Local NJ DMV State Inspection

Hi,


Please recommend a local gas station/garage for getting your car inspected.  Thanks.


Regards,

RCH


I learned last year that certain DMVs inspect your car for free.  Went to the DMV in Newark for both cars and the process took all of 15-20 minutes!  Middle of the week, middle of the month worked best for me.


Absolutely, bklyngirl! I just did that yesterday. Took about 20 minutes. Free.


Agree on going to a free public place, but some folks want to drop their car off and hop on a train for work, then pick up. If that's the case, Nelson's near the Maplewood station does them, also Quality on Valley in S.O. There should be a full list somewhere on the state MVC site.


If you don't want to drive to Newark, A & J Automotive, Springfield Ave., Vauxhall - $50 for two years. Nice people. 


Newark MVC FTW!

They have a camera so you can see how crowded it is. I honestly have never seen it that crowded - it's nothing like going to get a driver's license renewed, that's for sure.


rch2330 said:
Hi,

Please recommend a local gas station/garage for getting your car inspected.  Thanks.


Regards,
RCH

Go to one of the DMV locations instead.  It's FREE.


What "bklyngirl" said.


Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 


all actual MVC office do it for free (the ones that do inspections).  it is only for the 1st inspection. if you fail  you have to pay a private garage.

as long as your check engine light isn't on, you have a good chance of passing (make sure you have driven at least 100 miles since you last had your care serviced).


I used to always go to a private garage, but have used the MVC for the last 8 years.  Never had more than 2 cars in front of me at Rahway.


you can look online and see if there are cars waiting (but of course that can change by the time you get there).  The camera angle isn't good for rahway, you can't see the line if there are more than a few cars so there is no way to tell how long- or short- it is.

I haven't found a mechanic I am happy with.  One told me my car would be ready in 2 days...2 days later they closed up and went home and hadn't even started on my are or let me know (it wasn't drivable).  The next I went to for front brakes and asked them to check the rear.  They couldn't tell me if they checked the rear, when I asked the guy just grunted.  I used a dealer who told me I needed TWO O2 sensors...that sounded odd, but the price was right for TWO.   When it was done, the service advisor came back and said he misread it and it was only 1 O2 sensor, but it was still the same price....I didn't agree to that price for ONE....and many other stories of nonsense.


jmitw said:
all actual MVC office do it for free (the ones that do inspections).  it is only for the 1st inspection. if you fail  you have to pay a private garage.
as long as your check engine light isn't on, you have a good chance of passing (make sure you have driven at least 100 miles since you last had your care serviced).


I used to always go to a private garage, but have used the MVC for the last 8 years.  Never had more than 2 cars in front of me at Rahway.


you can look online and see if there are cars waiting (but of course that can change by the time you get there).  The camera angle isn't good for rahway, you can't see the line if there are more than a few cars so there is no way to tell how long- or short- it is.
I haven't found a mechanic I am happy with.  One told me my car would be ready in 2 days...2 days later they closed up and went home and hadn't even started on my are or let me know (it wasn't drivable).  The next I went to for front brakes and asked them to check the rear.  They couldn't tell me if they checked the rear, when I asked the guy just grunted.  I used a dealer who told me I needed TWO O2 sensors...that sounded odd, but the price was right for TWO.   When it was done, the service advisor came back and said he misread it and it was only 1 O2 sensor, but it was still the same price....I didn't agree to that price for ONE....and many other stories of nonsense.

 You don't have to pay a private garage if you fail inspection.  You do have to repair whatever is broken and if you fail for emissions you do have to go to a certified emissions repair facility for the repair.  But you do not have to pay for a private inspection.  More info in the link.

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/inspection/failedinsp.htm

"If your vehicle fails inspection, you have up to one month from the last day of the month indicated on the inspection sticker to make repairs and return for re-inspection at a state inspection facility or state-licensed private inspection facility (N.J.A.C. 13:20-7.5)."


Newark MVC is usually pretty quick.  It is free as are all MVC inspection sites.  I believe they still only inspect the emissions, as opposed to the old days when everything safety related was inspected.


It only takes about 15 minutes to get there.  Take 22 to the Newark exit and it is about 4 - 5 blocks down on Frelinghuysen Ave.


yahooyahoo said:


jmitw said:
all actual MVC office do it for free (the ones that do inspections).  it is only for the 1st inspection. if you fail  you have to pay a private garage.
as long as your check engine light isn't on, you have a good chance of passing (make sure you have driven at least 100 miles since you last had your care serviced).


I used to always go to a private garage, but have used the MVC for the last 8 years.  Never had more than 2 cars in front of me at Rahway.


you can look online and see if there are cars waiting (but of course that can change by the time you get there).  The camera angle isn't good for rahway, you can't see the line if there are more than a few cars so there is no way to tell how long- or short- it is.
I haven't found a mechanic I am happy with.  One told me my car would be ready in 2 days...2 days later they closed up and went home and hadn't even started on my are or let me know (it wasn't drivable).  The next I went to for front brakes and asked them to check the rear.  They couldn't tell me if they checked the rear, when I asked the guy just grunted.  I used a dealer who told me I needed TWO O2 sensors...that sounded odd, but the price was right for TWO.   When it was done, the service advisor came back and said he misread it and it was only 1 O2 sensor, but it was still the same price....I didn't agree to that price for ONE....and many other stories of nonsense.
 You don't have to pay a private garage if you fail inspection.  You do have to repair whatever is broken and if you fail for emissions you do have to go to a certified emissions repair facility for the repair.  But you do not have to pay for a private inspection.  More info in the link.
https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/inspection/failedinsp.htm

"If your vehicle fails inspection, you have up to one month from the last day of the month indicated on the inspection sticker to make repairs and return for re-inspection at a state inspection facility or state-licensed private inspection facility (N.J.A.C. 13:20-7.5)."

 I guess they changed it again, that sure didn't last long, requiring drivers to go to a private garage was instituted just before my last inspection.  I was guessing it was just to throw business their way since they have to pay a lot for the equipment...guess it didn't work out and they reverted back to allowing MVC to re inspect


Rahway is the best. A few years ago my son's car was stolen and later found missing it's catalytic converter. I repaired it with a straight pipe set up until he could get it repaired correctly. He took it to Rahway because the sticker expired in the midst of this and I told him a failed inspection is better than an expired one. He came home with a passed sticker...


Another vote for Newark!  


https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/04/one_strike_and_youre_out_at_state_inspection_stati.html

here is an article from 2.5 years ago that said you had to go to a private garage for re inspection.  I was so stressed last time because I didn't want to have to spend $50 if I failed


Sunoco on prospect St in West Orange does inspections. Nice guy. 


ElizMcCord said:
Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 

The riots were 50 years ago.  

There is no risk in going to the DMV on Frelinghuysen Ave in broad daylight.


ElizMcCord said:
Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 

Are you serious?  A "no go zone."  Way to perpetuate a stereotype.


yahooyahoo said:


ElizMcCord said:
Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 
Are you serious?  A "no go zone."  Way to perpetuate a stereotype.

Incidentally I meant it as it’s a very busy area been there a few times but didn’t wanna get into it after the previous comment. But ok. Let’s assume the worst and go with that. 


to be fair, there are very dangerous areas of newark, and if you don't know the city, it is understandable to be concerned.  when I worked in newark, i would have to go into neighborhoods with memorials to shooting victims..and yeah, I had concerns of being caught in the cross fire.  once I turned a corner and had to stop for police activity...dozens of cops in riot gear.


And I lived in the South Ward for 10 years with no problems, so there is that.


ElizMcCord said:


yahooyahoo said:

ElizMcCord said:
Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 
Are you serious?  A "no go zone."  Way to perpetuate a stereotype.
Incidentally I meant it as it’s a very busy area been there a few times but didn’t wanna get into it after the previous comment. But ok. Let’s assume the worst and go with that. 

Then you could just write "it's too busy."


yahooyahoo said:


ElizMcCord said:

yahooyahoo said:

ElizMcCord said:
Try the Wayne location on a random Tuesday mid month. 20 min max. Newark is a no go zone. 
Are you serious?  A "no go zone."  Way to perpetuate a stereotype.
Incidentally I meant it as it’s a very busy area been there a few times but didn’t wanna get into it after the previous comment. But ok. Let’s assume the worst and go with that. 
Then you could just write "it's too busy."

Or you could’ve choosen not jump to awful conclusions based off one short sentence and asked me what I meant. After tomcat’s comment I just wanted to leave it alone, not defend my ESOL English.  Apparently ‘No Go zone’ means more than ‘I wouldn’t go there if I want to just get in and out’ and now I know, thank you. 


All Star Motors on Valley Street in South Orange two blocks from train station.



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