'Like Come On Meineke': Man Goes To Meineke For Car Inspection. 5 Hours Later, He’s Still There

How long you spend at the mechanic depends on what your car needs. In some cases, you can expect to leave your car at the mechanic for days.

For example, if your car requires a lot of work, like an engine rebuild or significant body work, you shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t see it again for a fairly long time. Other times, one can expect to walk into the shop, get a diagnosis, and have it fixed in just a few hours.

Occasionally, however, the amount of time you spend at the mechanic has little to do with what needs to be done to the car. Instead, it’s just how much time the mechanic is taking to perform the job.

One TikToker learned this the hard way. Now, the internet is wondering: How long is too long to spend at the mechanic?

What Happened At This Meineke?

In a TikTok video, Mel (@melly12110) shows himself waiting at a Meineke location.

“POV you been here since 1:30 pm for a car inspection and it's 6:19 pm and still not done and your phone is on 5[%],” Mel writes in the text overlaying the video. In the caption, he tags the company, writing, “like come on @Meineke Car Care.”

If Mel’s recollection of his timing is correct, this means he spent almost five hours waiting for his car inspection to be done.

How Long Do Car Inspections Take?

Waiting five hours for a simple car inspection seems like a long time. According to Meineke, inspections should take significantly less time. The website claims that the company’s “EInspection” process typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what’s being reviewed.

That said, the company notes that some inspections can take longer. For example, inspections that require diagnostics may take more time.

There are other reasons why a car inspection may take longer than you might expect. If you show up without an appointment, there may be other cars ahead in the queue, so you will have to wait until they are serviced before your car is serviced. On a busy day, this can mean waiting for multiple hours.

Not only that, but some states require that vehicle inspections be performed by certified inspectors. If a repair shop only has one certified inspector, a customer may have to wait for that inspector to be available. Depending on availability, this process could take hours.

Finally, it’s important to note that “car inspection” can mean many different things. A state safety or emissions inspection can be a quick, in-and-out procedure. Other, more comprehensive inspections—such as a pre-purchase inspection or an inspection with a considerable amount of diagnostics—will naturally take longer. During this time, a technician may scan systems, look for leaks, check the suspension, inspect components, or even road-test the vehicle.

How Can I Prepare My Car For Inspection?

One way to ensure your car inspection goes smoothly is to make the necessary preparations.

In a comment, Mel says he went to his local Meineke simply because it was the place “around the corner.” While there’s nothing wrong with going to your local mechanic, just showing up means that you may end up waiting longer.

Instead, it’s best to call or book an appointment online. That way, you can minimize your wait time upon arrival, as the shop will likely already be ready for you when you arrive.

After you’ve booked your appointment, take a look at your car and see if there are any obvious issues that you can note for the mechanic or repair yourself. Examine the windshield, wipers, horn, mirrors, and defroster, and ensure that they are all in proper working order. You should also make sure there are no warning lights on the dashboard.

Next, take a look at your tires. There should be adequate tread, and there should be no obvious bulges, cracks, exposed cords, or uneven wear.

After that, you can visually inspect your car for leaks. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid problems are not always pass/fail issues by themselves, but any issues with them may further delay your inspection or require a repair.

Finally, make sure that you have all of the right paperwork with you. Generally, this includes your registration, proof of insurance, a form of payment, and any prior inspection paperwork. 

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Once all of this is done, your car will be ready for an inspection that should (hopefully) take less than five hours.

We’ve reached out to Mel via email and TikTok direct message, and Meineke via Driven Brands media contact email. We will update this piece pending their responses.

 

 

 

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