As above, first HPDE this weekend. Dealer got me for about $187 after PCA discount on a pristine fairly new car that they've maintained. I know the PCA runs free/low cost sessions at indies, but this event is with another region's PCA and getting to their tech would have killed a good chunk of a day. What should I expect to pay at an indy? Do they need any special certifications (from either PCA or track). I know the inspection itself is pretty simple and doesn't require much beyond general competence. Bonus question - any recs in Southeast PA/central NJ (Philly, Bucks, Princeton)?

 

At that price they better did a brake fluid flush. Check your bill.

I've never paid for a HPDE inspection from an independent shop. Your host PCA Region's website usually indicates the approved inspection locations. They tend to accept other Region's inspection forms and stations. Mind you that I usually give these shops a lot of other business, such as post race/HPDE weekend nut and bolt. Try Bodymotion in Ocean, NJ next time.

 

Seems steep to me. Some places do it complimentary, if you are a good customer of theirs and they service the car regularly and (if a track oriented car) frequently. I have experienced nominal charges ($25+-) However, in today's business climate, I could be severely out of touch. Not sure exactly what they did? Did your car need anything besides brake fluid flush?

 

Call Max at Provost Motorsports in Bordentown NJ. Great shop. He does DE inspections and all maintenance and repairs for a bunch of club racers etc.
609-298-3555

 

Provost is awesome and fairly priced.

 

Another endorsement for Provost. Plus, Max will be able to help you out when you're sitting at your desk Monday morning trying to decide which race class you want to build a car for.

And as others mentioned, it's common for race shops to offer complimentary tech inspections once you've built a relationship with them. I think I've paid for one inspection, and it was before my very first event...if it makes you feel better, I paid more than you and it wasn't at a dealer! Haven't been back to that shop since...

 

The indy I use (Northern VA) doesn’t charge for tech inspections, and as a result of that and getting great advice and support for free from them as well, I use them for all of the work I need on my car...which is probably the point of them doing tech for free. Their labor rates are a bit higher than other indy shops in the area (not dealer high) but they’ve earned my trust.

if you call around you’ll probably find someone who does them for free, or at least will do it for free along with an oil change or brake flush or something. Also, relationships mean something. If a shop that I was getting regular work/maintenance from was still charging me for HPDE tech inspections I’d be looking elsewhere.

 

Shouldn't have to pay anything. Use your local shop (Indy) if you have one, not the dealer.

My first tech sheet (many moons ago) was by the dealer and they got me for about $200, same as you pretty much.

After that first one, the next 500 have been free from my shop(s).

Good luck....

 

Indy's that are approved inspectors for a region/club often won't charge for inspections as a courtesy. Especially for regular customers, and for others as a way to entice possible future customers.

 

My dealer does them at no charge, Monmouth Penske. Also +1 for BodyMotion.

 

I've never paid for a tech inspection. I guess I'm fortunate that there are several great independent shops that support racers locally, and volunteers that help at the track. If I had to pay $200 to get a tech inspection every race weekend I'd look for another club. The volunteer/complementary tech inspections are pretty simple and focus on all of the common safety and reliability issues, no service is included.

 

OP here. Crap. They saw me coming. Total bill was $400 for the inspection and brake flush. That being said, I'm outing them:

Porsche Warrington

This is my first (and now last) Porsche purchased there and serviced there regularly. I'm in the market for a Taycan 4S for a daily and a Macan S for the wife in the next 6 months. Guess where I won't be dropping that $200k. Provost is local to my workplace. I'll head there next time. Thanks for the useful (but slightly embarrassing, I'm usually a smart consumer) replies.

 

I think the first time I scheduled inspection with the dealer they indicated around $300 for the brake flush. I hadn’t done it since I’d owned the car so I did it myself before the inspection. Showed them the receipt for the fluid. No charge for the inspection.

 

I do remember meeting a young guy at his first de and he had taken his car to larchmont porsche. They hit him with a $4k bill for all new brakes and I think lcas.

 

🐕 pile on the 🐇

Sweet......