Shop took one look at it

"GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus" (genuinealexreid)
09/02/2016 at 17:35 • Filed to: Datsun

And failed it.

Kinda. Basically they looked at it, said that it would fail because it had no floor mats, because my horn button wasn’t padded, and because my wheel arches weren’t welded on.

There is good news though! Because they didn’t actually perform the inspection, I saved $150. Also, this shop was a recommendation by some car friends of mine, but there is another shop that my friend takes Datsun Roadsters too, so I took it there, and the mechanic said that everything the other shop said was BS, and that he would have passed it, because the car is actually fully roadworthy.

Unfortunately the second shop couldn’t get me in today, so I’m going in on Tuesday, which kinda means no car for the weekend, but it’s supposed to rain anyway, so what can you do.

Not a victory, but not a fail either.

DISCUSSION (24)

Svend > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 17:40

You shall Triumph from adversity.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Svend
09/02/2016 at 17:42

Thanks! I actually have to give props to the first shop for being straight up (kinda), they don’t want to lose their licence, it was cool of them to not charge me at all.

PowderHound > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 17:45

That sounds ridiculous. Why do you need floor mats? Wheel arches aren't welded on? My entire fender is held together by screws and sheer will. I do actually kind of get the padded horn but still

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > PowderHound
09/02/2016 at 17:54

I thought the padded horn was the dumbest thing, my dad has the same car and this is his horn.

Kinja'd!!!

Steel. It’s the 60s.

PowderHound > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 17:56

True, there isn't an airbag in there... That's where my head was at for some reason

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > PowderHound
09/02/2016 at 18:00

Yeah it’s 50 years old, and they didn’t seem to grasp that. Kept telling me that it “basically has to be a new car”. Which would mean I would NEVER be able to drive it.

PowderHound > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:04

Heathens!

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > PowderHound
09/02/2016 at 18:06

It does drive really well though, it was a good ride to the shop! It’s my new favourite car :)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:07

Cars should be exempt from inspections if over 15 years old.

PowderHound > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:11

I keep seeing them for sale but I'm just not the convertible type... I also think my roommates would hate me for taking over the garage. And I currently have no extra monies :(

shop-teacher > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:15

That’s outrageous! (Read that in James May’s voice)

TA4K > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/02/2016 at 18:19

See, I find that a tad dangerous. The way it is run here in NZ is more or less that the car has to be mechanically sound, not rusting to bits, and had to have all the safety features that it had when new. My Triumph has no rear seatbelts, but I don’t need them because they weren’t there when the car was built in 1970. Just has to be mechanically safe.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > PowderHound
09/02/2016 at 18:20

They’re so much fun to drive, and with the whole world around you, it really feels excellent. All the old proverbs about driving an old convertible are true.

Kinja'd!!!

Noah - Now with more boost. > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:32

That sucks. I failed inspection too haha. Still annoyed....

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Noah - Now with more boost.
09/02/2016 at 18:34

I’m lucky that I technically didn’t fail it, because I didn’t do the inspection. Still feels like a kick in the nuts though, I really wanted to drive it legally this weekend.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:36

Inspections?

WHAAAST ARE THOOOOOSE?!

I live in Fl. Anything is legal on your car; lifts, exhausts, zz454 in a 1973 Chevy Truck, RHD, Grey Market...

You think of a car, it exists in Florida

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 18:40

This is a nice view. :)

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 19:21

“said that it would fail because it had no floor mats, because my horn button wasn’t padded, and because my wheel arches weren’t welded on.”

Since when are floor mats and padding on horn buttons part of a car’s inspection? Did they also tell you the blinker fluid was low?

And the wheel arches weren’t welded on? WTF does that even mean? The arches are separate pieces from the fenders? And how would you get welded wheel arches done on a plastic bodied car like the Corvette?

Nah... don’t think so.

This is the form they’re supposed to use in Alberta:

http://www.finance.alberta.ca/publications/i…

As you can see, horn button padding, floor matts and whether wheel arches are welded are not relevant to the inspection.

It’s clear that the first shop you went to was staffed by idiots and that you have some friends that might be getting hosed by a bad shop at least some of the time.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 19:25

Them saying “basically has to be a new car” is them saying “basically we’re idiots”.

Die-Trying > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 19:32

you have to tell them “i’m here for a “NO LOOK” inspection”, and when they ask you for your keys,. you tell them that they are in it already........ now on the keys, you fold up the $20(or whatever the agreed amount is where you live) until its narrow enough to just tie it around the keys. ............. havent failed an inspection in 15+ years............

just make sure you ask for “someone qualified to do a “no look” inspection”..............

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/02/2016 at 19:47

It was a fun drive until the rain hit! But luckily I got it home before then.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/02/2016 at 19:49

I think they’re just trying to cover their asses, even if it is annoying.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
09/02/2016 at 21:14

Here in MURICA where I live we have no inspections. tis a great thing

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
09/02/2016 at 22:00

Lots of places in the US do though. Luckily this is a 1 time deal, unless I buy another out of province car, which isn’t likely after this!