not much of a scam if you can go get it fixed someplace else and then get a reinspect for free.
Right, except most folks don't to save time. The standard for inspection is supposed to be black and white, but it's not. Something that 'should' be replaced is labeled as 'shall' by another guy.
More than once I've had my wife get a vehicle inspected and they see a woman who clearly doesnt know anything automotive (yes she admits that). All of a sudden all 4 wheel bearings are shot. They feed her the line- 'we gotta fix that right now it's not safe to drive!!'. Skeptical, she called me. I tell her to poliety get that in writing and bring it to our regular mechanic. He finds 1 bearing is bad, definitely not 4. Now, he fixes it, and writes he version of what was found.
I had to go back, have a less than cordial conversation with the $10 shop and remind them of what my mechanic told me: In the event of two conflicting mechanics opinions, I can call the state dot and they inspection and have the final ruling..... At which point an inspection sticker flew up on the windshield.
Sure just one example, but I was alerted to the shinanigans by another friend who's wife was almost fleeced by a different $10 shop. Point being there are many businesses in many trades, that will take your money, even if it's under a false pretense. No not everyone is out to grt you. But you need to be vigilant