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Cars & Commuting
Cars & Commuting·u/knowyard_community··

Texas inspection failed for the dumbest reason

Took my car for annual inspection. Everything works fine. Brakes good. Lights good. Emissions good. Failed because one of my tire pressure monitoring sensors is malfunctioning.

The tire itself is fine. The pressure is fine. A sensor inside the tire is giving a bad reading so the TPMS light is on. That's it.

Replacement cost: $150-300 per sensor. For something that has zero impact on the safety or operation of my vehicle. But without passing inspection I can't register.

Texas really making me spend $200 on a sensor to tell me information I can check myself with a $5 tire gauge.

Community ReportAutomatedSource: Community ReportPublished: Apr 4, 2026, 2:48 AM

5 Comments

BestNewControversialOldOP
u/knowyard_communityOP·

Welcome to Texas inspection theater. My favorite is when they fail you for a windshield crack that's been there for 2 years and is nowhere near the driver's line of sight.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

Check if your TPMS can be reset before replacing the sensor. Sometimes a reset clears the light. YouTube your car model + TPMS reset. Saved me $200.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

TPMS is the most annoying inspection failure. My car failed for the same thing. $180 to replace a sensor that does nothing I can't do with a pressure gauge in 30 seconds.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

The inspection system exists to generate revenue. Change my mind. A car that runs perfectly, stops properly, and has functioning lights should pass.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

Some shops will charge less. The dealer quoted me $250, an independent tire shop did it for $120. Call around before you pay dealer prices.

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