I visited Premier Tire & Auto Center on November 7, 2025, to get a safety inspection and was charged $160 for the certification. They quoted me around $1,350 for repairs that should have been roughly $500 elsewhere. When I decided not to proceed with the repairs, they told me I'd still need to pay the full safety fee and could return within 10 days, but if I got the work done somewhere else, I'd have to pay another $80.
After taking my car to another licensed shop, I was told that no proper safety inspection had actually been done; it appeared they only looked at the car visually without completing an official inspection through the DriveON system. When I spoke with the Ministry of Transportation, they confirmed that it's not permitted to charge a full inspection fee without completing a certified inspection.
When I went back to clarify this with Premier Mechanic, the staff became confrontational and denied that I had even been there, despite me having proof of my visit. I've since had to spend time contacting the Ministry of Transportation, the City of Windsor, the Better Business Bureau, and DriveON to report the issue.
Overall, I paid $160 for an incomplete inspection and was quoted almost triple the fair cost for repairs. I strongly advise others to be cautious and do their research before using this business. read more