The incentive to do a good job is dual. 1: The very first thing the inspecting mechanic does is remove your tag. If they find a fault, they get first dibs on s

The incentive to do a good job is dual. 1: The very first thing the inspecting mechanic does is remove your tag. If they find a fault, they get first dibs on selling you the repair. (yes, you can get a temporary pass) The VA inspection fee, at least through the early 2000s, was minimal. I always assumed that shops did the inspection as a loss-leader, with the profit on the needed repairs. 2: I suspect that if they are found to be passing cars that should not, there is government/administrative hell to pay. (Also, after leaving Virginia, it blew my mind that other states didn't inspect. It is nice to know that every car on the road has at least one brake with enough brake-pad left to come to a halt.)