Hi,
Can anybody recommend an honest inspection station for pink slip (preferably <15km from Sydney CBD)?
Don't know anything about cars, so your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Sydney Pink Slip Inspection Station / Mechanic Recommendation Request
FowlParliament on 23/08/2016 - 00:35
Last edited 23/08/2016 - 10:27
Last edited 23/08/2016 - 10:27
Comments
I only recently got the car, have not had it serviced yet and hadn't had one for years prior to that (or a regular mechanic).
I just want someone who'll not unnecessarily claim this or that isn't working properly in order to rip me off when inspecting my car for a pink slip - that's all.
Most places don't spend a lot of time inspecting for a pink slip. It isn't worth their time. It does also depend on the age/kms of the vehicle. The mechanic I take mine to has it half done by the time I've walked out the driveway despite having half a day to do it.
If your car is relatively new, drives OK, all the seatbelts, lights, wipers etc work and the tyres are good then they are unlikely look hard enough to find something. It does still pay to stick your head under the car to check for oil leaks and damage though before you take it in.
The pink slip itself may not be worth their time, but claiming that random things aren't as they should be might well be, and I'll have little or no way of telling if they're full of crap. I have never even inspected wiper blades before (apart from removing random debris!) so will have to youtube even something as simple as that.
Have read quite a few horror stories online about some places, so I'd prefer to go to a recommended one if possible.
Checking lights should be easy, except the brake lights might need a friend to operate the pedal or look at the lights, I use a rod to prop the brake lights on, or check while I'm parked near a big window when I've got a reflection. Make sure you check your number plate light, it is often overlooked.
As for the wipers they just need to clear the windscreen effectively. Use your washers to get some water on the windscreen and see if it is wiped off properly.
Check your seatbelts retract and connect properly.
Check your tyres for wear and make sure there is enough tread on them. Check the hand brake holds the car and doesn't let it roll away.
Check your brakes by braking from about 40km/h to a stop with no hands on the wheel and see if there is any shuddering or pulling to either side, you should pull up nice and straight.
Check under the bonnet for excess oil around and under the engine.That should cover your pink slip inspection. Just because they find something wrong, doesn't mean that they have to fix it. You can take it to another mechanic for the work if you don't trust them, however the onriginal mechanic will have to clear your pink slip.
Thanks. The original mechanic only has to clear the pink slip if I want it reinspected for free within 14 days, but an alternative is to have it inspected elsewhere and pay the fee again, though of course I wouldn't do that unless the first one seemed untrustworthy.
Finally, an actual recommendation!
You need new wipers…
yep, and chances are your brakes need machining ;)
I recently had my car serviced by the dealer; can confirm they said this (although I did need new wipers)
Where do you get the car serviced? Is there a reason that mechanic is unsuitable for the pink slip?
In general, I think it is good to develop a regular relationship with a mechanic, so they know you maintain the car so when it comes to pink slip they are confident to let it pass.
Finding a good mechanic is hard. Different people value different things. I have a friend who is happy to pay what I consider very high prices, because the mechanic takes pictures of the work before and after showing precisely what was done.
My best mechanic (who sadly has moved away) was a young bloke who had just set himself up who was happy to discuss ways we could keep costs down, and would give me a "pre-inspection" off the books at rego time so I could attend to anything before it was officially listed on the slip.