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Q. When do I need to take an emissions test?
A.
Every 2 years to renew your license tabs, or whenever the car
changes ownership or registration.
Q. My check engine light is on. Should I take the test, or have
it repaired first?
A.
Take the test first. That way, when you fail the test, the
money spent on repairing the check engine light can apply toward
the $150 waiver. If you fix the check engine light before
taking the test and then fail the test for a separate reason
(such as a bad oxygen sensor or fuel problem), the money you
spent before the test will not apply toward the waiver.
Although you will fail the first test if the check engine light
is on, you will save money in the long run by waiting until
after the test to repair the
problem.
Q. Do I need to bring the emissions form in when I have my car
repaired?
A.
Yes. When we fix your emissions problem, we need to sign off on
the original form in order for it to be valid.
Q. The form says exactly where I failed. Why do you have to
spend time with diagnosis?
A.
While the form says the category in which your car failed
the test, it doesn’t tell the exact problem that caused it to
fail. There are several different areas of your car that can
cause it to fail in a given category. Therefore, we have to
spend time assessing all the potential causes of the emission
failure before we can proceed with any repairs.
Q. How do I get a waiver to pass the emissions test?
A.
When you fail an emissions test, the testing center will not
require you to pass the test again if you put $150 toward the
repair of the emission problem. However, that $150 does have to
create some improvement in the readings in order for the waiver
to be valid. If you spend $150, and it doesn’t improve your
readings, then you’re out of luck. You’ll need to spend enough
money on repairs that will, at least marginally, improve the
vehicle’s readings. How the
Waiver Process Works.
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