 20% of my taillights) and I had to fix it before they would pass. It happened to be a 95 degree day and I had to crawl around my trunk for 45 minutes messing with the tiniest bulb I have ever seen. But I got it done and it probably marginally helps with visibility. With no inspection I would never have even noticed that tiny area of taillight was burned out.

being done because the people in these outlying cities don' EVEN CHECK them..and for a 6 pack will write you a receipt saying everything IS PERFECT. They did it to me always on a 13 year old car (I do take care of my cars) I had the tires and brakes checked yearly since becoming a widow...but
I am saying people take their cars in whether they are 16 or 75 and get a receipt and nothing
is even checked. The car is not even moved.

Sorry for the confusion

I'm sure there are lots of winks and nods in small towns. Even at a State run facility, I am sure there are allowances for friends and family.

Prior to routine emissions testing here, there were many more locations for us to get our cars inspected and the local DMVs were more forgiving. Once they consolidated (emissions testing equipment and properly ventilated testing centers are apparently expensive) not so much leeway.

So not a very strong case being made.

And they have even clamped down harder, mandating every used car lot get a new inspection when they get a vehicle, even if the previous owner just did it. And inspections are now tied to tag renewal so no more stealing a sticker.

Biggest problem is everybody knows somebody who will just write down paperwork for a pass for friends and family, so it really ends up just being a tax with no teeth.

Ranking right up there with handguns and fossil fueled power plants.

The final death toll from fossil fuel will be billions of people, and millions of species.

That said, California only inspects for smog, and we have a state buyback program for cars that can't pass.

A car that has numerous mechanical faults and can't pass the smog test without a major repair simply isn't worth keeping unless it's an honest classic vehicle worthy of a full restoration.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/avrp/avrp.htm

Still, it seems to me, many cars get recycled needlessly, raising the price of used car in general and necessitating the manufacture of new cars. One of our family cars reached clunker status and was eligible for "retirement" but I fixed it myself with scrapyard parts and it's passed two smog tests since.

Was it worth the effort I put into it?

But it's one less new car that has to be made for now, and besides I hate buying cars, new or used.

You can hydroplane with a brand new set of tires if you exceed safe speed for the conditions..

Like he has to plug it into a scanner and the machine checks to see if it has a "check engine" problem. That's it though.

because of bald tires. A car cut me off on the expressway and I hit the brakes, but because of the tires, I skidded across the road and the car overturned. Fortunately, I was not badly injured. But I did have to have a few stitches in my scalp. What is ironic is that I finally had enough money to replace the tires and had been planning to do that the next day.

Now I make sure my tires are replaced before they hit the low tread mark.