August is the renewal month for safety & emissions inspection with our van. I have not been putting it off, I just planned to do it the last week of the month since school would be starting.
As far as I understand, a while back all inspection places charged the same amount; then the laws changed and now they can charge whatever they want. I called around many different places and the cost varied as much as $10. Some places have coupons and other places accept competitor coupons up to $5 off. We have usually chosen a place that only does inspections for their business, who take competitor coupons. This is the best way to go especially if you have an older car.
Be careful with choosing auto shops that do inspections. They will often be picky or find something else "wrong" with your car. They give out hefty coupons like "free safety insepction with purchase of emissions" but they try to make up the difference with other services.
Some inspection places will submit the info to the state and give you the renewal sticker immediately, but they charge a fee for this. Save yourself a few bucks and easily renew online for free. You'll get the sticker in the mail within a few days. If you renew the last day of the month and won't get the sticker before the new month begins, you can print out a temporary renewal paper and stick it in your car until you get the sticker (there's no need to stand in line at the DMV.)
This time around I decided to call the dealership where I bought the van last year to find their price. I was surprised that they were $1 less than the cheapest place I called (at regular price without a coupon.) Today I got the safety & emissions done at the dealership. I enjoyed lounging in the waiting room with free granola bars, rice krispie treats, juice, herbal tea, and apples. There were toys, a tv & dvd player, and newspaper & magazines to read. They could have shuttled me somewhere if needed and to top it all off, they wash & vacuumed my car for free!
As Annie would say "I think I'm gonna like it here."
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