Would like for any to comment their objective thoughts on whether you think this is worthy of being failed for an inspection due to too much rust? Tried to take the best pics I could, especially of the "worst" areas I could find. Would especially like to hear if anyone else has had any frame rust issues/trouble getting it passed for inspection? I see a lot of questionable cars on the road, and not sure that this qualifies. Body and mechanical is otherwise in fantastic shape. (Located in VA, for those wondering where the inspection is taking place/I know some states do not require. Model year 2009) Thanks.
Failed inspection for a rusted frame? (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter NC2COCruiser
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- #3
Already failed, which is how it came to my attention. Any recs on best way to treat?
A frame shop should be able to fix this with fresh metal. This is a pretty straightforward fix. Definitely would fluid film this going forward.
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Rattle can flat black paint and then find a different shop to reinspect. I lived in VA for years… some shops use a microscope and some will honk the horn and flash the lights and slap a sticker on you. If you’re anywhere near Manassas I can recommend a shop that used to be easy to go to…
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- #6
Appreciate it. I am thinking something similar. may get that one spot fixed for peace of mind and then just spray the rest to keep it from spreading further. In Cville, so prob 2 hours south of Manassas. The shop I went to used to be great, but I think they possibly got in trouble, because the last 2 times have been hell with inspections. On my other car, told me I needed pads and rotors and quoted me $1100. I did it and pulled them myself and the pads had 60-70% left. Just replaced all parts anyway to the tune of $90 and got the sticker. Shame on me for giving them a 2nd chance...
In this case I’m actually surprised. Normally the shops that quote issues also want to do the work. Were they quoting frame repair? It seems odd they’d reject you for that if they don’t also offer the repair, since what benefit is it to them to reject you otherwise?
I never liked the VA safety inspection model. Far too ripe for fraud and abuse. I’d had vehicles rejected for completely bogus issues multiple times, much like your rejection for brakes.
Oh man, the cancer. The use of salt on roads should be banned. I can't believe in 2025 there aren't any better solutions that avoid rotting a car like this.
Most Eastern Sates will fail you for any "rust created" hole in the frame. No matter the size. I lived in PA for a while and had a fab shop as a client. They did a ton of Toyota frame patches to get people through inspection.
Thats an easy fix. Get someone to patch it and get reinspected.
Thats an easy fix. Get someone to patch it and get reinspected.
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- #10
Yeah, they couldn't do the frame repair, but rest assured they had a laundry list of what items they could help with. They asked if I wanted a quote and I told them I'd pass.
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- #11
Good to know. Any thoughts on a range (rough estimate) would be to get something like this repaired? Thanks
And it’s not just vehicles. Bridges and everything associated with roads rots too. It’s a monster extra expense for everyone.
Not knocking anyone or any state, but if you have a 100 year history of bad results wouldn't you at least try something different?
Shame on you for using m logic and suggesting free market solutions.
For real tho, there’s gotta be something better than salt. I’m sure there’s downstream environmental issues as well.
I’ll take my humidity and mosquitos in the south over the Connecticut confetti every time.
The results are a greatly decreased number of accident and injuries. That is why they do it. Unfortunately it would be easily fixed with mandating winter tires like they do in most areas of Canada. But, you know, FREEDOM.
All salt does is lower the melting point of snow by a few degrees. Lots of things can do that. But it only really works if it only gets a few degrees bellow freezing, and actually if used in the wrong temperature range, it just makes slush which is even more dangerous than snow. Sand is a _much_ better solution IMO.
As for mandating winter tires, they already require you take your studded tires off in the summer, don't see why they can't just require you put them on in the winter. Except I guess that a lot of people can't afford two sets of tires. Which, too be fair, most of our "summer" tires are just studded snows where all the studs have worn off
As for mandating winter tires, they already require you take your studded tires off in the summer, don't see why they can't just require you put them on in the winter. Except I guess that a lot of people can't afford two sets of tires. Which, too be fair, most of our "summer" tires are just studded snows where all the studs have worn off
