Apex Automotive and RI Inspection, Beware!!
Ever since RI had to comply with the Fed. regulations concerning auto emissions, some garages have been using this as a club to gernerate profits. I had Apex do my inspection for the year of 2000 and was irate at how they strove to find every little thing they could wrong with my car. It was a Mazda Protege in good condition.
Prior to 1999, most RI inspections dealt with the brakes, lights, exhaust, tires and wipers. These elements are what most mechanics are concerned with when it comes to safety. But to generate more profit for themselves, I found Apex to be "extra vigilant" when it comes to doing the inspection. I was saddled with a $400 bill at the end and was, in a sense, held hostage till I paid it and finally given a inspection sticker. Once they find something wrong with your car, you are stuck, you have to get it fixed. No matter how trivial.
Do not bring your car to them for inspection or any work whatsoever. Find someone else as I did for my 2001 inspection. That one I came away with a zero defect report.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Mike
Redmond,Washington,
U.S.A.
Don't be so trusting... why should they have the upper hand?
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, September 05, 2003
In the UK, we have had MOT tests for years and our mechanics aren't that much more honest than over here.
Have the evaluation done before agreeing to have the work done. If they want too much or insist on doing the work too, walk away and take your business elsewhere.
Simple, obvious but effective. You're the one with the money - why should they have the upper hand?
B
Salt Lake,Utah,
You got what you asked for
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 06, 2002
You did not say anywhere in your complaint that the repairs were not needed. Just because YOU think they were trivial, by law the items should be inspected and failed if need be. You asked for an emissions test, that is what you got.