pa auto inspection

[qweezyq]

anyone know where i can go for an honest inspection that has evening hours during the week. somewhere within a 15 minute ride of Queen village is preferable.
Thanks
also never did this in pa before. what is a reasonable rate for it?

[radiocolin]

$90 is about what you expect to pay for someone who isn't into funny business. Places that charge in the neighborhood of $50 will likely try to take you for a ride (pun intended) on expensive repairs to pass.

I like Mid-City at 7th/Passyunk and Washington, but you need to drop it off in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon. They're straight up guys and sometimes they'll even slap on some new wiper blades for you.

I don't think you'll find many shops that do it in the evening during the week, except maybe Pep Boys. They tried to sell me a $300 brake job to pass when I went there.

[Moonraker]

Check the AAA website Approved Auto Repair

[Eastcoast]

I always had luck with 11th Street Auto Repair (11th and Christian) (215) 928-0376.

Can't remember the PA inspection rate but you could just call them.
They were always honest and responsive so no complaints from this quarter, typically I would have them do an oil change and wiper blades at the same time just to sweeten the deal for them.

They open early so I would just drop off around 7am and if I needed to pick up after hours they would lock my keys in the car and I would use my second set.

[tsarstruck]

I've also had good experience with 11th Street.

[ShoshTrvls]

I go to Pep Boys on Delaware, but I don't know their hours.

[chuckiezip]

11th st is very good. so is mike diantonio, on 11th south of washington - ellsworth, i think. both honest, old school shops.

[mikkifinn]

I go to Mid-City as well, and I think they are great. Usually get an oil change while I am there for the inspection. They don't have a lot of control over the price, as certain fees are set by the state for mandated tests, like emissions. I think $90 was about what I paid last year, too, and I remember them explaining that to me apologetically, even though I didn't question the bill. According to the PennDot website, the fees should be posted at certified inspection stations.

[TonyDanza]

Mid-City are solid dudes - I take my car there for everything.

[Reader]

Absolutely go to Mid City. I love them because they tell you what you really need right now and what you can get away with not doing yet. I never feel pressured to do extra work or spend/buy more than I need.
In 2008 I took my car in there for the first time for an inspection in December. Dropped it off the day before and came back the next day. Walked 12 blocks in 3+ feet of snow the night after one of our huge storms. When I went to get the car, the guy there went out, warmed it up and cleaned it off. He then insisted I take his ice scraper because I didn't have one. He also gave me hot chocolate and a bar of chocolate because I looked so cold, wet and miserable. It's still the same guy and he still goes above and beyond. I've had really bad tire luck with all the pot holes, and he's repaired and replaced many of mine in the past few years. The last one he did free, just because he's had me in so much and it was a simple patch (nail in the tire).
On the other hand, I had my car die two Saturdays ago around 3 pm. I had Triple A tow it to Pep Boys on Delaware, against my better judgement and previous experience with them, since Mid City isn't open on Sunday. After many, many mistakes and delays, I finally got the car back 5 days later. All I needed was a new alternator. They did end up giving me a discount on the work due to the many f**K ups that happened.

[sophie008]

If you have enough time you can also check out Gus Johnson, I heard their 172-point inspection process is very effective. If you want to know more, you can visit this site here for more info: Take a look at Gus Johnson Ford.