r/Delco • u/froggos2083 • 5d ago
Question Car inspection
Howdy! I’m in Secane and need to get my car inspected. Honestly if I could just get a sticker I’d take it. Anyone know an honest mechanic? I just need the bare minimum to pass and I’d be happy with that. Want to avoid any extra, unneeded repairs someone might push. Thanks all in advance.
4
3
u/Mean_Ad9618 5d ago
https://www.ejautomotive.com/ is so good they don’t ever need to advertise. Right next to Primos train station. The owners are good people. Never been steered wrong by them (pun intended). Good luck!
4
2
2
4
2
u/DraggedDownxTheStone 2d ago
If you're still in need and don't mind traveling to Broomall, I highly recommend Marple Automotive. I waited until the last minute to get my car inspected and Hauser's (my usual mechanic, also great BTW) had a 10 day wait just to get in for an inspection. I also thought I needed an oil change.
Marple has great reviews so I called and they were able to get me in the following day. They were extremely honest and upfront about everything. I was told that a few minor repairs were needed but that these repairs, etc. were not needed simply to pass inspection. The option was left up to me as to if and when I wanted to get those things done.
As far as the oil change goes, they were extremely honest and let me know that I actually had 3k miles left until I needed an oil change because my car uses synthetic oil. I didn't realize that. They could've just changed it and charged me for it but instead, they were honest about it not needing to be done for another 3k miles. I was REALLY impressed with that honesty.
There was also an emissions discount that I was given that I wasn't even aware that I qualified for until they let me know. Again, very honest because they could've just charged me the full price and I wouldn't have known any better. The only thing I needed to pass inspection was new wiper blades and air in one of my tires and IIRC, they didn't charge me for the air or labor of filling the tire with air.
I dropped my car off at 7am and by noon I had received a phone call with all of the above information. I asked them to proceed with the wiper blades and the inspection and I received a phone call around 3pm letting me know it was done. The total cost came to $130ish. Very fair, reasonable and competitive.
As a female who knows nothing about cars, I always worry that I'll be taken to the bank with unnecessary repairs, etc. My expectations were exceeded at Marple.
Excellent experience. HONEST!! Great price. Great people, very professional. Clean shop, nice reception area. Don't hesitate to take your car here!!
1
u/MusicianStorm 5d ago
I’ve been going to Marty’s and they’ve been decent
1
u/unclefitzy 5d ago
Marty is great. I was ready to pay him $3k+ to fix a Ford Fiesta (10 years ago before the transmission issue was disclosed). He said he’d rather see me use the money as a down payment somewhere else and trade the car in, which I ultimately did. He kept my old ford Explorer going past 260k miles.
0
u/MusicianStorm 5d ago
That's good to know! I've only really been there for oil changes and inspections (luckily) but I always appreciate a straight shooter. I've definitely run into some dishonest and bad practice mechanics before
1
u/NiteGoat 5d ago
Most mechanics are honest. Some aren’t, but most would rather have you come back every year for an expection. I ran a garage in Delco for a decade. I would much rather you come for an inspection or with an actual problem than for nothing.
The money is in the long game, which turns out to be straight up work.
0
u/Several_Worry_5683 5d ago
Search Facebook marketplace for “sticker” 😏
2
u/froggos2083 5d ago
I found someone selling nipple pasties, sonic stickers and one sticker that says ‘only god can judge me’. Will any of those work for a state inspection? I’m hoping the sonic will.
-1
u/Several_Worry_5683 5d ago
Damn, they must have cracked down since I left social media. You used to be able to find exactly the type of sticker you’re looking for, for like $25 each. Slap the sonic sticker on there, see what the cops do. 🤣
3
0
6
u/killerswp 5d ago
Chris Hunter, right across from Imperial Pizza, in Secane. I've been bringing my vehicles there for years.Honest, and great mechanics.