Dodgy Pink Slip Inspections A Waste of Time

Cheapo333 on 11/08/2024 - 10:22
Last edited 11/08/2024 - 18:43 by 1 other user

I recently took my car for a pink slip inspection at a local Sydney mechanic which is required for rego renewal for cars older than 5 years in NSW.

The mechanic copied down the odometer reading, walked around the car, and went into the workshop office. All up, the inspection lasted less than 30 seconds. He came back out with a brake test report and a printout saying PASS on the e-safety checklist status. This costs $49.

The mechanic did not hoist up the vehicle, check any lights or even open the bonnet. I didn't question the mechanic "Passing" my vehicle and paid - as I don't want unnecessary costly repairs. Another mechanic was sitting on a chair and was looking at his phone the whole time and the place was quiet.

I've gone to a few different mechanics over the years, and it's always usually very quick and seemingly dodgy, but not this quick.

I'm wondering whether my experience is unique or have I just chosen dodgy mechanics wanting to make easy money. The pink slip system seems broken and a waste of time and money.

Do you believe your mechanic inspects your vehicle properly for NSW pink slip inspections?

Poll Options

  • 91
    Yes
  • 24
    No
  • 7
    Maybe
  • 11
    I don't know
Automotive Pink Slip

Comments

  • fantombloo on 11/08/2024 - 10:32
    +16

    This dude sounds particularly lazy.

    I've multiple times used this one dude who would give the car a quick once-over (maybe 5min) but for some reason he'd always flag the front wipers needing changing. Anyway, one day I went to another mechanic because I had a voucher for a free rego check - he flagged an oil drip and a few other things, was gonna cost hundreds - so I went back to the old mechanic and the only thing I needed to change was….

    my front wipers.

    • randomusername2017 on 11/08/2024 - 11:52
      +7

      free rego check funded by imaginary defects…

    • kiitos on 11/08/2024 - 18:25

      But wouldn't you still need to get the first guy to sign off on the car? Didn't think you could shop around for favourable inspections after getting a bad one.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2024 - 09:11

        If you pay the $49 it doesn't matter.

        Although it might flag 'dodgy report note' in the system against the second inspector.

    • HeWhoKnows on 12/08/2024 - 09:17
      -4

      OP didnt mention if it was thier local mechanic

      You would think that most mechanics know their customers and thier cars

      But there is a place for these mechanics for those that want to register thier cars "without any issues or additional costs".

    • antheak on 12/08/2024 - 09:23

      Yep, the wipers are a favourate dodge when your car is in for anything… service, rego. It's quick and easy, and they can charge a motz to install $5 wipers. I used to get the good ones from Costco and expressly forbade them from touching the wipers.

      Place I go to for rego, their favourite dodge became foggy headlights, which they could fix then and there for only $80. I refused, took the car home and did it with the $10 Aldi kit and a power drill. A little bit of value-adding to the rego check. last time it went there for a service and rego check, the lights were just as foggy, no mention whatsoever.

      It's funny, driving in NSW, I see soooo many cars with dodgy headlights, pointing all over the place, one up one down etc. I don't see this in the ACT where they don't have rego checks. Funny.

  • holdenmg on 11/08/2024 - 10:34

    Well, you bought your $49 for peace of mind.
    (I hope you got it).

  • Daniel Plainview on 11/08/2024 - 10:35
    +6

    Your point is valid but in ANY industry this type of stuff happens. Respectfully if you have a concern (which you should as means unsafe cars on the roads as well as to lesser degree something minor on yours might not be seen) - you are best advised to contact RTA/Service NSW as they audit/secret checks on Pink Slip checkers.

    They take this stuff very seriously - so well worth doing as the system is fine, it's just the people doing it are not & there is sadly a market for checkers who do sloppy work - as folks want to get crap cars signed off as 'fine'.

    • gyrex on 12/08/2024 - 09:32
      +3

      This. Report them to the RTA or whatever it's called these days.

      • Daniel Plainview on 12/08/2024 - 14:27

        Cheers mate - hilarious I just noticed my comment to report them to the RTA was negged by someone. I'm befuddled as to the motivation behind this - but I suppose as I said, there is a market for folks with known dodgy vehicles who want them on the roads despite them being 'unroadworthy'.

        Would welcome that person explaining their vote, though that might require a tad of effort & guts. But happy to hear you out. :-)

        • Assburg on 12/08/2024 - 22:35
          +1

          I didn't neg, but yeah.. would you rather someone hold your ability to drive and possibly earn income for ransom over some wiper change or fake oil leak?

          These kind of people the OP encountered are dodgy but they're not actually troubling the OP, coercing them or exploiting them.. just a fee to get something done.

          I presume if OPs car looked like a bomb they might spend a few more minutes looking at it but… op should upload a pic of car. This whole thread is moot if it's a 2018 Toyota Camry in pristine condition.

  • Bignudge on 11/08/2024 - 10:44

    I rather this than the mechanic flagging everything, followed by getting them to fix it up before passing it… and if you don't they'll record a non-pass so it's difficult to go another mechanic.

    6 year old car in perfect condition* "Oh yeah mate…there's some rust on the control arm so that needs replacing, bushings need replacing, slight oil residue on the underside of engine so that'll need engine out and complete reseal; $3500 in parts and labour.

    • magic8ballgag on 12/08/2024 - 08:15
      +7

      I rather this than the mechanic flagging everything

      I'd rather safe cars on our roads.

      • Bignudge on 12/08/2024 - 09:33
        +1

        I mean like "safe" is relative. I reckon a 1 minute check is enough tbh.

        If the car starts up, made it to the workshop, doesn't leave a pool of liquid on the ground, horn works, lights all work, and the tyres still have decent and similar level of tread on them I'm happy with it being on the road.

        Doing the paperwork should take longer than the check itself.

        • Daniel Plainview on 12/08/2024 - 14:28
          -1

          @Bignudge
          You either are a very poor mechanic or if not, then on behalf of everyone here let me be the first to say thank christ you are NOT a mechanic.

      • TightLikeThisx on 12/08/2024 - 20:34
        +2

        2.4% of car accidents are caused solely by a mechanical fault.
        57% of car accidents are caused solely by driver error.

        Perhaps the money could go towards some type of course that improves peoples driving instead of subsidizing lazy business owners.

      • Assburg on 12/08/2024 - 22:36

        You don't need a car engineered to drive at 200kmph for your commute. A car, in 2024, not being up to spec does not make it unsafe for its general use case.

  • pegaxs on 11/08/2024 - 11:13
    +1

    It's a test for roadworthyness, it isnt a substitute for a full mechanical inspection. If your car is about 5 years old and low km's, there isnt much point in doing too many checks. If your car is 12 years old and high kilometres, then that may warrant a more invasive check. I depends a lot on the vehicle age and condition. Someone with a near new 2018 Corolla is going to have a different experience than a bogan bringing in their 2003 Falcon…

    Also, the tester is forced to only charge a set amount. The more time they spend on it, the more they are eating into the profit or it would possibly end up costing them money. $49 covers about 15 mins of labour. You do the basic checks. Lights, any oil leaks, windscreens, obvious dangerous panel damage and a quick look under the vehicle for oil leaks.

    Seems a weird complaint that you are bemoaning a 10 min check than the guy who wants to spend 45 mins and pulls up a list of bullshit things and a quote for $4,000…

    • Euphemistic on 11/08/2024 - 11:49
      +1

      Sure, id rather have them do a cursory rather than thorough check but at the same time if they are cheating the brake test, theyre probably also happy enough to do over the phone reports and that is a bad thing for everyone else on the roads. For $50 they should spend at least 10min on it.

    • Cheapo333 on 11/08/2024 - 13:02
      +1

      I want to reiterate as per my original post that the mechanic spent less than 30 seconds looking at the vehicle.
      There was zero effort in doing a legitimate or genuine inspection. So saying that this is a weird complaint demonstrates that you did comprehend the post and topic I am seeking clarity on.

      I mentioned I accepted the PASS without question. From a financial incentive perspective,I want a PASS and the mechanic wants money for doing as little as possible. So my transaction was genuinely a waste of time and money for me in regards to the purpose and intent of the pink slip system.
      I just wanted to see if this was widespread.
      Does this make sense?

      • apsilon on 11/08/2024 - 16:20
        +2

        You don't see what car it is. If it's something just gone 5 years old then it really doesn't need much of a look over. it's quickly obvious if a car is looked after and hence will pass. On the other hand if it's a 30 year junker that's clearly on it's last legs and you're scratching your head on how it made it to your workshop then it needs a much closer look.

      • ColtNoir on 12/08/2024 - 09:45

        It’s somewhat common in my experience. You either get
        - your experience
        - a mech that finds everything wrong with it, including the wipers you replaced before going there. (keep receipts for your wipers to prove them wrong)
        - the proper check with could easily be done in less than 5-10mins but does require a road test with the brake machine.

        Might be a Sydney thing though.

    • magic8ballgag on 12/08/2024 - 08:17

      It's a test for roadworthyness

      Exactly, so how does one determine if a car is worthy of being on the road if they take the minimal amount of time to inspect it?

      Regardless of how old a car is or how many Ks it's done, every car should receive the same thorough checks.

    • Daniel Plainview on 12/08/2024 - 14:35

      @pegaxs

      Umm who bemoaned a 10min check? OP said it was under 30sec actually on the car - concede the paper work takes 5mins or so, but based on info at hand sounds like short of it being on fire it was getting a pass, which is not acceptable.

      Now I think you make excellent and valid points that are pragmatic - but being a Rego Check provider is 100% VOLUNTARY - so if they don't want to do it properly, then just stick with charging pensioners $350 for an oil change.

      Stating a provider would spend 45mins on a rego check then quote $4,000 for bringing up to spec is a tad extreme, no?

      Otherwise as stated your points are pretty good - but I think the OP has a legit gripe - as such proper course of action is to take to RTA/Service NSW and they will action as they see fit. Nobody wants mechanics doing stuff at a loss, but even more we don't want unroadworthy vehicles on the roads.

  • Jaduqimon on 11/08/2024 - 11:39
    +20

    which mechanic is this? I need to a no fuss pink slip pass on one of my cars

    • adn on 13/08/2024 - 09:48

      Agree, hook us up.

      I wonder if they do blueslip as well?

    • zzzyt on 25/11/2024 - 19:55

      Did you find a mechanic like this? I need it as well, Thanks~

  • Euphemistic on 11/08/2024 - 11:44
    -2

    Report them for not completing the inspection properly. If they do this everything they are allowing unsafe cars on the roads - even though maybe they only do this quick check on cars that aren't in apparently OK condition.

  • randomusername2017 on 11/08/2024 - 11:50
    +4

    walked around the car…..came back out with a brake test report

    Didn't think this was possible any more 🤔

    Name the mechanic…they'll have a queue around the block.

  • Save Medicare on 11/08/2024 - 11:52

    I think some of them shake the brake testing device to get a deceleration figure for the brake test

    I've certainly had my car "brake tested' in this way.
    Not something I asked for, I actually wanted to make sure my car was safe, so I went somewhere else the following year

  • djones145 on 11/08/2024 - 12:46
    +7

    any professional mechanic can tell if the car is roadworthy by
    the sound of the engine
    the smell of the exhaust
    the taste of the oil
    the feel of the 50 dollar bill

  • GordonD on 11/08/2024 - 13:26
    +1

    There's lazy buggers in every occupation.

    I was referred to a specialist by my GP. The specialist gossiped with me for 20 minutes about a previous condition I'd had that was related to his area of specialty. With no examination, no questions asked about the condition I was there about, and no tests done, he then declared I didn't have it, showed me the door, and collected whatever payment goes to a specialist for a half hour consult. Which is a whole lot more than $49. So I officially complained, and the hospital's patients complaints handling person responded with "I'm sorry you don't like the diagnosis you got."

    OP, at least you got exactly the result from that mechanic that most people who would be happy to pay $49 for. That he didn't tell you a whole lot of things required fixing, at huge expense.

    Pink slips are widely and accurately perceived in the states that don't have them as just a way for garages to screw their customers. The garage operators association lobbies for them, as a road safety measures, but everyone else just thinks they are a licence to rip off car owners.

  • Seraphin7 on 11/08/2024 - 14:52
    +6

    I didn't question the mechanic "Passing" my vehicle and paid - as I don't want unnecessary costly repairs.

    Please provide details of this mechanic … I too am looking for a "no hassle" pink slip experience!

  • Sye on 11/08/2024 - 15:34
    +7

    This should be posted as a Deal. Normally a "no hassle" pink slip is $49 + a carton of beer.

    • pegaxs on 11/08/2024 - 17:45
      +2

      + a carton of beer.

      * @Uncle_Ian has entered the chat…

  • 82norm on 12/08/2024 - 09:01

    If the brakes fail the following week and the mechanic signed off on it, it’s his license gone. That said, I’d don’t mind the 30 second check. No news is good news sorta…..

    • Bignudge on 12/08/2024 - 09:46
      +3

      I don't really see how it's really his fault though, hydraulic brakes fail quiet catastrophically when they do. Either the system can hold the pressure, or it can't hold the pressure.

      • Gravy on 12/08/2024 - 11:52
        +1

        100% mechanic fault as they haven't taken the vehicle for a test drive to do the brake test.

        • quick-dry on 12/08/2024 - 13:38
          +4

          how? If the brakes were already failing then they'd pick it up, but if a cylinder fails with a crack it can be practically instantaneous - one too many pressure cycles and the crack propogates at the speed of sound in metal. bingo bango. It really depends on the particular failure that happens in a system.

          • Gravy on 12/08/2024 - 13:47
            +1

            @quick-dry: Because in the case of the op's experience, the brake test report was falsified.
            The correct brake testing method for NSW involves a test drive whilst the brake testing equipment is in the vehicle. The brake test will normally show the deceleration from a certain speed, indicating whether the brakes are failing.

            Mechanic did not test drive the vehicle and therefore must have produced a falsified brake test readout.

            • Assburg on 12/08/2024 - 22:41
              +1

              @Gravy: Falsifying the test when the brakes are working is not connected to their spontaneous failure afterwards.

              The point is, just brake checking the vehicle properly would, in most cases, not prevent a brake failure.

              • Gravy on 12/08/2024 - 23:51

                @Assburg: The point of the brake test though is to see if the brakes have already failed to the point of being unsafe. Without that test the mechanic can't say whether or not the brakes are working sufficiently, and in this case they have fraudulently signed off to say that they were safe and provided a faked brake test result.

                • quick-dry on 13/08/2024 - 12:40

                  @Gravy: true, I think we're going off in different directions. You're arguing about the case when the brakes have already failed - and perhaps nobody knows it yet. Whereas as we were replying to the case that @82norm gave of when the brakes fail sometime later after the testing (whether it is a sham test or not)

                  • Gravy on 16/08/2024 - 12:03

                    @quick-dry: Yeah perhaps… but let's look at a similar analogy. Let's say you paid someone to do a termite inspection on a house you are about to buy and they give it the all clear after performing an imaginary inspection. You go ahead with the purchase only to find the floor collapses after you move in, are you going to be going to be holding them liable? It's one thing to miss a potential fault during an inspection, it's something else altogether to intentional falsify a report after not performing the service.

    • Gravy on 13/08/2024 - 09:07

      Odd how people are glossing over the fact that the brake test was falsified.

      I wonder if dodgy mechanics just do a single legit brake test of one vehicle in the morning, then just keep printing copies of that same test for the rest of the vehicles that day? I cant remember if the brake test printout has the car's rego number on it?

  • pandadude on 12/08/2024 - 10:01

    Some manufacturers don't hoist there vehicles for service.

  • LFO on 12/08/2024 - 10:23
    +1

    The pink slip system seems broken and a waste of time and money.

    The pink slip system seems broken and is a waste of time and money. it is just another revenue collection schema.

    • larndis on 12/08/2024 - 13:39
      +1

      How does it collect revenue?

    • Cheap Gamer on 13/08/2024 - 07:37

      Revenue for mechanics, but not the state government.

      • Gravy on 13/08/2024 - 08:57

        Chat GPT tells me there is an accreditation fee for the business, plus an ongoing yearly fee to remain current. Somewhere around the $300-$400 mark for accreditation fee and annual fee of $200-$250 (these may be old pricings or wrong).

        I didn't spend long on it but I could not find out where these fees are detailed other than vague references to RMS and Fair Trading by chatgpt.

      • LFO on 14/08/2024 - 16:25

        Mechanics have to hold a proper accreditation, a license, a permit that invariably has a fee.

        Government revenue found.

        • Cheap Gamer on 20/08/2024 - 23:10

          Do you know how low those fees are? Look here under tradesperson certificate.
          NSW Motor dealers and repairers fees
          Three pinks slips per year would cover it, and the mechanic or his boss gets the rest.

  • eddyah on 12/08/2024 - 11:24
    +1

    What car does OP drive?

    If it's a Toyota Camry then the mechanic was right. According to OzBargain those things never fail

  • Gravy on 12/08/2024 - 11:47

    Pretty obvious dodgy tester if they are not actually taking the car for a test drive with brake test. Can't test brakes with car sitting in the parking area.

  • Guybrush57 on 12/08/2024 - 11:56

    Personally I don't have a problem with his lack of inspection since Victorian cars are allowed on all Australian roads without any roadworthy inspections at all.

    What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

    • richmond12 on 12/08/2024 - 12:26

      yeah but on the other end VIC has way more dodgy cars on the road with no inspections and have bald tyres etc

      • Guybrush57 on 12/08/2024 - 13:54
        -1

        Toll booths really need to be implemented at Vic borders to make Vic roadsters pay to enter other states or else implement roadworthy checks in their state.

        • Technics on 12/08/2024 - 20:42
          +1

          How many pieces o' eight? Surely anyone crossing into NSW will be punished enough.

    • A-mak on 16/08/2024 - 00:48

      What do you mean? You have to get a roadworthy certificate completed to be able to register or transfer a vehicle in Vic…

      I just had one done it cost me $275 and took 2hrs 20mins to complete. I can guarantee it was much more involved than OP's slip.

  • DiscoJango on 12/08/2024 - 19:32
    +2

    Not sure about nsw, but my mechanic in vic said if he 100% passes cars all the time, he starts getting audited, so most of the time he will flag something small and cheap, like your wiper blades, as an issue to rectify.

  • TightLikeThisx on 12/08/2024 - 20:27
    +3

    Wait until you find a mechanic that will do this over SMS.

    • Cheap Gamer on 13/08/2024 - 07:50
      +1

      I once tried getting a mobile pink slip on AIrtasker. Nearly every bidder said give me your details and it's done.

  • fredk1000 on 12/08/2024 - 21:27
    +3

    I will take a quick test any day, my point is just to get a pass.

    The quick test I normally get is check the lights (blinkers, brake, reverse and headlights) and tyres, maybe wipers. I always check these before going to get the test, also wash the car and windows first, if the car looks like it is looked after, they usually are easier.
    I have not seen them do a proper braking test since tests gone online.

    Tip - if your tyres are almost need changing or questionable but should pass, never take it to a tyre shop to to the pink slip, they will coincidently fail you almost every time. Not saying you don't change your tyres but not at a rego check.

    In the past when I had an older car, it was really stressful getting the pink slip. I have had a place rip me off, they failed me on seven globes (none were actually faulty), oil leak (no drips) they said was because of the oil pressure switch. They charged me $70 for the globes (I did no think they changed any), and $129 to change the switch which took about a minute. I am capable to fix all that, I said nothing and paid their bill as long as I got my pink slip, needless to say I never went back there and still more than 10 years later it still pisses me off that they did this. So I would take the easy pass any day.

  • Cheap Gamer on 13/08/2024 - 07:15

    Once took the wrong car for a pink slip and got passed :-o

    Bike pinks slips are a joke. Check the lights and tyres and you're done. That's what you get for only $28.

    • Bignudge on 13/08/2024 - 09:06
      +1

      That's legendary

  • TerryJustTerry on 13/08/2024 - 09:45

    Maybe its a new car thing?

    Mine is a little older and took about 2 hours (plus some minor repairs needed).

  • hasher22 on 13/08/2024 - 11:41
    +1

    You want your safety check pass or not?

    It seems you just want to fight for the sake of fighting….. you got it passed, rego your car.

    Tell me his details, I'll be glady to go to him for a check…. I don't have time to hand my car, wait half a day for a safety check. Or wait 1 hour……

  • Mr Freeman on 14/08/2024 - 23:09

    Pink slips in NSW are already hard enough with mechanics nit picking on everything and failing on items that "require" replacement to earn more revenue for the business.

    Lights, wipers, brakes, tyres and suspension/driveshaft issues (shaking/vibrations/noise is usually what flags them to inspect) are common items to check.

    Just accept the rego and move along. You should be keeping an eye on the basics.

    Tyres - 1. make sure you check and adjust pressure every few weeks 2. keep an eye on tread levels 3. any nail/screw damage or bubbles on sidewall = immediate change, cannot be repaired. Also, make sure that you get an alignment when necessary and to rotate your tyres every service for maximum life.

    Brakes - 1. Any vibration/noise from wear indicators (usually a loud squealing noise) inspect brakes as discs could be warped or you got no pad material left. 2. If brake pedal feels too soft or spongy, check brake fluid, yes it needs to be changed every 2 years or 40,000km's but i would check earlier (non-sports application).

    Suspension - if you hear any unusual noises, get it inspected earlier for a cheaper fix than waiting for a large repair. If you notice your driving has been affected, do not continue and get it sorted.

    Minor oil leaks should not be fail items but mechanics flag them as "servere" when it's dripping a bit. Most old cars for decades leak oil at some point it's normal, if it's a pool or to the point you lose oil very quickly, I can understand. Same applies with coolant leaks, minor you can get away with for a bit but a major can cause overheating issues etc.

    In this messed up economy, we are trying to save money to get repairs done but it does not help if mechanics are taking people for a ride and failing items that make the most money. Honesty is thrown out the window when thousands of dollars can be made.

    NSW roads, in particular Sydney are terrible and prob the reason why we can't enjoy lowered cars or low profile setups, pot hole at every damn corner. Do the checks above and you should be relatively safer than most who rely on mechanics for the basics.

    Stay safe all.

  • DarkOz on 28/11/2024 - 09:00

    Tell us who the mechanic is and he will be OzBargained.
    - $49 guaranteed without any defects. Tick.
    - Only 1 minute to complete and no need to spend an hour in the waiting room. Tick.

    • tonyjzx on 29/11/2024 - 18:12

      yeah OP is a complete noob

      its been long known that mechanics will often just tick a few boxes and fake the brake test and let you pass if you are a KNOWN customer

      this is a good thing

      if i have a well maintained car then i dont need the mechanic to do all this song and dance over $49 lol

      i want the mechanic to be a quick as possible

      it seems like OP has a lot of time to waste

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