Submitted by Popliteal- t3_z2trzb in massachusetts
Not trying to get inspected just genuinely asking for some clarity to see if MA is the same as RI when it comes to inspections. Just had a car fail for having a plate welded to the frame that had started rotting and that with that the car would never get inspected with that. Would it fail in MA for this same issue? I assume this falls under modified frame that would receive a failed inspection but just trying to confirm what I read
It sounds like they got rejected for an insufficient/improper repair.
The rot is the issue. It's easy to fix, though. You just kick it out and put a plate on it.
But I'm asking more are you allowed to repair it by welding a piece of metal there or does welding anything to the frame fall under modification as I was told that at least here in RI you can't repair it by welding anything to it
When you say "frame" do you mean underneath the car or do you mean the exterior body?
If it's underneath, the only way they'll see that is if they put the car on a lift, which they don't do in MA like some other states (NH for example).
If it's the exterior, just patch it up with some galvanized sheet metal, pop rivets and Bondo.
I patched up someone elses rust bucket that way and so far it's survived at least 5-6 Boston winters
This. Just mind the sharp edges. You don't want to cut someone's kid in a parking lot.
Ah yea it is in fact the frame I'm pretty sure although there is a slim chance it's the underside of the body but yea here in RI they've always thrown my cars on a lift and checked the underside of the car. They were able to poke through the rust as well so it's been gotten pretty good with rust
guy down the street from me has a truck that is nearly completely rusted out around the fenders and undercarriage. Thing still passes it's inspection every year. I know he doesn't use the garage I use for inspections.
The inspector I had said to use an Amazon box and some body filler to do the job
On point... use whatever DIY hacks you can come up with to pass inspection, as long as it lasts long enough to get you through the inspection.
...but not through a collision. Or maybe even daily use. That's a terrible recommendation.
Whatever works to beat the system. I've patched up more leaking mufflers and exhaust pipes with cut up soda cans and muffler clamps than I can remember.
Some have lasted a few months... some a few years. But in the end, I always got an inspection sticker.
That all sounds fine, but let's stop short of fake frame repairs. "The system" is there to keep us safe.
Mass is terrible for inspections. I got my inspection license while still in trade school. This was a while back but at that time you couldn't have any rot, no rust. These were all fails for saftey in mass.
However you could get away with it if the inspector didn't see it . Mass basically wanted your vehicle to look like it came from a dealer. Suspensions we're giving +/- 1" from Factor height.
Funny story now that I'm thinking of all this. Once had a car with a rotting bag of potatoes in the back seat during an inspection. Smelt terrible.
[deleted]
No but one time I got into a car for an inspection (summer just befor the big e) and you know those little back pillows ppl sometimes use for support? Well when I got in it was completely soaked in the customers back sweat. So it squished into the seat as I sat down (think went sponge) my first reaction was to lean forward but it just kinda stuck to my back.
Good times
I'd contact a local inspection station or go in, in person and ask.
The inspection regulations covering frame rust for non-commercial vehicles are in 540 CMR sec 4.04 sub section 12 paragraph f
https://www.mass.gov/doc/rmv-regulations/download
(f) Frame or Unibody. Broken, cracked, modified or rusted structural parts of the undercarriage or unibody so as to cause a hazard or structural weakness.
I doubt the repaired area would cause any issues, unless, it was poorly done and didn’t address all of the damage to the frame. That being said, it’s really up to the inspector and how they look at the repair
A properly repaired frame will pass inspection. My car has a patched frame and I've had a few shops mention it. Say it looks good and its awesome I saved a classic
DEPENDS on the repair.
It has to look professional and safe. And metal around it solid.
Booger welds, and welding 1/8th" plate to a unitbody 18 gauge sheet metal in a crumble zone, would be a fail.
Booger welds on a frame (body on frame) and repair questionable . will = fail.
So is the repair questionable? if so you kinda know the answer.
Banea-Vaedr t1_ixi33vd wrote
The rust rule is basically if a coin fits in it, it needs to be repaired.