Annual inspections

Scottio57

Scottio57

Senior Member
I have seen some post about annual vehicle inspections. Here in California we do not have annual inspections. Only bi-annual smog test for vehicles 1976 and newer. These test are done at privately owned garages that are state certified to test. People can ,and do, bring in real junk cars and as long as they pass smog test they're good to go. I was wondering what do these inspections consist of. What do they look for and how much does it cost. Are these inspections state mandated or county?
 
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Inspections vary by state. In Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, they check all the lights, the brakes, the steering components, exhaust system, and and rust through. Here in Connecticut inspections have been eliminated except for repaired cars that were previously a total loss wreck.
 
1931 flamingo said:
I believe they ck braking, lights, wipers, tire tread, etc.
Paul in CT
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That's a good one Paul. I don't ever see them checking much for $35 in Ma. As if a person owning an antique car would have bald tires and no brakes. Doesn't make sense to me to drive 2 miles to the inspection station, wait in line and drive back home for a manditory state inspection and I hear they are bumping the price up next year and adding cameras to witness the inspections. Just a moneymaker for the state and garages. I agree it is useful for cars from 5 to 15 years old used for everyday transportation.
 
I am active with the Historic Automobile Society of Canada, aka HASC. We do an annual inspection for our club's cars to insure a safe driving season. As stated above, we check brakes, lights, wipers......plus a fire extinguisher. Our club functions are insured, and this helps with a lower annual premium.
Another set of eyes looking at safety features, is not a bad thing. We enjoy alot of driving tours, and want to know that the guy following you can stop.
 
In Febuary 2016 the State of New Jersey eliminated any inspection requirements for vehicles 20 years or older ,with the reason being that after Obama's infamous "Cash for Clunkers" program, there are not many cars 20+ on the road. Newer vehicles are only required to have emissions checked every two years and no safety inspection at all. This means you can drive a car with failing brakes, broken lights, bald tires, leaky/lethal exhaust, as long as the emissions are clean they will pass you, but you are subject to getting stopped by police for any safety defects
 
Mikeinnj said:
In Febuary 2016 the State of New Jersey eliminated any inspection requirements for vehicles 20 years or older ,with the reason being that after Obama's infamous "Cash for Clunkers" program, there are not many cars 20+ on the road. Newer vehicles are only required to have emissions checked every two years and no safety inspection at all. This means you can drive a car with failing brakes, broken lights, bald tires, leaky/lethal exhaust, as long as the emissions are clean they will pass you, but you are subject to getting stopped by police for any safety defects
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That seems more reasonable than Massachusetts, we are required to get an annual inspection no matter how old or even registered as an antique. I only drove my coupe 180 miles since the last inspection a year ago so it is hardly everyday transportation.
 
Right now in Utah it depends on the age of the car. Cars that are less than two years old do not require a safety or emissions inspection. After two years they are inspected every other year. After six or seven years they are required every year. 1967 and older do not require inspection.

Next year however, safety inspections will no longer be required but emissions will still be. I guess law makers figure that it is not okay to pollute the air, but it is okay to cause a wreck and possibly kill someone with a poorly maintained vehicle.

Some things checked are: mileage, proper window tint, cracked or broken windows, mirrors, ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, exhaust, brakes, wipers, horn, lights, signals, tires etc.

Cost is $15-$20 for safety, emissions vary per location but average about $25-$35. It is state mandated but each county has different restrictions, ie rural counties usually do not require emissions.

Vehicles registered as antique do not require inspections.

One of these days I would like to take the Model A in and see how well they can perform an inspection on it. I'm also curious as to what the emissions results would be.
 
In Mass.they charge $35 for the emission / safety inspection or $35 for the safety inspection alone. On safety they check lighting (all lights must work), horn, windshield wipers and washers, jack up the front end suspension, exhaust, license plate condition, body rust perforation ,brakes and tires. No exemption for antique cars. I think they are trying to discourage us from driving.
 
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