So I took my Jeep from Kansas to Missouri and have been to 3 different shops all with different repair lists to get my jeep to pass. I replaced all the ball joints and inner axle u joints, and they seem to always find something that needs a costly fix! is it just a windfall for shops to make money because they know you need one? anyone know a real trustworthy shop in the Lees Summit area?

 

Try the regional forum for some tips, more likely to get eyeballs that know a good shop there.

 

^This.


Also check your state's DOT website they will probably have the state inspection manual on there (usually in PDF) which will tell you the real requirements so some shop can't BS you (granted there are sometimes a few things in the manual that are a little vague and open to the interpretation of the shop).


It is also usually a good idea to avoid the "chain" shops (Pep Boys, NTB, Firestone, Tires Plus, etc.), they are usually more likely to nit-pick to find things wrong so they can make money than a good independent shop.

 

Yep. Things vary here: As far as windshields go, some shops will certify your vehicle as long as there are no cracks on the driver's side; others will make you replace anything with medium sand-blasting. Part of it has to do with BS to rake in dough, I think other mechanics feel the minimum requirements aren't good enough. Which TBH some of them aren't lol