Are breakpads removed during state inspection?

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! State inspectors usually don’t remove brake pads during an inspection—they check pad thickness visually through the caliper. So, unless they pulled a magic trick, the pads should have stayed put. However, if you're hearing grinding now, it could be a coincidence, but there's also a chance something got jostled during the inspection or tire work. A misaligned pad or a caliper that’s sticking can definitely cause that scratchy symphony you're hearing now. I'd get it checked ASAP to avoid further rotor damage. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554!