ULPT: How to safely & purposely fail a car safety inspection?

Posted by Beneficial-Assist849@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 17 comments

Hypothetically. I don’t want to pass the inspection. I want to make it fail so I can’t drive clients around for work. What’s a safe but effective way to “opt out?” It’s a 2017 Volkswagen. Preferably easily reversible, like unplugging an engine sensor or removing the seatbelts.

Please note that I am NOT trying to make a car appear safe that isn’t. I want my perfectly safe car to appear unsafe for the inspection only. I don’t want my car to be used for commercial purposes just because my employer asks me to. This will require additional insurance and wear & tear that my company probably won’t reimburse me for.

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DoallthenKnit2relax@reddit

If you don't want to drive people for your company, ask them to pay for all of your automobile insurance.

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PlanetExcellent@reddit

Unless you are transporting people and charging them like a ride share, I don’t see why your insurance would increase.

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Jayches@reddit

You want to fail for a reason that looks expensive to repair. Removing the seal for the gas cap (very small emissions leak) or unplugging one of the fuel injectors (would throw a bunch of error codes and would make the car idle like crap). If compelled to drive, insist on a $1.50 per mile because your gas mileage is so poor. All of the things that come to mind would be quickly caught by a mechanic, so you’ll need to enlist him to write a big repair estimate.

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thermal_shock@reddit

Brake a brake light bulb. Disconnect a cable under the hood so a check engine light comes on.

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stabbingrabbit@reddit

Pull the fuse for a turn signal.

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drake90001@reddit

Just don’t go?..

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PHOTO500@reddit

Pull fuse for the horn.

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boromae-consultant@reddit

Well, I know a way because I dealt with this issue. First, yeah just better to not have your job force you to use a personal car.

I can get you to fail specifically an emissions code.

Google "P0456 Small Evaporation Leak " on youtube.

Basically, there's a system that detects evap leaks and if a part fails, then you generate a check engine light. If any part of the detection system itself fails (it's supposed to detect leaks), then it says there is a leak. Leakception.

Anyway, there are several parts but the easiest is to take your gas cap. Take a box knife and fuck up the o-ring around the gas cap, so it doesn't properly seal.

This will lead to air and gas vapors leaking out the fuel gas cap. It will cause a check engine light.

I recommend you'd buy a new gas cap at Autozone. Then mess up your old one. And start using the new one. Not a bad idea to replace your gas cap every 5 years anyway.

Test that the old gas cap now generates check engine light. Switch to new one driving around until you go to your inspection.

Then right before inspection switch it to the old one. You'll fail the inspection.

Car is totally safe.

There is a small hose that attaches to something called an EVAP VALVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6MKPmYI8MY. You could climb under your car and just barely loosen the hose and that would be sneakier.

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ProJoe@reddit

Just say no.

It's your car, not your employers, if they want you to drive someone they need to provide the car or compensate you.

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Ghrrum@reddit

I would ask the higher ups how the insurance situation would be handled, double for how any workers comp claims would be delt with

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Super-Travel-407@reddit

Pull the fuse for the lights. Brakelights, taillights, headlights...whatever is easiest.

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KevHes1245@reddit

Option B, go in to inspection sho and grease the guy $10 and tell him you want it to fail lol. He'll pull the fuse.

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Competitive_Watch986@reddit

I think this is the best option. Safe, reversible and inexpensive.

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gotcha640@reddit

Another vote for tell them no.

I’ve been driven around by contractors, but it’s never a “let me get in your car and you drive me” sort of thing. I have my own car, and a work truck, and a pool I can grab a car if needed.

If you just tell the client you’ll meet them at XYZ or to follow you, do they make it weird?

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