What does a typical PPI cover ? And what do they usually charge ?

Is it focused very much on some 'basic' mechanical things and a gloss-over for signs of accidents, etc. ?

Thanks,

Andy

 

I paid $250 at Stead in Walnut Creek. They went over the car completely, including a download of the onboard computer. Very interesting because it shows the entire fault code history of the car -- # of times the alarm has been set off (four), over-revs (zero!), etc. I thought it was steep, but got my money's worth asking the service advisor all kinds of questions about the car. He was extremely helpful, and since the car had been serviced there in the past he was able to tell me all about it.

Once I knew the car was ok, I also had them smog it. That's about $160 around here, fixed rate mandated by the state.

 

Thanks for the info. Whoa... $160 for a smog ????

That's cool... so they gave you a printout of the computer fault codes ?

Very cool!

Andy

 

Rusnak in Pasadena charged $125 to do a PPI on my Boxster S that I sold. With regard to the smog cert, I took my car to a local place and he charged me $40 for the test/certificate.

 

Phaff charged me 268.00 Canadian and they went through everything . I think it was 120 point inspection, well worth it considering the first 996 i was looking at many moons ago needed $6000.00 in work...WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!

 

Unless I got totally hoodwinked. NoCal has new requirements that smog test has to be on one of those machines where they put the car on rollers and drive (versus just sticking a sensor up the tailpipe and revving while in neutral). The machines cost a fortune, but my understanding is the fee they're allowed to charge is regulated by the state.

If anyone knows different let me know and I'll go yell at Stead for ripping me off.

 

I don't believe that is the case. My C4 Cab was smogged just before New Years. As a point of reference, if you have a C4, they can't put in on the rollers and drive the car - so they do a tailpipe test only.

I probably get 1-2 coupons a week offering discounts for a smog check. Most average $35-$45 with the certificate. I don't know why the process would be any different up there than it is down here......

Unless something changed Jan 1 (some new law?), I think you overpaid just a bit......

 

Even with the new smog test, the maximum charge is $79.00 in Northern California. There are still many places that will do it for $49.00

 

Damn. Looks like I got ripped. I'll have to be a little more careful next time. Oh well, that's what happens when you're all excited to buy a car. Really enjoying the car though!

Thanks guys.

 

Colorado has a clean air emissions program that requires you to take it to a facility for testing. They have setups for the all wheel drive cars as well as rear/front drive cars.

It can be a bit crowded but the cost is only 24.25.