Did we get taken advantage of for Maryland car inspection as out of staters?

Submitted by redspacecraft t3_y43nug in baltimore

My wife and I just moved to Baltimore from another state a few weeks ago and are trying to register our car. We have been following procedure and went to a shop for an inspection today. We drive a 2013 Chrysler 200 that has been well maintained and checked out fine at our old mechanic. We were surprised when we found out our car failed. They marked failure for front and rear strusts being rusted and leaking, our rear lower control arm has wear, our lower torque, and the small less than half inch chip in our window. We did not get the repairs done today because I thought it might be fishy since we are out of state? Is it really this hard to pass inspection or is something else up?

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locker1313 t1_isby790 wrote

Take it somewhere else for a second opinion.

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redspacecraft OP t1_isbzeu4 wrote

Where would you recommend?

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actias345 t1_iscajo6 wrote

I went to AutoStream in Hampden (which was Brentwood Automotive at the time) when I moved here a few years ago with a decently-but-not-impeccably-maintained 2007 Civic and all they dinged me for was a burned out light bulb above my license plate. They definitely won my loyalty with that.

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SockaSockaSock t1_iscu31l wrote

I had a good experience here too a while back. Can’t speak to how they are now though.

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brocialism t1_iseo2lo wrote

They're on the pricier side in general, but I've never had the feeling that they're trying to take advantage of me.

If Keswick Auto does inspections, they are also very honest and have always done right by me.

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ACKjp t1_ishbve2 wrote

Just moved here from VT a few months ago and can vouch for Keswick Auto, they’re quick and their prices are fair

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kyashi t1_isc3wnq wrote

I went to BM Auto Service in Columbia a few years ago with my 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Failed for a burned out parking light, he fixed it for a few bucks, passed.

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OwsleysApples t1_isj1qu8 wrote

If you are anywhere near Towson Hollenshades is the move

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JonWilso t1_isbzy94 wrote

When you get an inspection, shops tend to be much more thorough. They're at risk of losing their ability to do inspections if the State Police come around and find they've been passing cars they shouldn't be.

Some shops in general are also just a lot more thorough and will give you a list of everything that is anywhere near replacement where as some will casually mention it or not even bother if it's not urgent.

Take it somewhere else for a second opinion if you feel sketched out.

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peanutnozone t1_isbyuce wrote

I've been through this twice. Once, I got the car inspected, it failed, I got the repairs done, the guy who inspected it disappeared, had to get it inspected again, it failed IN DIFFERENT WAYS, had to pay another large sum of money to repair OTHER things, and then it was legal. All in the inspections and repairs cost me about $2K, which at the time was a crap ton of money that I had to use all my savings for.

I've lived here for years now and this is the only thing that I personally have experienced that's terrible, and I've said it a long time now and it's definitely a racket. There are ... some shady things going on with it. Some people or parts of the process are certainly on the up-and-up, but it'll screw you every time.

Sorry you went through this.

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PancakeJamboree302 t1_isc6u4i wrote

I’ve always thought this method is nonsense. You want me to get inspected by someone who profits in failing me? What?? I only had to go through MD inspection once and they were pretty stupid about it and I ended up having to replace some thing that I did not agree with at all.

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ledman3214 t1_isc27i1 wrote

I’ve moved to MD twice and had a different car each time. Both cars were in what I would consider good shape. Both had recently passed VA inspections. Both failed first time inspections in MD. I’d get a second opinion, but don’t be surprised if you need to make some repairs before passing.

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Mathemeatloaf0 t1_isdlmup wrote

Currently when an inspection is done everything is entered electronically in the system. If the vehicle fails you have 30 days to have the repairs done at a shop of your choice and can return to have the car reinspected at no charge. If you do get a 2nd inspection done within those 30 days at a different shop your prior inspection outcome will be the first thing the new inspector will see. The new inspector will NOT pass you unless those initial repairs have been done. Because the results are entered in the system it can be seen by MD state troopers office. If your car passes the 2nd inspection within 30 days it raises a red flag that you would pay out of pocket again for an inspection within 30 days when you could have went back to the initial inspector for free. State troopers will visit the 2nd inspector to inquire why the car was passed. And unfortunately that is the reason why the 2nd inspector will NOT pass you. After 30 days you’re free and clear and the new inspector doesn’t feel as trapped but you will have to pay again to get it inspected.

You can certainly get a 2nd inspection but I would find a good, honest mechanic first to see if those “repairs” actually need to be done.

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HorsieJuice t1_isemayi wrote

The inspection system in this state is fucking nuts. It’s super thorough when you first register the car, but then you literally never have to get it done again, except for emissions.

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Lfc-96 t1_isc2nve wrote

I had the same sort of problems with the inspection process when I moved from FL too. When the mechanic did the inspection, there were all sorts of "problems." These included the stitching in the drivers seat coming undone to the headlamps were too foggy to the passenger window that wouldn't roll down (there were also engine issues as well). The bill was ~2k and I even took it to a second opinion which came out to about the same. Mind you, my car was in decent order and no beater by any stretch.

I understand the importance of having a safe car but it felt like the mechanics were taking me for a spin. Turns out that this is the norm from what coworkers have said. The inspection checklist that Maryland has is ridiculous but at least it not PA where you have to do this every 2 years!

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Obasan123 t1_iscrcd1 wrote

I'll chime in with the second opinion suggestions. We ran up against this when we first moved here, and that was at the end of the horse and buggy days. Just mention you're not getting the work done at the inspection station. Cannot recommend a good mechanic as I don't drive any more.

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YogurtHeals t1_isiknd0 wrote

Archaic and insane imo.

Maryland is filled with rust buckets already.

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