Submitted by PivotalPosture t3_10pityz in Pennsylvania
My van doesn’t have any yet on the exterior, but based on all this salt, it will…
There is light rust on the underbody… will that make it fail?
What does PA look for on an inspection?
Comments
PivotalPosture OP t1_j6kpedb wrote
What about when the weather is below freezing? I’ve heard that washing when it’s below freezing isn’t good either…
Mijbr090490 t1_j6kq6kh wrote
The wash I go to is heated and it dries you off at the end, so I don't think freezing temps would matter. I always keep my truck clean this time of year. The salt does a number on these old boxed Toyota frames.
festerwl t1_j6kpo88 wrote
Rust holes into the passenger cabin, on the frame, and compromising suspension components will be a fail
Surface rust won't be an issue.
OhioJeeper t1_j6ngrwh wrote
Not necessarily into the passenger cabin, basically anything that someone could brush up against and get cut on is going to fail it according to my mechanic when I had a couple of quarter size holes in the bed sides of my truck. I threw some cheap fender flares on it to pass but was told metal duct tape would have also been sufficient.
Gord_Is_Good t1_j6o1996 wrote
I used the duct tape on an old station wagon we once owned, and it passed. Unfortunately, the frame rusted through a year or so later, so it had to be junked.
xAsroilu t1_j6kzacy wrote
Apprentice Mechanic here. Sometimes if the rust is a direct threat to the safety of a vehicle then yes, if it is only topical (no holes) then no.
usaf_photog t1_j6kwctn wrote
Yes, I had to patch weld my truck frame to get it to pass inspection because of rust. The truck body was in perfect shape but the frame was rusting away.
xeio87 t1_j6lzrj7 wrote
Had my old car get patched for rusted out parts of the frame once, second time a few years later it was so bad they couldn't patch and I got a new car. Just the way it goes with all the salt on the roads in winter and time being what it is.
usaf_photog t1_j6m9wxj wrote
Ya, the fix only works for so long. There really should be more vehicles sold with frames made of stainless steel or something more resistant to rust.
CharacterBrief9121 t1_j6mxzuj wrote
Lol you want to pay like $100K for a hatchback. That’s wayyyyyyyyy too expensive
Mijbr090490 t1_j6n1xm3 wrote
Fyi, if you take care of your vehicle it won't rust to pieces.
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_j6n7lnh wrote
It's this, people are insanely lazy about taking care of their things. Cars are expensive, take care of them.
Mijbr090490 t1_j6nqsav wrote
My truck is an 06 with 240k miles and you wouldn't be able to tell. I spend a day each month cleaning it and doing any needed maintenance. Plus I take it to the wash once a week. Still way cheaper than a car payment or serious repairs.
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_j6nr559 wrote
I once saw someone clean snow off their car with a metal snow shovel, put a giant scratch into the fender, and just leave it that way until it rotted. Car wasn't even a year old.
thunderGunXprezz t1_j6l08d1 wrote
Did they fail it? If so, what for? I've lived in PA all my life and have dealt with plenty of rusted out vehicles that fail inspection. Usually it's only when the frame or something critical like that is compromised.
Also, having several family members in the auto body and auto service industries, this isn't exactly something to overlook. It sucks, but in the event that an avoidable failure causes an accident, you'd certainly be liable. Again it sucks, but it's kinda part of being a responsible vehicle operator. If your kid was on a school bus that had a rusted out frame that caused an accident I'm sure you'd feel differently.
PivotalPosture OP t1_j6l0hft wrote
I recently moved & will be getting it inspected. My van isn’t rusty by no means but I’ve heard how strict PA can be so I am mentally preparing for that
thunderGunXprezz t1_j6l1oit wrote
As I said, it's only going to fail if it's unsafe for the road... that I know of. I don't think body rust is a problem unless you're talking about pieces potentially falling off as you drive. People like to shit on the inspection in general, but I think that mostly comes from shops that embellish problems and try to coerce people into fixing things that they might not need to. I think that's usually few and far between and you always have an option to get a second opinion.
Trying not to be too preachy here, but in my opinion if you're driving a 2 ton hunk of metal down the road at 65 mph next to me during my morning commute, I'd hope that you'd have enough respect to feel some responsibility that your shit box isn't going to drop a piece of your bumper on the turnpike (looking at you Ohio). This of course isn't directly aimed at you but it hopefully explains why these regulations are necessary to hopefully let as many of us get home safely every day.
sg92i t1_j6m950j wrote
> People like to shit on the inspection in general, but I think that mostly comes from shops that embellish problems and try to coerce people into fixing things that they might not need to
It depends on where you are in PA. In some counties the techs are hard asses and nitpick fail you over the stupidest shit not because they want to, but because they're being put under heavy handed pressure by the state police & other gov officials to fail a certain amount of cars per year. They will come into the shop and look at your books periodically and if they think you pass too many cars (even if its because there was nothing wrong with those cars) they'll accuse you of being a lick & stick place and threaten to take away your license to inspect cars.
If the tech is failing you for stupid shit but isn't giving you a quote to fix it, especially if they don't even want you to hire them to fix it, they're not the problem.
I've lived in a few different counties in PA and its like a night & day difference on how hard it is to pass because of this. Also, the counties that are hard asses about inspections also tend to be the counties where state police are the most aggressive at ticketing for expired inspection stickers.
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_j6n7o9c wrote
Pennsylvania isn't that strict, I've driven some real shitheaps in my life and never had them failed for rust.
Hazel1928 t1_j6o62jc wrote
What county or counties?
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_j6o8vpb wrote
Northumberland and Allegheny. IME they're looking for shit like perforation rust on frame rails or important suspension bits like strut towers.
Woodyee101 t1_j6mu3f3 wrote
PA inspections are such a scam. I’m sure there are honest mechanics out there. But I have yet to find an honest mexhanic
RememberCitadel t1_j6phkpb wrote
I have found a few over the years, and a few on the opposite side as well. I would say if it isn't a dealership, you have a pretty even chance of finding a good one.
The biggest problem is you can tell if they are a good shop if they are booked solid. Have to find that balance of small enough shop to be legit, but not too small to where they lack expertise.
Alternative-Flan2869 t1_j6kslzx wrote
My folks had a stunning 66 t-bird that during its last oil change, the mechanic noticed severe frame rust and said it was going to fail inspection. A neighbor kid bought it for what we would junk it, and in 2 weeks, it cracked in half. My dad offered to pay the kid back his money, but the kid said no - it was worth ever penny!
GTTrush t1_j6l6tt2 wrote
If the rust has seriously damaged the frame or unibody affecting the structural integrity it will fail. If the rust has caused holes that could allow exhaust gas to enter the passenger compartment it will fail. That said, rust on the front fenders ect., should not be reason to fail.
sg92i t1_j6m9joh wrote
> That said, rust on the front fenders ect., should not be reason to fail.
In my county the state police will pull the fresh inspection sticker clear off your windshield and threaten to take away the tech who put it there's license to inspect cars if they see "rough edges" due to rust holes along your tire wells (on the fender lip). They will similarly do the same if you have broken or missing cosmetic body parts (like the plastic that covers bumpers but serves no actual purpose besides looks & aerodynamics) leaving gaps or sharp edges, which they call "catch points" because in some absurd situations someone might, in theory but not in reality, get their clothes snagged on it and be pulled into the car if you hit a pedestrian.
PA really has two, no make that 3 different tiers on how hard or easy it is to pass vehicle inspections depending on where you live. If you're in an urban environment the safety tends to be lax but the emissions part is harder. If you're in a rural, especially if its poor county where emissions isn't even done the safety will be tough as nails. Some places are between the two extremes.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6nslbr wrote
Yeah we certainly have a problem with corrupt cops in this state
A_Fartful_Dodger t1_j6lfz5s wrote
Depends how much rust. My first car eventually failed inspections because of rust. I asked to see and the mechanic took me under the loft and showed me the back of all my footwell carpets.
JessieTheValet t1_j6ll9y4 wrote
If you intend to keep the van for a while look into getting it oil sprayed.
Prometheus_303 t1_j6m1seo wrote
I'm not sure how much rust is too much rust, but yeah.... They will fail you if you do have too much rust.
I had to get rid of my jeep because the floor was too rusted. They told me they might be able to patch it up enough they might be able to pass it that year, but that'd be the end of it.... They were surprised I wasn't already driving Fred Flinstone style with my feet going through the floor....
Darkwing___Duck t1_j6n3bp9 wrote
Basically, it depends who you go to. My MIL took her car to a random shop instead of the one I usually go to. They failed her for bad wipers and such. The one I go to slapped the sticker on, with a warning to switch the wipers.
glitch83 t1_j6kvj0g wrote
Get a second opinion if you doubt it
3nder1984 t1_j6kxvro wrote
Yes
JohnDeere714 t1_j6l94r9 wrote
I think some shops told me if the rust hole was the size of your fist it would fail. I can’t remember off the top of my head. But hell I’ve seen trucks with the frame broke in half still on the road.
Professional-Pea-962 t1_j6l9e5d wrote
Get a can of fluid film for like 9 bucks once a year won’t have to ever worry about rust
PivotalPosture OP t1_j6l9waq wrote
I’ll do that this summer. Will this protect from rust that’s already there?
ralechner t1_j6mpfy4 wrote
Structural integrity issues underneath, or larger than a dime holes in the body are typically failed at inspection.
No-Setting9690 t1_j6mx04q wrote
Only when the rust compromises the integrity of the piece. Frames, holes in fenders, etc. Even then, the frame one is really the only worry.
Viperlite t1_j6ojt4x wrote
You can see for yourself by looking at the PENNDOT regulations HERE.
Sub chapter E lists the covered components and the inspection procedure for light cars and trucks. There are some runs provisions in the body pan and frame inspections, as well as exhaust.
No_Square_2111 t1_j6mxg1d wrote
This state will do anything to screw you over so.. might as well assume it will fail.
74orangebeetle t1_j6mzmjd wrote
My username relevant, yes :(
If it's just light rust I doubt it will fail. They also have other annoying stuff they can fail you for...example: a car doesn't have to have fog lights at all whatsoever, but if your car DOES have them, they all have to work, even if you never use them...even though cars aren't even required to have them.
drunkmonkey176 t1_j6n69ag wrote
Yes. I have borderline PTSD from dealing with failed PA inspections over bullshit.
drxdrg08 t1_j6kplzl wrote
> There is light rust on the underbody… will that make it fail?
What do you think?
On a scale of 0% to 100%, using all your intelligence and common sense, what do you think is the probability that light rust on the underbody makes a vehicle fail inspection in PA?
PivotalPosture OP t1_j6kqna8 wrote
I don’t know, I just moved here? There are no holes
drxdrg08 t1_j6kqu9o wrote
> I don’t know
I asked about your opinion, "using all your intelligence and common sense".
ewyorksockexchange t1_j6kusof wrote
C’mon man, you’re being really aggressive about this. It’s not out of the question that someone with little knowledge of cars, especially coming from a state that possibly doesn’t even have yearly inspections, would be worried about rust and PA’s arcane inspection requirements.
This is a Reddit forum, it’s not like this guy slapped a sandwich out of you hand and forced you to answer this question or something.
PivotalPosture OP t1_j6kqyx8 wrote
I mean, i don’t know… I have rust. No holes. What does PA typically fail for?
dalex89 t1_j6kt23d wrote
they fail for holes, even a little rust hole on the rear quarter panel above the rear well (looking at u honda)
the good news, i just throw a piece of tape over it and have never failed an inspection... after the first one i almost failed for not having a piece of tape on it
--Cr1imsoN-- t1_j6kvnk7 wrote
Jesus fucking Christ. You are really this desperate to try and get a rise out of someone aren't you. Truly pathetic. Stop being a douche.
Mijbr090490 t1_j6kpa2q wrote
The frame would have to be rusted through or suspension parts broken off. Large holes in the body will fail too. Keep the car rinsed off in the winter. A lot of the car washes going in have a monthly pass. Pays for itself this time of year.