Going to the web site and checking wait time is good advise. I did so in January, left downtown at 12:15, was pack home at 1:00, inspected with a new sticker, it was a breeze.

I got my car inspected in Secaucus in October on a Saturday morning. Breezed through in 15 minutes with no issue. There were maybe 4 cars ahead of me and I got in and out with no problem.

The car inspection facility in Secaucus runs smoothly, with very short waits. The last time I did it, almost two years ago, was a weekday, in the early afternoon (~ 2:00 PM) and I was in and out in less than 30 minutes, including the inspection itself. The staff was professional and courteous. In fact, my entire experience with the NJ DMV over the past 2 years has been nothing short of pleasant. I think the state government must have made a concerted effort to improve what used to be one of the worst government agencies. The JC office over by JSQ is always clean and organized, and the staff has always been nice and pleasant.

Secondly, please be aware that state vehicular inspections are mandated to be done EVERY TWO YEARS. Not four, as stated by Heights. New cars get a five year inspection, after which they then have to be inspected every two years.

Here are state inspection regulations, and other related information:
NJ MVC Vehicle Inspections Website

Lastly, here is an example of how technology, when implemented right, can lead to much better government service: you can now look up average wait times at any inspection facility online!
NJ MVC Inspection Facility Wait Queue Time/Camera

I think you should be fine no matter when you go the process has been smoother in the past few years. If you go on a weekday about a half hour before they close you should be out of there within 15 minutes. I would go to the NJ MVC then to a private facility it's free plus at least you know it's done right. I think the MVC checks only the exhaust systems, it's every 4 years till the next inspection so it is a fairly painless experience.

I went about 2 weeks ago 8:30 AM o a weekday, about a 15 minute wait.

I need to get my car inspected. How bad / long a wait is it to do it at the NJ inspection station on a weekday? (I'm pretty sure the weekend is bedlam.)

Or, is there a place in JC where I can do it privately and yet not have them tell me I have to get a lot of repairs I don't need? I'm willing to pay if it eliminates some hassle.

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I will agree with brewster on the Secaucus facility. In 40 years of inspections I've never had a problem there ot JC (now closed). Last year for the first time while getting repairs I did have an inspection done at A One Autoworks at 184 Bay St. Their # is 201-533-0300. I was satisfied but would normally use the free option in Secaucus.

State facility at Secaucus Rd & County Ave. Free. Never had a significant wait.
View Larger Map

Hello,

I live in Paulus Hook and was wondering where downtown residents take their cars for state inspection. When I first moved here, I used a shop down around 6th and Newark, I think. That's a significant walk after dropping off/picking up, though. I called Sears Auto Center and Pep Boys down by the mall and neither do it. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

In case you don't know, NJ has state run inspection stations that are free.
A private service station with a license to issue stickers will charge. Probably $50 - $75 IIRC.

I would think that if you are willing to pay that, it would be with the expectation that a private place would be more lenient.

In which case, you wouldn't want an "honest" place.

If you do need work done, they may throw the inspection in for free. If this is the case, I recommend Summit Auto.

I take my car to Duke's or Summit. Both have always done right by me. Summit did my inspection:
475 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ‎ - (201) 659-5872
(It's off Newark right past the cemetery).

Duke's is on second off Marin. Not sure abut inspections.
(201) 798-3704

you can find out what the wait time is at the secaucus facility too at: http://njcam.appsolgrp.com/waitqueue/jsp/home.jsp
there's a number too 1-888-656-6867
if u don't what to do this, the guys at summit auto on pavonia and chestnut up newark ave seem pretty reputable. there always busy but think they do inspections fairly quickly. 201) 659-5872. i think i costs $30 or something like that while the secaucus facility is free.

Hi. I need to get my car inspected tomorrow and was looking for a recommendation for a good place to get the inspection done at. Is there a good, honest, reputable car repair place in JC somewhere?

+1 for Secaucus.

Usually, there are long waits on the day or two leading up to the first of every month (esp. that Saturday). Avoid those and you'll be in and out in 10 min.

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I second this motion!

CK

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You do pay for it, your state tax dollars and MV car & license fees pay the salaries & maintenance of the facility.

I know everything works fine on the truck, the only thing is that it has a bent axle that we just found out about. I guess it happened before we bought it. Anyway, we just had the breaks done and since the axle is broken the breaks are wearing uneavenly and it makes a squeek when we are driving, kind of like a rubbing sound. The mechanic said it is fine and we are going to replace the axle when we can get a used one, but I am wondering if that would cause it to fail?

My husband took it to Secaucus and since he only had his temporary insurance card they said he would fail just for that. Now we have the perm ones so I guess we will go back again and see what happens.

Thanks for everyone's quick responses!

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Yeah, I was wondering why they were shaking the hell out of my truck. To see if something would shake loose and fall off? The workers there aren't exactly people friendly so I didn't ask. I finally decided it was to test the shocks.

I can tell you a little about this. When I had my vehicle inspected in Seattle they just hooked it up to the machine to see if it passed the smog test. Here they got me for a broken tail light lens, a bad front turn signal bulb, a missing break pedal pad and a check engine light. They all needed to be fixed so I wasn't upset but just be ready for a thorough inspection.

I agree with going to the state run vehicle inspection site on Secaucus Rd. and County Ave. in Secaucus. Why pay when you can get it for free?

Yes Seacucus is the best and the fastest. Now I'm not sure but they do look and test many things while the car goes through - I'm not really certain about all the tests and such. At one point they put the car on these 'feet things' and shake the car about - I hope that your car passes on everything. But if it should fail you just have the issue fixed and go back and get a pass sticker - not a big issue. Best of luck!

I took my car in last week to get inspected. I usually go to the Secaucus one but had an errand in Newark...so I went there.

It took under 10 minutes whereas at the Secaucus one it was always a long wait. So, I was very happy and would go to the Newark one again.

Go to the DMV in Secaucus on your lunch break. I went during the day and I was the only one there!

I always go to the DMV inspection place on County Rd. in Secaucus. It's only a 10 minute drive and best of all it's free.

Hi,

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a car inspection place? I live in the heights but any place that someone can recommend. I am being honest here. We have an old car, but everything works on it. I know it will pass emissions brakes, all the usual stuff, but we are originally from NYC so we aren't sure what kind of stuff they knit pick about in NJ. Thanks for any suggestions.