# Exxon Tries to rip me off doing a state vehicle inspection **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 8, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347 "2003-10-08T19:51:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/1 "2003-10-08T19:51:40Z")
In Maryland a car only gets a mechanical safety inspection one time when the used car is registered. The Exxon station told me I needed about $600 to repair 1) A Wheel bearing; 2) Power Steering hose; 3) One of Two Bulbs are out on the License Plate; and 4) Stickers on the Windshield. 1. Just pulled the wheel / brakes / and hub. NOT A DAMN THING WRONG!!! 2. PS Hose was leaking but did not need replacement. A 10 cent O-ring fixed that problem. The five minute ride to the store took more time than the repair. 3. OK, one bulb was out - cost me nothing got lots of 194’s around. and 1. The stickers are safety and registration stickers from another state. Can this really be a safety problem. I feel like filing a complaint with the state but I will be glad to just get my certificate. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/2 "2003-10-08T19:58:15Z")
I kind of think you should report this. If not to the BBB, to Exxon HQ. If they were really telling you that it would cost $600 and it took you all of 10 minutes to fix, I think you’ve got something there. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/3 "2003-10-08T23:51:54Z")
So this is what I have to look forward to in June? My van is a '97 - I can just imagine what might be “discovered”… Good thing I know a little bit about cars. ---
**Author:** ![Oat1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Oat1957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oat1957)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/4 "2003-10-09T00:53:20Z")
What Exxon here in Md.? I took my truck to a Mr. Tire in Hampstead and they found all kinds of things wrong with it that I knew was bullshit. I took it to a gas/inspection station here and it passed with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![fushj00mang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fushj00mang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fushj00mang)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/5 "2003-10-09T03:22:04Z")
Glad that SC got rid of the state vehicle inspections back in 1995. It was because of crap like this that they eliminated the law. ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/6 "2003-10-09T15:11:51Z")
I had a guy at a brakes/muffler place pull that on me a few years ago. In Virginia, at least, you have 2 weeks to get everything fixed and reinspected. (In my case, I totalled the car before those 2 weeks were up, and thus didn’t have to go back.) Since then, I always bring in my car for inspection about 45 minutes before the place closes for the day. Amazingly, they never find anything that “needs to be repaired to be safe, I can do it for you in only a couple hours, will only cost you $bazillion.” ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/7 "2003-10-09T16:55:43Z")
It was next to the Auto Sales Park off rt 29 in Silver Spring. JerH - that is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/8 "2003-10-09T17:03:03Z")
Some guy tried to pull that crap on my wife a while back…told her she needed to have her spark plugs rotated, and it’d cost her $50. She told them she _never_ paid over $25 to have that done… ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/9 "2003-10-09T17:29:26Z")
Whoa! That Exxon is pretty close to me. I know where that is! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/10 "2003-10-09T17:35:30Z")
Heh, **roadrunner70** , don’t forget to have them check the gap on the spare. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/11 "2003-10-09T18:10:42Z")
And of course, since it is easy to do while it is apart for inspection, it would be a good time to lubricate the shockerator. dantheman: It is the one that charges $$$$$$$$$ for fuel. One would believe they would not need to pull this crap by the extra heavy price on the gas. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/12 "2003-10-09T20:05:19Z")
Don’t forget to top off the headlight fluid! ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/13 "2003-10-09T21:03:36Z")
In Louisiana you have to get what is known as a “brake tag.” Interestingly, the incredibly minor “inspection,” which amounts to making sure your lights work, does not include checking your BRAKES. I wish they’d either have actual inspections or get rid of them altogether. As it is, it’s just a way to screw you out of ten bucks now, or screw you for more later when you get pulled over for speeding and they notice you don’t have one and ticket you for that as well. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/14 "2003-10-09T21:03:50Z")
> [@](#): > > And of course, since it is easy to do while it is apart for inspection, it would be a good time to lubricate the shockerator. I bought a never-needs-lube shockerator for $850. You should really look into it. I swear that thing saves me $25 a year, at least! ---
**Author:** ![jweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@jweb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jweb)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/15 "2003-10-10T03:55:29Z")
Don’t forget about the muffler belt. Those things can be troublesome. Also, the spark plug fan on some Buick sedans from '95 - '99 can be troublesome. ---
**Author:** ![Sm\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sm\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sm_e)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/16 "2003-10-10T04:04:12Z")
Just to be an ass, I get my car inspected in Virginia. Once I got it done and they said a light was out in my blinker/brakelight, whatever, and they had to fail me. They pointed me to the local Track Auto, said “Go buy one, we will replace it.” I bought the wrong one (of course), the mechanic said “Don’t worry about it, we will trade.” Replaced it and passed me. Made me smile. ---
**Author:** ![a8917](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/90ced4/32.png) [@a8917](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a8917)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/17 "2014-06-21T13:10:18Z")
Please avoid going to Exxon in rockville pike Md. I just went last Tuesday to get my car inspected. They told me that the rack pinion of my car was leaking and I need it to fix it right away. They told me that the price to fixe it was 820$ that’s insane!!! I doubt about their diagnostic. I took my car to a mechanic . He checked twice to see if the rack pinion was leaking but it wasn’t. I took my car to another inspection place and passed no rack leaking at all. They should feel ashamed trying to steal money from people. I would like to repot them. Does anyone know where can I report them? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/18 "2014-06-21T13:17:34Z")
> [@a8917](#): > > Please avoid going to Exxon in rockville pike Md. I just went last Tuesday to get my car inspected. They told me that the rack pinion of my car was leaking and I need it to fix it right away. They told me that the price to fixe it was 820$ that’s insane!!! I doubt about their diagnostic. I took my car to a mechanic . He checked twice to see if the rack pinion was leaking but it wasn’t. I took my car to another inspection place and passed no rack leaking at all. They should feel ashamed trying to steal money from people. I would like to repot them. Does anyone know where can I report them? Write them a strongly worded [email or call](http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/company/contact-us/directory/service-station-customerrelated). ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/19 "2014-06-21T20:04:38Z")
The Maryland State vehicle inspectors are licensed by the State Police, and the State Police take violations very seriously. Here is their contact info: Maryland State Police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED) 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE Glen Burnie, MD 21062 For Telephone Questions: MVA Customer Service Center: Out-of-State 1-800-950-1MVA (1682) or 410-768-7000 1-301-729-4550 TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563 ---
**Author:** ![cedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347/20 "2014-06-21T23:36:44Z")
Not inspection related but… Friend gave us a 99 Dodge Caravan. (Never thought I’d own a mini-van!) Van was sputtering and jerking down the road, Friend took it to a shop where they said the transmission was bad and needed rebuilt/replaced. Friend bought a new van and gave the old one to me as I deal with scrap metal. On a hunch we called our mechanic to check it out. Over the phone he diagnosed it as a bad spark plug. He showed up with a USED spark plug and the thing has ran fine for 4 years now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-tries-to-rip-me-off-doing-a-state-vehicle-inspection/206347.md?page=2)