Nc Law & Catalytic Converters

[Trevor92]

Must you legally have one, yes.

Will it necessarily be checked, probably not. Most mechanics don't make enough off of a standard state inspection to go through and check every detail, unless its a customer they don't recognize at all and think it could be a test. Will a trooper notice it if you're pulled over, no.

I agree with others in saying that its probably a good idea to have one and a little better for the environment (it really doesn't help there as much as people would like to think, clean filters once a year are far more important). But the small town garage I go over and over again for all my needs from inspections to muffler changes, and also where a family member use to work, didn't put one on my car the last time without even telling me. When I brought it up he said he could go back and put one in for another $200 which I don't have on my current muffler. Whenever I go back for inspections it usually involves nothing more than me walking in with my registration and mileage and walking out with a sticker and scraper.

[Deez Nuttz]

Most mechanics WILL look under to see if you have it. Why? Well unless they know you personally for all they know you could be an undercover inspector (posing as a computer geek that knows nothing about cars) waiting to see if they will do the right thing and not pass your car due to missing emission controls or if they are willing to put their job at stake turning a blind eye to the situation and "giving" you a sticker.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

Most mechanics WILL look under to see if you have it. Why? Well unless they know you personally for all they know you could be an undercover inspector (posing as a computer geek that knows nothing about cars) waiting to see if they will do the right thing and not pass your car due to missing emission controls or if they are willing to put their job at stake turning a blind eye to the situation and "giving" you a sticker.

You can bet on that. I have a friend that works for the DMV and they take their kids, pets, wife with them. Stations do make money on inspections, and having their inspection certification yanked hurts their bottom line. There are also repercursions for the employee that didn't do a proper inspection, which starts with yanking their personal certification to do inspections. I suspect fines are also involved.

[penoutofink]

I live in nc, and most of the mechanics wont look under your car and dont have to anyhow. If its older than 96 they usually dont even care. Weld an empty one of there if its older than a 96 after that it has to the pass odb ii test and all engine lights have to be off for atleast 30 miles before it can pass.

[fideau]

Only vehicles with on-board computers now are emission tested, that means 96 models up. Tailpipe testing went out couple years ago, it didn't work very well. You must still have original equip. though, if they look. Many of them don't bother to look real hard. And stickers are not applied anymore. Insp. is required before your plate is renewed. Insp. stations computer is tied in with DMV. Stick something on it just in case if you can.