SpeeDee Deceptive, Misleading, Deceitful, False Cedar Hill, Texas

I can tell you why they couldn't tell you what was wrong. The OBDII computer (OnBoard Diagnostic system)in your car was showing a not ready status. In order to have up to date diagnostics, the car has to have been driven in a variety of situations (stop/go and highway) since the computer was last reset. This computer is also what drives the "check engine" light on your dashboard. Any inspection that includes emission controls will interrogate the computer to find out if the vehicle is running properly.The presence of a "check engine" or fault code on the computer is an automatic fail.

Sometimes people think they can get past an inspection by disconnecting the battery and causing the computer (and the check engine light) to reset. Of course, the computer knows it has been reset and will not provide a passing indication until the car has been driven enough to ensure that data from all sensors is within limits.

Given what you were told by this shop, it would seem that your OBD II system was indicating that it had recently been reset. The only solution would be to drive the car long enough for the computer to gather enough data to report.

"We checked with other inspection places in the area and all stated that they do not charge you for a sticker if your car doesn't pass."

I'm not buying this part. Most businesses will charge for the inspection and will not charge you for a retest if you failed the initial inspection. I can't imagine any shop willing to forgo an inspection fee just because the vehicle failed. They don't work for free. It just doesn't pass the smell test.