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Virginia Tire and Auto - suspect state inspections?

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by Aaron Bice, Apr 28, 2017.

  1. Aaron Bice

    Aaron Bice New Member

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    About 3 weeks ago, I took my minivan for a state inspection. It failed because a rear light was cracked and the white light could be seen through. I had no idea there was even a crack but went along with it. We ordered a part and they installed it. Car passed inspection $200+ later.

    This week, I took my jeep in for a state inspection and it also failed. Something about a front blinker light not functioning and they would have to order a new part and install to pass. The quoted price was more than about $600 because they had to order a new mirror and not just the light. I called BS. I took it to my jeep dealer and it passed. I'm not really sure what to make of this situation but I'm not happy that it feels like a scam. Just want to put it out there to be aware.

    Needless to say, I don't think I'll be going there ever again.

    CB
     
  2. pvcv

    pvcv New Member

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    we've also had an unusual experience there. took the car in a tire rotation/balance (they installed the tires) and when we picked it up the tech hand wrote on the order the lug nuts were the wrong ones and it as not safe to drive. Mind you there was no note in the computer. They said we need to replace all of them for a very hefty price. we told them we got the appropriate lug nut information from a dealer and those were the ones that were on the vehicle. So taking our fate into our own hands we've been driving it ever since. Even took it back for the safety inspection and not one mention of lug nuts. It makes me wonder if it happens when certain techs are working but I have no proof of that. All I know if the car, tires and lug nuts are fine and have passed safety inspection.
     
  3. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Yea I had similar problems in my family with this place... do a search in the Forum for historical read. I usually research a business here on the Forums too, interesting what you can learn.
     
  4. JJB

    JJB Active Member

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    Have you all ever heard of "Sales Commissions"...just saying
     
  5. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    By the book, a cracked tail light should fail inspection. I'm not defending VA Tire (I've had mixed experiences here myself), at $200 to replace a light cover seems extreme, but it sounds like their inspectors are very "thorough".
     
  6. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    I will never take my cars back there. They tried to fail my car for tire tread two years ago. I challenged them and what do you know. No need for tires and I'm still driving on them.

    The final straw was when my wife took her car in for an oil change. They forgot to put the top back on to the oil pan. When I saw oil all over the floor in my garage and realized what they had done. Unbelievable. I've never seen such incompetence.

    I've been taking my cars to the one by the ice rink for years. They have always been professional and quick. I'd recommend them no problem.
     
    JTC likes this.
  7. chrisatpc

    chrisatpc Member

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    Yeah I had a similar experience at Virginia Tire and Auto with an inspection failing because of a brake thickness issue. They wanted $$$ to repair. Took it to Fallon Automotive and they said it was fine.
     
  8. Thunderchild

    Thunderchild New Member

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    Which location? I have had issues with the one near the old Shoppers Food Warehouse. They failed my brakes, but I watched the Tech for 3 inspections and not once did he remove the tires to inspect or use any micrometer to test thickness. I went to my mechanic and he said in about a year you will need new brakes. I haven't had any problems with the one in the Broadlands.
     
  9. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    I use them for oil changes and inspections, occasionally tires, but as soon as one of them has the bright idea that something might actually be wrong I take it to Fallon's for a second opinion. To their credit, they've been decent over the years, but it's just been the last two times where they've recommended a total of $1400 worth of work that actually turned out nothing and $600.
     
  10. mckmak23

    mckmak23 New Member

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    I took my wife's car in there for rear brakes. They called me while they were closing up the job to tell me the dipstick was missing. I found this strange because the last time the hood was open was a month prior when they were performing a state inspection. I called them on it and made them replace the dipstick. The fact that I wasn't challenged on pointing the finger at them leads me to believe that they know when to stop when someone calls bs. This was the southern walk location
     
  11. kevinq

    kevinq Member

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    or they decided it makes more business sense to replace the $15 dipstick to keep a customer happy and keep his future business
     
  12. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    Or they had the dipstick still sitting there and just put it back in
     
  13. Steve Campot

    Steve Campot Broadlands Real Estate Broker

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    They lied to me about my car only able to run on synthetic motor oil.
     
  14. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    They lost my business. Whenever I get prices for tires, they always say they will match any competitor.
    I need new tires for my car. Got a written quote from Merchant's for 4 Michelin tires. I went to VA Tire in Broadlands and asked if they sold them. They did, and again said they would match competitors.
    Their price was quite a bit higher. I showed here my written price from Merchant's. She went in back and called the manager. She then said the price was too low and they wouldn't match it.
    Crooks.
     
  15. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    VaCliff- I suspect VA Tire in Broadlands fail cars quite a bit in order to get people to BUY their services/tires there....but when I go to a different place, I have no issues. Seems Broadlands VA Tire needs $$$$ to keep operating because they are not in an area that has ALOT Of cars. Its not as busy as MANY other places. SO they have to try drum up more business to make the $$$ happen.
     
  16. Excelsior

    Excelsior Southern Walk||IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO||

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    I had a problem with these guys over a year ago... They messed up an alignment and I had to bring it in twice. For my tires, I went to Sam's Club in Sterling. It's worth the membership just for the purpose of tire savings. You get road hazard limited warranty and free balance/rotation for the life of the tires.


    Seems busy enough and they always keep a couple dozen cars in their queue parked in the lot limiting customer parking for legitimate business like the Blend.
     
  17. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Then maybe they want BIGGER profits = more bonuses for the top dawgs.
     

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