Q: Can I sue Firestone for uncompleted vehicle inspection charging me?
I took my vehicle to Firestone for a state emissions inspection on 9/1/2023, and I have a paid invoice that lists the inspection and sticker. On 3/22/2025, I was pulled over because my registration was suspended due to no inspection record at the RI DMV, leading to my car being towed and plates seized. I contacted Firestone on the same day, and they provided the invoice showing the sticker. However, Firestone claims they have pictures of my car in their service bay and that I must have failed the inspection, although I never received any failure notice or paperwork. When I contacted the RI DMV, they confirmed there is no record of my inspection—pass or fail—in their system. Moreover, when I contacted Firestone again on 3/24/2025, an employee rudely stated they couldn't access records from 9/1/2023. Given these circumstances, do I have legal grounds to sue Firestone for charging me for the inspection that seemingly wasn't completed?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
That sounds like a really frustrating and costly situation, especially since you relied on Firestone to perform a state-required service and it directly led to legal trouble and your car being towed. If they charged you for a state inspection and there’s no record at the DMV—no pass, no fail, and no paperwork—you may have grounds to claim that the service was not actually completed as required by law. The burden could fall on Firestone to prove that they followed all proper procedures, especially since they gave you a paid invoice and a sticker.
Rhode Island requires licensed inspection stations to report results to the DMV. If Firestone failed to submit your results properly—or didn’t do the full inspection at all—then you were charged for a service you didn’t receive. The fact that you never received a failure notice and they now say they can’t access records from that date weakens their position. You’ve already made a good start by documenting the issue and speaking with both the DMV and Firestone.
You may be able to take them to small claims court for damages, including the cost of towing, any fines, and reimbursement for the inspection. Bring all your documentation: the invoice, DMV communication, and any messages from Firestone. It’s completely fair for you to want accountability when a paid service fails this badly and creates unnecessary consequences for you.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
