As someone who has passed recon on the first try and had full of suspension, lighting, and wheel mods, it is quite simple if you actually go in prepared.

1) It doesn't help when you go in dressed like your pants are on the ground.
2) Be courteous and polite.
3) Don't bull****. These guys has seen almost every mod possible and if you don't be honest, they'll likely just deny you.
4) Get your alignment and necessary paperwork for your suspension.
5) If you have modified sidemarkers, put your stock ones on.
6) The inspectors are basically court judges for cars(in a way), so think that way.
7) See #2

After getting recon, your safety is cakewalk. Think about this, do you really want to go to go to court dressed like a gangster and talking like you are uneducated(OR MOKE STYLE LOL)?

Not saying you dress or talk like this, but this seems like the majority of the people I see coming to file marriage certificates(where I work) and when I was at recon.

 

^^^
Very good advice. After my recon check was completed, the (recon guy) actually started talking to me about the subaru paint colors and how well the modification work in our cars (what a surprise!). They're car guys (or muscle car guys).
Courteous, Respect (their position as Boom said), and Proper Attitude will go a long way.

Btw- Have a well maintained look. Clean car in/out, incl the engine bay won't hurt either.

 

^^^ well put, john. first impressions last.

 

Wow..Im assuming this was back in the Sears days with Blake?!?! So who got recon first between the two of you since you guys had PSM BES? On a side note though, thats a great way of putting it.

 

wont pass recon unless you put a cat back in there.. we dont have smog but they do a visual check

 

^^^ oh crap forgot about that one. weird when i went they never checked for cats. i did put the stock turbo heatshield back on to kinda block the view of the dp, but it doesnt truly hide it.

 

really does sound like a pain the ***

...cat...haven't had one of those since 05...