NH State Car Inspection needed?

bigdog · 06-16-2011, 08:14 AM

Have to get my car's annual NH State Car Inspection performed.

Fairly new to lakes region, and don't know a lot of repair shop places
Last inspection performed at McGreevy's in Blemont, but they went out of business recently. Too bad, they were very good !

Also steering away from certain dealerships, known for the unreputable practices.

What is the typical cost for the NH State inspection, My car is a 2005, and was just quoted by a shop for $48, includes the engine test.
Cost seems rather high !

Any suggestions for reapair shops around Laconia, Gilford or Belmont area, who perform this state inspetion would be appreciated.

Thanks,
BD

Little Bear · 06-16-2011, 08:24 AM

I use Prestige Automotive on Gilford East Drive in Gilford for all my vehicles. 528-6830.

budman · 06-16-2011, 01:16 PM

$48 is the cost of the inspection. It's the same anywhere you go.

SIKSUKR · 06-16-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

$48 is the cost of the inspection. It's the same anywhere you go.

Not true.$29 at Speedy Lube in Manchester.$25 at Midas.

Rusty · 06-16-2011, 02:13 PM

Although all drivers in New Hampshire have to have their cars inspected, not all drivers pay the same price. Different garages are allowed to charge different prices for inspections, so it may pay to shop around. Some garages charge as much as $50 for the inspection, while others are as low as $20.

Under state law, the inspection is the same everywhere and includes a mandatory yearly emissions test for most cars (depending on the year built).

The only state rule about the cost is that garages must post the price per Saf-C 3208.03 Inspection Fee Sign (see below).

Saf-C 3208.03 Inspection Fee Sign.

(a) Each official inspection station shall conspicuously post a sign showing the inspection fee charged, on the outside of the building.

(b) Each sign shall be no less than 12 inches in height by 18 inches in length, bearing the words:
VEHICLE INSPECTION
FEE $________

(c) Each letter and number shall be no less than 8 inches in height with a 3/4 inch brush stroke.

(d) Each inspection station shall enter the appropriate fee in the space provided.

(e) More than one sign may be posted.

(f) If the inspection fee includes a separate fee for an OBD-II inspection, the inspection station shall break down the two fees on one sign, pursuant to RSA 266:1, VII. This sign shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in (c) above.

Bubs · 06-16-2011, 02:22 PM

Important: A lot of the cheaper places will get that extra money back by failing your car for things that other places would not. It's an unfortunate practice that takes place all over the area. It's essentially a bait-and-switch tactic, enticing customers in with extraordinarily low inspection prices, and then failing the inspection for a "lot of problems" and charging for hundreds of dollars in work.

For example, and I am not going to give names because this was a few years ago, my mother decided to go to a place that was charging $5 for inspections. They wound up failing the car for a variety of odd reasons, which she then had checked out at a more reputable shop that found that none of those issues existed.

Sometimes cheap does not directly equal better, and sadly the automotive business can be a shady place sometimes. If you have work that you need done on your car that you are not comfortable doing yourself, you are better off to find a small, local shop that you can trust.

bigdog · 06-16-2011, 02:53 PM

Jiust contacted a Midas shop in lakes region, they all do for $25,statewide, and includes 'emissions' testing.

Thanks for the tip SIKSUKR !

BD

Belmont Resident · 06-16-2011, 03:03 PM

Theres so many around where do we start.....

CateP · 06-16-2011, 05:19 PM

Midas
1022 Union Avenue
Laconia, NH 03246
603-524-2240

fatlazyless · 06-16-2011, 07:10 PM

http://www.vipauto.com/-images-coupo...spection-8.pdf this link isn't working but VIP Auto has five dollar NH & Maine inspections through June 30. Go to www.vipauto.com and clink on Special Offers down at the bottom.

AB_Monterey · 06-16-2011, 09:38 PM

VIP? Two words: Never again.

http://www.wmur.com/news/21442178/detail.html

Oh, and I can tell you first hand that the "cheap inspection = laundry list of reasons why your car failed inspection" is definitely part of their modus operandi.

DON'T.

fatlazyless · 06-17-2011, 06:13 AM

I've had a couple different cars inspected at the Laconia VIP over the last few years and it was straight forward, no big deal, and the car got the sticker, and it all seemed above board the way it is supposed to be.

That WMUR link is from October 2009 and for a Concord NH VIP, and VIP has a large number of different locations. With the sticker, it only costs five dollars to give it a go, so you can always just say no to any repair suggestions, and say thanks but no thanks, and go somewhere else. With a stop-loss of five dollars, five dollars is 35-dollars less than the standard 40-dollar fee.

Probably, VIP got caught making phoney inspection recommendations back in 2009 in Concord, and now the entire chain of VIP's perform their state inspections with the same good intentions as a priest in peril!

AB_Monterey · 06-17-2011, 09:22 AM

I got a nifty new motor from VIP thanks to one of their bargain oil changes.

Have at it!

fatlazyless · 06-17-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB_Monterey

I got a nifty new motor from VIP thanks to one of their bargain oil changes.

Have at it!

Must have forgot to tighten the oil drain plug or something? What happened?

VIP-Laconia oil & filter change - $19.95

Irwin Zone Quik Lube oil & filter Change - $27.00

Wal-Mart-Plymouth or Tilton: Oil & Filter Change - $30.00 although they seem to be running a Dale Earnhart Jr $24.00 Oil & Filter change for much of the time.

Lovering Volvo oil & filter change - no clue?

Meredith Ford - no clue?

Belknap Suburu - no clue?

Laconia (Meredith) Harley Davidson - no clue?

Do-it-yourself: about fifteen dollars for 5-quarts and a filter.

patman · 06-17-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB_Monterey

VIP? Two words: Never again.

http://www.wmur.com/news/21442178/detail.html

I got tires at VIP in Laconia a few weeks ago (and I agree...never again...but that's a different story) but I did overhear some inspection talk.

One woman was there with a minivan. She was told the car needed front tires, the rear tires were marginal but would pass, it needed brakes all around, but the worst thing was the car had a 'large fluid leak' of some sort, and they wouldn't pass it with the leak. They couldn't tell if it was the engine or transmission, but they suspected it was the crankshaft seal. She pressed them for how much, and after looking up a bunch of stuff and making some calls, they gave her an estimate of $1500+ for just the fluid leak. She said "OK, I know I need the tires and brakes, but a leak? If I get the tires and brakes I can get a sticker on it again." "Not here you can't, if it was just dripping a little, we could pass it, but this is a really bad leak, and it's unsafe." was the reply. She repeated "Yeah, I can get a sticker, but not here", thanked them, and took her keys back.

As she was driving out, I noticed that the vehicle was being used as a school bus.

It had the flip-up sign with the blinker lights on the roof rack, and stickers on the sides. That car had probably been used that morning to transport kids. Nice.

AB_Monterey · 06-17-2011, 03:56 PM

They installed the wrong filter on the car.

It blew off on RT93 at 70mph. Engine was toast before I got to the breakdown lane.

I can get an oil change at the dealer, Foss in Exeter, for $24.95.

Alton Bay · 06-17-2011, 06:45 PM

Sydow's Auto Service Center
110 NH Route 106
Gilmanton, NH 03237-4922
(603) 267-1100

Jeff is a honest hard working guy and he'll take good care of you.

Rusty · 06-17-2011, 07:30 PM

Here is a multiple choice question for everyone:

How do automobile repair businesses make their money?

A. Annual Inspections.
B. Repairs and parts.

I’ll say no more.

songkrai · 06-18-2011, 03:12 PM

I was at a body shop/collision center where I had work done on my car. Over the years I get inspection there. $45.00. My truck is new so no issues. One time I was there one of this body shops competitors came for a visit. Out of his mouth were the words something like this:

I never let a customer leave my shop when inspection is done unless I can geet at least $250.00 of work.

Of course not newer cars. Older cars/trucks. Maybe the fellow was joking. I don't know. Again, maybe he was just joking around.

All should seek out local independent mechanic. Ask around. Ask your neighbors. As people at your place of worship.

There should be nothing wrong with any franchise shop. But sadly a few are just plain unscrupulous. They have a franchise fee that must be paid every month or year. Some really try to be honest. But a few just wish to replace parts. As many parts as they can get away with.

AB_Monterey · 06-18-2011, 08:07 PM

Last Feb, my son took his Jimmy to the VIP in Londonderry (unknown to me) for the $5 inspection deal.

It failed and the bill for repairs came to $1200.

I then sent him to my mechanic who I have been using for 12 years. I did not know that he did not tell him that he had failed at VIP.

When we went in to pick up the truck. He asked me who the hell did the inspection on it that failed him for all those items. That information is input into the state database. When I told him, he just shook his head in disbelief. We both had a good laugh over it since the truck passed inspection without issue.

Never again.

wifi · 06-19-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB_Monterey

...... That information is input into the state database.....

EEEwwwww... thanks for that info

fatlazyless · 06-19-2011, 08:37 PM

When told that your car needs 1200-dollars of repairs to pass inspection, you can say that you want to get a second opinion from another inspection station, pay the five dollar inspection fee, and leave with your sticker intact. You are not obligated to go with their recommendations.

You can say basically whatever enters your minds such as I do not have the money right now, I simply do not believe your recommendations, I want another opinion, I want to get out of here etc etc etc and leave with the sticker intact.

By agreeing to pay for a five dollar inspection, you have agreed to pay five dollars, period, and not whatever larger amount that may be recommended. It then becomes decision time for you; do you go with their repair recommendation, or do you leave, basically lose the five dollars, and go to another inspection station.

By agreeing to enter into the five dollar inspection, you are agreeing to an inspection, and not to whatever repairs which may be recommended. That is a second decision and you definitely have the choice to just say "NO THANKS BUDDY" at that time!

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-19-2011, 09:22 PM

Lets be careful. I use the VIP in Milford NH and have had very good experiences. They treat me very fairly and work hard to reduce the cost of things that are wrong and tell me when things don't need to be done to pass inspection or could wait for a while. It is possible that it may be a particular VIP location and not the entire network. My trucks are 11 years old and I have had plenty of inspections at VIP that had less than $50 in stuff fixed.

Just saying it might be location by location issue and not a company culture.

06-16-2011, 08:14 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,411 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	NH State Car Inspection needed? Have to get my car's annual NH State Car Inspection performed. Fairly new to lakes region, and don't know a lot of repair shop places Last inspection performed at McGreevy's in Blemont, but they went out of business recently. Too bad, they were very good ! Also steering away from certain dealerships, known for the unreputable practices. What is the typical cost for the NH State inspection, My car is a 2005, and was just quoted by a shop for $48, includes the engine test. Cost seems rather high ! Any suggestions for reapair shops around Laconia, Gilford or Belmont area, who perform this state inspetion would be appreciated. Thanks, BD

06-16-2011, 02:22 PM	#6
Bubs Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Belmont Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Important: A lot of the cheaper places will get that extra money back by failing your car for things that other places would not. It's an unfortunate practice that takes place all over the area. It's essentially a bait-and-switch tactic, enticing customers in with extraordinarily low inspection prices, and then failing the inspection for a "lot of problems" and charging for hundreds of dollars in work. For example, and I am not going to give names because this was a few years ago, my mother decided to go to a place that was charging $5 for inspections. They wound up failing the car for a variety of odd reasons, which she then had checked out at a more reputable shop that found that none of those issues existed. Sometimes cheap does not directly equal better, and sadly the automotive business can be a shady place sometimes. If you have work that you need done on your car that you are not comfortable doing yourself, you are better off to find a small, local shop that you can trust. __________________ Ask me about SCCA Rallycross! www.perkinsrally.tumblr.com Like "Perkins Rally" on Facebook!

06-16-2011, 02:53 PM	#7
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,411 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	NH State Car Inspection needed? Jiust contacted a Midas shop in lakes region, they all do for $25,statewide, and includes 'emissions' testing. Thanks for the tip SIKSUKR ! BD

06-16-2011, 03:03 PM	#8
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 409 Times in 251 Posts	Gawd Theres so many around where do we start.....

06-16-2011, 05:19 PM	#9
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Midas Midas 1022 Union Avenue Laconia, NH 03246 603-524-2240

06-16-2011, 08:24 AM	#2
Little Bear Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 561 Thanks: 105 Thanked 237 Times in 126 Posts	I use Prestige Automotive on Gilford East Drive in Gilford for all my vehicles. 528-6830.

06-16-2011, 01:16 PM	#3
budman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	$48 is the cost of the inspection. It's the same anywhere you go.

06-16-2011, 02:13 PM	#5
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	Although all drivers in New Hampshire have to have their cars inspected, not all drivers pay the same price. Different garages are allowed to charge different prices for inspections, so it may pay to shop around. Some garages charge as much as $50 for the inspection, while others are as low as $20. Under state law, the inspection is the same everywhere and includes a mandatory yearly emissions test for most cars (depending on the year built). The only state rule about the cost is that garages must post the price per Saf-C 3208.03 Inspection Fee Sign (see below). Saf-C 3208.03 Inspection Fee Sign. (a) Each official inspection station shall conspicuously post a sign showing the inspection fee charged, on the outside of the building. (b) Each sign shall be no less than 12 inches in height by 18 inches in length, bearing the words: VEHICLE INSPECTION FEE $________ (c) Each letter and number shall be no less than 8 inches in height with a 3/4 inch brush stroke. (d) Each inspection station shall enter the appropriate fee in the space provided. (e) More than one sign may be posted. (f) If the inspection fee includes a separate fee for an OBD-II inspection, the inspection station shall break down the two fees on one sign, pursuant to RSA 266:1, VII. This sign shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in (c) above.

06-16-2011, 07:10 PM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	http://www.vipauto.com/-images-coupo...spection-8.pdf this link isn't working but VIP Auto has five dollar NH & Maine inspections through June 30. Go to www.vipauto.com and clink on Special Offers down at the bottom. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

06-16-2011, 09:38 PM	#11
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	VIP? Two words: Never again. http://www.wmur.com/news/21442178/detail.html Oh, and I can tell you first hand that the "cheap inspection = laundry list of reasons why your car failed inspection" is definitely part of their modus operandi. DON'T.

06-17-2011, 06:13 AM	#12
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	I've had a couple different cars inspected at the Laconia VIP over the last few years and it was straight forward, no big deal, and the car got the sticker, and it all seemed above board the way it is supposed to be. That WMUR link is from October 2009 and for a Concord NH VIP, and VIP has a large number of different locations. With the sticker, it only costs five dollars to give it a go, so you can always just say no to any repair suggestions, and say thanks but no thanks, and go somewhere else. With a stop-loss of five dollars, five dollars is 35-dollars less than the standard 40-dollar fee. Probably, VIP got caught making phoney inspection recommendations back in 2009 in Concord, and now the entire chain of VIP's perform their state inspections with the same good intentions as a priest in peril! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 06-17-2011 at 06:45 AM.

06-17-2011, 09:22 AM	#13
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	I got a nifty new motor from VIP thanks to one of their bargain oil changes. Have at it!

06-17-2011, 03:56 PM	#16
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	They installed the wrong filter on the car. It blew off on RT93 at 70mph. Engine was toast before I got to the breakdown lane. I can get an oil change at the dealer, Foss in Exeter, for $24.95.

06-17-2011, 06:45 PM	#17
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	Sydow's Auto Service Center 110 NH Route 106 Gilmanton, NH 03237-4922 (603) 267-1100 Jeff is a honest hard working guy and he'll take good care of you.

06-17-2011, 07:30 PM	#18
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	Here is a multiple choice question for everyone: How do automobile repair businesses make their money? A. Annual Inspections. B. Repairs and parts. I’ll say no more.

06-18-2011, 03:12 PM	#19
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	I was at a body shop/collision center where I had work done on my car. Over the years I get inspection there. $45.00. My truck is new so no issues. One time I was there one of this body shops competitors came for a visit. Out of his mouth were the words something like this: I never let a customer leave my shop when inspection is done unless I can geet at least $250.00 of work. Of course not newer cars. Older cars/trucks. Maybe the fellow was joking. I don't know. Again, maybe he was just joking around. All should seek out local independent mechanic. Ask around. Ask your neighbors. As people at your place of worship. There should be nothing wrong with any franchise shop. But sadly a few are just plain unscrupulous. They have a franchise fee that must be paid every month or year. Some really try to be honest. But a few just wish to replace parts. As many parts as they can get away with.

The Following User Says Thank You to songkrai For This Useful Post:
AB_Monterey (06-18-2011)

06-18-2011, 08:07 PM	#20
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	Last Feb, my son took his Jimmy to the VIP in Londonderry (unknown to me) for the $5 inspection deal. It failed and the bill for repairs came to $1200. I then sent him to my mechanic who I have been using for 12 years. I did not know that he did not tell him that he had failed at VIP. When we went in to pick up the truck. He asked me who the hell did the inspection on it that failed him for all those items. That information is input into the state database. When I told him, he just shook his head in disbelief. We both had a good laugh over it since the truck passed inspection without issue. Never again.

06-19-2011, 08:37 PM	#22
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	When told that your car needs 1200-dollars of repairs to pass inspection, you can say that you want to get a second opinion from another inspection station, pay the five dollar inspection fee, and leave with your sticker intact. You are not obligated to go with their recommendations. You can say basically whatever enters your minds such as I do not have the money right now, I simply do not believe your recommendations, I want another opinion, I want to get out of here etc etc etc and leave with the sticker intact. By agreeing to pay for a five dollar inspection, you have agreed to pay five dollars, period, and not whatever larger amount that may be recommended. It then becomes decision time for you; do you go with their repair recommendation, or do you leave, basically lose the five dollars, and go to another inspection station. By agreeing to enter into the five dollar inspection, you are agreeing to an inspection, and not to whatever repairs which may be recommended. That is a second decision and you definitely have the choice to just say "NO THANKS BUDDY" at that time! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

06-19-2011, 09:22 PM	#23
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Lets be careful. I use the VIP in Milford NH and have had very good experiences. They treat me very fairly and work hard to reduce the cost of things that are wrong and tell me when things don't need to be done to pass inspection or could wait for a while. It is possible that it may be a particular VIP location and not the entire network. My trucks are 11 years old and I have had plenty of inspections at VIP that had less than $50 in stuff fixed. Just saying it might be location by location issue and not a company culture.