Why I Hate State Inspection
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 28
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LMAO So you guys are subject to the great pigeon english call centres too? Wow, half of India must work in call centres.
What is this state inspection then - similar to our MOT (Ministry of Transport) tests?
This is what we are anually subjected to (in a nutshell) -
BRAKES
• Brake back plates and calliper securing
What is this state inspection then - similar to our MOT (Ministry of Transport) tests?
This is what we are anually subjected to (in a nutshell) -
BRAKES
Inside the car
Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) Warning lamp is checked for:
• Function.
• Sequence of operation. Footbrake
• Reserve travel on the footbrake so that it does not go down to the floor
• Pedal rubber not worn to excess
• Correct operation of the servo assistance system.
Reserve brake
This could be a handbrake or a footbrake.
Checked for reserve travel so that it does not reach the stops on application.
The mountings will be checked for security and /or corrosion.
Under bonnet checks
• Master cylinder and servo unit are checked for fluid leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied.
• Servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly.
• Visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, breakages or leaks.
More... | Top of Page
Under Vehicle checks
With an assistant applying load to the
footbrake:
• Flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
• Disks and drums checked for condition and contamination
Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) Warning lamp is checked for:
• Function.
• Sequence of operation. Footbrake
• Reserve travel on the footbrake so that it does not go down to the floor
• Pedal rubber not worn to excess
• Correct operation of the servo assistance system.
Reserve brake
This could be a handbrake or a footbrake.
Checked for reserve travel so that it does not reach the stops on application.
The mountings will be checked for security and /or corrosion.
Under bonnet checks
• Master cylinder and servo unit are checked for fluid leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied.
• Servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly.
• Visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, breakages or leaks.
More... | Top of Page
Under Vehicle checks
With an assistant applying load to the
footbrake:
• Flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
• Disks and drums checked for condition and contamination
• Brake back plates and calliper securing
devices are checked for condition and security
• Condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible
• An assistant operates the handbrake while the condition of the linkages and/or
• An assistant operates the handbrake while the condition of the linkages and/or
cables is checked.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>DOORS
Both front doors must be capable of being opened from the inside and outside and all doors must latch securely.
Tailgates, bootlids etc.
All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be capable of being secured in the closed position.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>EMISSIONS
<HR color=#791513>FUEL SYSTEM
Any fuel leak will result in a fail. Checked under the bonnet and throughout the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine.
• The fuel filler cap must fasten securely
• The seal in the cap must not be torn, deteriorated or missing
• No other defect should be present which could cause fuel to leak out.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>HORN
<HR color=#791513>LIGHTS
<HR color=#791513>MIRRORS
<HR color=#791513>REGISTRATION PLATES AND VIN* (Vehicle Identification Number)
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SEAT BELTS
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SEATS
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>STEERING
• On some vehicles there will be a brake compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected for fluid leaks
Brake performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes will be checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.
Brake performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes will be checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>DOORS
Both front doors must be capable of being opened from the inside and outside and all doors must latch securely.
Tailgates, bootlids etc.
All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be capable of being secured in the closed position.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>EMISSIONS
These are checked using specialised equipment, the details of the check depending on the year that the vehicle was first used on the road. Excessive smoking is a reason for failure. Diesel emissions are checked by using a smoke meter.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION<HR color=#791513>FUEL SYSTEM
Any fuel leak will result in a fail. Checked under the bonnet and throughout the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine.
• The fuel filler cap must fasten securely
• The seal in the cap must not be torn, deteriorated or missing
• No other defect should be present which could cause fuel to leak out.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>HORN
• Operation.
• Control should be easily reached by the driver.
• Volume must be sufficiently audible to pedestrians and other vehicles.
• The tone should not consist of a sequential multi-tone.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION • Control should be easily reached by the driver.
• Volume must be sufficiently audible to pedestrians and other vehicles.
• The tone should not consist of a sequential multi-tone.
<HR color=#791513>LIGHTS
All required lights are checked for:
• Operation.
• Condition.
• Security.
Side lights and headlamps:
• Acceptable make/model.
• Dip and aim must be within specified perameters Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*
• Acceptable make/model
• Lights,indicators and hazard lights must not interfere with each other whilst in operation.
• Indicators, stop lights and hazard warning lights function. Rear fog lamps**
• Must be fitted to the centre or offside of the vehicle.
• Tell-tale must work.
• Must not be affected by other lamps and not be obscured.
• Must be red.
More.. | Top of Page
Number plate lamps
All original lamps must be fitted and working.
Rear reflectors
There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.
* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.
** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION• Operation.
• Condition.
• Security.
Side lights and headlamps:
• Acceptable make/model.
• Dip and aim must be within specified perameters Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*
• Acceptable make/model
• Lights,indicators and hazard lights must not interfere with each other whilst in operation.
• Indicators, stop lights and hazard warning lights function. Rear fog lamps**
• Must be fitted to the centre or offside of the vehicle.
• Tell-tale must work.
• Must not be affected by other lamps and not be obscured.
• Must be red.
More.. | Top of Page
Number plate lamps
All original lamps must be fitted and working.
Rear reflectors
There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.
* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.
** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.
<HR color=#791513>MIRRORS
Not all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be:
• Secure
• Secure
• Visible from the drivers seat
• Not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the drivers view to the rear.
• Not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the drivers view to the rear.
<HR color=#791513>REGISTRATION PLATES AND VIN* (Vehicle Identification Number)
For registered vehicles the plate must be:
• Present
• Secure
• Not faded, dirty or obscured
• Be composed with correctly formed letters and spacing
• Present
• Secure
• Not faded, dirty or obscured
• Be composed with correctly formed letters and spacing
The VIN number must be
• Permanently displayed
• Consistent · Legible.
* Required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980.
• Permanently displayed
• Consistent · Legible.
* Required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SEAT BELTS
Most vehicles after 1965 must have seat belts, irrespective of that requirement, all seat belts fitted to any vehicle must be inspected for:
• Security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks
• Security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks
• Security and operation of the locking/release mechanism
• Condition of webbing
• Retraction of the belt (it is permissable to manually feed it in).
• Condition of webbing
• Retraction of the belt (it is permissable to manually feed it in).
Notes:
1 For technical reasons the inertia locking mechanism is not checked.
2 On some vehicles the belt is attached to the seat, in which case the security of the seat to the vehicle would also constitute part of the seat belt check.
2 On some vehicles the belt is attached to the seat, in which case the security of the seat to the vehicle would also constitute part of the seat belt check.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SEATS
• The driver's and the front passenger's seats must be secure
• All seat backs must be securable in the upright position.
• All seat backs must be securable in the upright position.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>STEERING
Inside the car checks
• Steering wheel and steering column:
• Steering wheel condition
• The steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft
• The upper bearings of the steering
• Steering wheel and steering column:
• Steering wheel condition
• The steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft
• The upper bearings of the steering
column are inspected for wear
Under vehicle checks
• All the steering joints.
• Power steering systems.
• Security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to tightness of the nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached.
• Also, split pins/locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices relate to steering components. Some cars have an element of rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car. The front suspension is checked, but also the rear for:
• Excessive wear to Wheel bearings.
• Condition of front drive shafts/CV joints.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SUSPENSION
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>TYRES/WHEELS
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>VEHICLE STRUCTURE
• The steering shaft is checked for excessive end float
• Clamping bolts security
• The split pins and locking nuts
• The 'free play' in the steering
• Flexible couplings and universal joints.
• Clamping bolts security
• The split pins and locking nuts
• The 'free play' in the steering
• Flexible couplings and universal joints.
Under the bonnet checks
Vary according to the vehicle;
Some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models. However in all cases checks
will be made for:
• The security of the steering rack or steering box and its mountings
• Any discernible play in the steering joints
• Swivel joints which form part of the steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet will obviously be inspected.
Vary according to the vehicle;
Some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models. However in all cases checks
will be made for:
• The security of the steering rack or steering box and its mountings
• Any discernible play in the steering joints
• Swivel joints which form part of the steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet will obviously be inspected.
More.. | Top of Page
• Whilst the vehicle stands on special Swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked to ensure that wheels and tyres do not foul of either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses.
• Whilst the vehicle stands on special Swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked to ensure that wheels and tyres do not foul of either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses.
• Wheel bearings are checked.
• Steering rack gaiters/front outer constant velocity joint boots are examined.
• Metal and rubber bushes are checked as
• Steering rack gaiters/front outer constant velocity joint boots are examined.
• Metal and rubber bushes are checked as
Under vehicle checks
• All the steering joints.
• Power steering systems.
• Security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to tightness of the nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached.
• Also, split pins/locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices relate to steering components. Some cars have an element of rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car. The front suspension is checked, but also the rear for:
• Excessive wear to Wheel bearings.
• Condition of front drive shafts/CV joints.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>SUSPENSION
Under bonnet checks
• Upper suspension joints
• Any other suspension components which
can be inspected from beneath the bonnet
Under vehicle checks
Both the front and rear suspension are checked to ensure.
• No split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or bent
• Road springs function effectively, no excessive wear
• Suspension joints function effectively, no excessive wear
• Shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be 'bounced' by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).
Suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.
• Upper suspension joints
• Any other suspension components which
can be inspected from beneath the bonnet
Under vehicle checks
Both the front and rear suspension are checked to ensure.
• No split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or bent
• Road springs function effectively, no excessive wear
• Suspension joints function effectively, no excessive wear
• Shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be 'bounced' by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).
Suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>TYRES/WHEELS
Tyre condition
A failure with respect to tyre wear will result where:-
The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising:
• Central 3/4 of the breadth of tread
• Entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Tyres must be correctly matched with regard to:
• Type
• Size
• Structure
• Location on the vehicle with respect to the axles.
Also examined:
• General condition of tyre
• Condition of valve
Tyres fail if they have serious cuts, bulges or other damage. The wear on the tyre is checked with a tyre tread depth gauge to ensure compliance. The tyres are examined to ensure that there is no fouling with any part of the vehicle.
More.. | Top of Page
Note:
The condition of the spare tyre is not part of the MOT.
Wheel condition
Inspection to reveal:
• Damage
• Distortion
• Cracks
• Distorted bead rims
• How securely attached to the vehicle
• No wheel-nuts or studs missing
An externally fitted spare wheel or spare wheel carrier must not be so insecure that it is likely to fall off.
A failure with respect to tyre wear will result where:-
The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising:
• Central 3/4 of the breadth of tread
• Entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Tyres must be correctly matched with regard to:
• Type
• Size
• Structure
• Location on the vehicle with respect to the axles.
Also examined:
• General condition of tyre
• Condition of valve
Tyres fail if they have serious cuts, bulges or other damage. The wear on the tyre is checked with a tyre tread depth gauge to ensure compliance. The tyres are examined to ensure that there is no fouling with any part of the vehicle.
More.. | Top of Page
Note:
The condition of the spare tyre is not part of the MOT.
Wheel condition
Inspection to reveal:
• Damage
• Distortion
• Cracks
• Distorted bead rims
• How securely attached to the vehicle
• No wheel-nuts or studs missing
An externally fitted spare wheel or spare wheel carrier must not be so insecure that it is likely to fall off.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>VEHICLE STRUCTURE
Body condition and security
• The vehicle body must not insecure or displaced so as to constitute a risk of loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or a danger to other road users.
• There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by corrosion
• The vehicle body must not insecure or displaced so as to constitute a risk of loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or a danger to other road users.
• There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by corrosion
or damage
<HR color=#791513>
Corrosion
A vehicle can fail with respect to corrosion for:
• Excessive corrosion in a 'prescribed area' - within 30 cms of certain components, e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings etc.
• Excessive corrosion in a 'prescribed area', but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle's brakes or steering.
Note
'Excessive corrosion' can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
A vehicle can fail with respect to corrosion for:
• Excessive corrosion in a 'prescribed area' - within 30 cms of certain components, e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings etc.
• Excessive corrosion in a 'prescribed area', but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle's brakes or steering.
Note
'Excessive corrosion' can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.
Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION
<HR color=#791513>
WINDSCREEN
The inspection has to ascertain all items affecting the driver's view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.
Here's a link to save some space:
Virginia State Police
You can go a little further into it:
LIS > Administrative Code
Scroll to Chapter 70 - Sections 1 through 680 (increments of 10)
My favorites are defroster and door handles.
Dune buggies must have a defroster.
If you have a door, it must have a inside operating latch (doesn't say you must have a door).
I took the doors off of my subaru wagon a few years ago. I alos carried acopy of the code with me which came in handy the 19 times I was pulled over.
If I ever figure out how to post pics, or even create a gallery I'll share.
I obtained a VA State Inspection License while working at alocal garage. Some times I venture away from my regular guy to have some fun arguing with a guy who's trying to screw me. They try, anything for a dollar. Ludacris.
The dedicated bay aforementioned is right on. We have a full time mechanic at my current Gov't job and if my boss were to learn that I have this license he would insist we do our own inspectons and cheat a little to get by, ya know what I mean. What he doesn't realize is, we would have to let the general public in our shop on any day "during hours" and perform an inspection. Not to mention the equipment/tools needed.
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oscarxyz
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Apr 30, 2007 08:10 PM
