The annual car inspection here in NSW did get out of control a few years ago when cars were knocked back for trivial things like a bit of surface rust in the corner of the door. Surprisingly they woke up to it and now it's far more reasonable with checking things that really do count from a safety perspective.
Have a look at my 1926 Model T Ford to give an idea of what I'm talking about
http://www.users.bigpond.com/cool386/geelong3.jpg Looks like a wreck doesn't it? But it's safe to drive, so it passed rego check.
Now, as to the thought police inspecting the electrical system of my house and what I run off it, no thanks! Just as well as I've hoarded away a lifetime supply of incandescent bulbs...including some big 300 and 500W ones I use in my garage and roof.
And if I wish to use antiquated fittings I should be able to...it doesn't affect anyone outside of MY house. Funny how political correctness would be happy for me to have a split system air con, provided it met such and such energy star rating. Yet, if I don't have the air con but there's a few incadescent bulbs turned on (which add up to way less than 2.4KW) then I'm being bad to the environment! Apparently you can have as many appliances as you like running, provided they are politically correct...despite the fact that a lesser amount of older appliances and incandescent bulbs would use less.
I'm still wondering how the thought police are going to see that all homes have now been fitted with smoke alarms.
