will a repaired windshield pass a state auto inspection?

I live in a state where you have to have your vehicle inspected every year and I was thinking about entering the windshield repair business and it would be devasstating if a repaired windshield would still fail an inspection. So my question is this: will a repaired crack or whatnot pass an inspection?

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Yes, a windshield that has been repaired will pass state inspections unless the damage is in the "acute" area of the glass - directly in front of the driver.

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Cybershadow,

This is from thr PA state Vehicle Code. According to this in my state the answer is yes and I would say it would hold true in all states provided it is properly repaired. You will have to check your state code to be sure.

Below is what I use as a selling tool and for customer reassurance.


§ 175.80. Inspection procedure.

(a)External inspection, how to perform it and how it applies to windshield repair.

1. Check glazing.
A.Reject if any of the following apply:
1) Approved safety glazing is not used in every windshield, window and wing.
2) Glass is shattered or broken or has exposed sharp edges.
3) There are defects in an acute area of the windshield—center of the critical area on the driver’s side of the vehicle directly in the driver’s normal line of vision, 8 ½ inches wide and 5 ½ inches high—or discolorations or hazardous cracks to the front, right, left or rear of the driver which would interfere with the driver’s vision.

2. Check the windshield wiper system and reject if any of the following apply:
B. Reject if any of the following apply:
1) The wiper blades are torn or smear or streak windshield after five cycles.

Safe Glass Technologies Repairs meet and exceed DOT standards as outlined in the inspection code above § 175.80.
We Guarantee It.

I hope this helps you.

Pay it foward,

Brian
www.safeglasstechnologies.com

info@safeglasstechnologies.com</p>

Brian, what you have quoted for State Inspection in Pennsylvania is correct. But.. If you continued to read the rest of the "glazing" article you wll see the final paragraph reads that the final decision rests upon the inspector. Too many times have I encountered a shop in Pa that I call (the old farts garage) where in the owner/mechanic/inspector does not believe in windshield repair, even when you can show him that it does work and is structurally sound. I agree the State did a great job outlining specifics for the use of a repaired windshield. But, I also always ask the inspector first, just to get a feel on his way of thinking. Plus, by doing this he does not feel like I am overstepping his boundries and respects me as a professional more.

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Glassdoc,

I did read it in its entirety and if it is repaired properly and it falls within the code it should pass no problem. They would be hard pressed to provide a justified reason to fail it if it meets the guidelines the state has set.

I do agree with you that there might be some garages that are not educated in windshield repair which might raise a flag to fail the car. Theres not much we can do about that but the customer with repair invoice should be able to overcome this hurdle. I have not had one fail inspection to date but that does not mean at some point in the future I won't do to there(garages) lack of education.

The last part of your post, where coming from the point of view of getting the repair shop to let you do repairs on failed inspections? Either way I agree with you 100%. You should always talk to them respectfully as I think most feel we are not skilled technicians in the big field of maintenance. You brought up a good point that all should follow.

Pay it foward,

Brian
www.safeglasstechnologies.com

info@safeglasstechnologies.com</p>

The hurdle that Brian mentioned can be overcame. I recently was called by a customer stating that a dealer (one that I service) failed her car for inspection. The shot in question was in the center bottom (bullseye) between the wiper blade ends. I scheduledher for the next A.M., did the repair and she took her car back to the dealership. They failed her again. Naturally she called, upset, understandably so. But I informed her there was no reason for the failure, and offered to call the dealership. What I found out was the inspection mechanic was having a "bad week" and he refused to put stickers on anything that he did not want too. (Truth be told, mechanics and service writers make NO commission off a vendors repair, only off the sale of NEW parts). I called the customer and requested some of her time, as we took the vehicle to 3 other garages and routinely ask if the windshield would pass state inspection. 8 mechanics from those 3 garages could not locate the repair. So, I did the only thing feasible, ( in PA the customer pays pass or fail for an inspection) I called the State Police who met us at the dealership that failed the inspection. The officer got the mechanic that failed it and together they looked for the repair, (mind you its been 3 days since doing), neither could find it. Result, passed inspection, prior inspection mechanic, must do 2 weeks of training at State Police Inspection school and re-qualify for his liscence, and is currently doing tire balancing and oil changes at dealership. I am not happy to ruin someones carreer path, but I too am a professional and demand respect for knowing my job. Most customers probably will not participate as mine did, she is definately a firm believer in windshield repair. And has already given me several leads to her friends. Golden rule: If you are in the right, it deserves a fight.

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you bet it does! fight on!

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Glassdoc,

Good for you my friend. Your determination and character prevailed and right will always be right.

Pay it foward,

Brian
www.safeglasstechnologies.com

info@safeglasstechnologies.com</p>

Well thanx that helps alot, and lucky for me the state I live in is PA so you have been more than helpful.

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cybershadow,

Where are you located? Drop me an e-mail.


Pay it foward,

Brian
www.safeglasstechnologies.com

info@safeglasstechnologies.com</p>