I was on my way to Walgreen's in Lexington when I noticed this Gulf station had a sign saying they do automobile state inspections. I had dodged being cheated at a Mobil station in Burlington the day before while attempting to have an inspection done (see my separate review of that Mobil), and I still needed a new one-year inspection sticker. I didn't think lightening would strike twice, so soon, so I pulled in and dropped off my car with a young man wearing glasses who said to park in front of the garage and I would have time to do some quick shopping across the street. When I returned a few minutes later, my car was in the garage and different young man, bearded and doughy, with a heavy accent excitedly informed me that he would not be able to pass my car's inspection given three different reasons. He seemed gleeful in delivering this assessment. 1) The window tinting (which has passed inspection for the last 13 years) would have to be removed. 2) My front license plate was fastened on with zip ties (which was done at the dealership 13 years ago and which always passed inspection.). 3) One of my headlights was smudgy (still functions well, and again for 13 years wasn't mentioned, and subsequently when I took my car elsewhere, wasn't mentioned either).
While at the Gulf station, I glanced around the quiet garage and noticed there were actually three chubby under-twenty-years-olds hanging out, apparently not doing much of anything. I was puzzled as to the real reason for not wanting to inspect my vehicle, but also sensing that these weren't solid professionals, I shrugged off their apparent indifference to work. None of the issues presented to me sounded valid, nor had those concerns ever been brought to my attention during prior state inspections of this vehicle. Given my strong sense that these guys didn't have their heads in the game, I politely informed the puffy young man that I would take my car somewhere else. He said something nonchalant like, "good luck." I asked if he needed to pull my car out of the garage himself. He said, no, I was free to take the wheel myself. The day before, at the Mobil station in Burlington, the station attendant had admonished me angrily for having attempted to pull my car into the garage, saying it was a big deal because insurance doesn't allow customers in the garage area, and that a customer should never pull his vehicle in, or out of the garage. I suppose the rules depend on who's minding the hen house.
So, chalk this up as two bad experiences, at two separate local stations, within two days. I don't think I'll be stopping at a Mobil, or a Gulf station again. Don't worry fans. Believe it or not, it took me shopping at two more stations before my inspection was completed. I guess it's a crap shoot these days to get a legitimate inspection done. This is one place to avoid. read more