Massachusetts vehicle inspections what would you do? (apartment, condo)

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

The problem isn't so much that the after-market cat will fail, it's more about will the "check engine" light clear or will it pop a sensor code. If you can't get the light to clear you're screwed. I know a mechanic in VT who told me that Subaru's are known for check engine light issues in later life.

ya numerous things have caused my check engine light on. i thought there were major problems when mechanics told me it was minor.

i was told by an inspection station that if in January if my check light is on it can still pass because an emissions test is not needed. though I hear different things from different people.

one station recommended me to get it rejected and said oh in January you will be all set when another station said no what ever you don't get it inspected if it will fail because in January you will have to fix the problem. if you get that rejected sticker then in January you will have to take emissions but if not you don't.

it might be if my check engine is on even if I don't have to do emissions it might fail.

A car cannot pass a Massachusetts inspection (if it is less than fifteen years old) if the readiness monitors are not set or if the Check Engine Light is on.

the key words here are if its less than fifteen years old. https://www.greenfieldautospecialist...nd-advice.html

[Williepaws]

I have a 2008 truck with the engine light on and due for insp next month. Get your mechanic to try to turn off that light and see if it will stay off during the insp. I was also told that sometimes if you have less than a quarter of a tank, that can help too, OR if you fill it right before the test! LOL. Sometimes they can get around it. well worth trying since there is no emission testing after this, only a safety insp.

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by Williepaws

I have a 2008 truck with the engine light on and due for insp next month. Get your mechanic to try to turn off that light and see if it will stay off during the insp. I was also told that sometimes if you have less than a quarter of a tank, that can help too, OR if you fill it right before the test! LOL. Sometimes they can get around it. well worth trying since there is no emission testing after this, only a safety insp.

here is the thing you are right in January you will not need to do emissions but if you fail this year it flags the state meaning next year you will still have to do emissions test versus waiting and not doing one this year. if you fail this year you are screwed versus waiting 6 months. its called playing the system. i talked to two places that said do not fail this year or next year or later you will need to fix problem versus not needing to fix problem waiting 6 months.

[robr2]

The simple thing to do is:

take your car for inspection
have it fail for emissions
get a new sticker with a black R in it - red is for safety failure
drive around on said sticker and wait until next year.

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by robr2

The simple thing to do is:

take your car for inspection
have it fail for emissions
get a new sticker with a black R in it - red is for safety failure
drive around on said sticker and wait until next year.

bad idea now I need to get a dealership catalytic converter that is over 3 thousand. versus waiting 6 months extending the life of my car and not paying a penny. i heard from a couple of places if I fail this year I have to fix the problem versus the problem goes away if I wait 6 months .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36bgs5ItdTc

[bostongymjunkie]

You have 60 days to pass the emissions so the reject sticker will be good only for that time. You could also apply for a hardship waiver but that will require spending some money to attempt repairs but probably nowhere near the cost of a new converter.

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

You have 60 days to pass the emissions so the reject sticker will be good only for that time. You could also apply for a hardship waiver but that will require spending some money to attempt repairs but probably nowhere near the cost of a new converter.

someone gave me a link to Subaru experts.

he said some aftermarket converters can pass and that I am getting bad advice.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/thread...ssions.545096/

how long is a hardship waiver? i can spend money just not 3000 .

what some are not seeing is if I wait until January it sucks but the problem goes away even if my check engine is on. the Subaru forum said there is a way I can pass. they own and are experts in subaru.

[CaseyB]

Any chance you could get a used one from a wrecked subaru?

The Registry now has a way of determining if you have had your car inspected, some program. My car's sticker expired this past February and I couldn't get an appointment the last week and I was due to leave for my vacation house on March 1st. I locked it in the garage, left and figured I would deal with the sticker when I got back in May. In April, I got a letter from the DMV asking for me to provide the reason the car wasn't inspected yet. Explanations to choose from included "You no longer own the car" or "You moved" or "The car is currently out of state". None of them applied to me so I didn't respond and got the sticker when I returned home in May.

I don't know how long you'll get away with it because eventually they'll cancel your plates.

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Any chance you could get a used one from a wrecked subaru?

The Registry now has a way of determining if you have had your car inspected, some program. My car's sticker expired this past February and I couldn't get an appointment the last week and I was due to leave for my vacation house on March 1st. I locked it in the garage, left and figured I would deal with the sticker when I got back in May. In April, I got a letter from the DMV asking for me to provide the reason the car wasn't inspected yet. Explanations to choose from included "You no longer own the car" or "You moved" or "The car is currently out of state". None of them applied to me so I didn't respond and got the sticker when I returned home in May.

I don't know how long you'll get away with it because eventually they'll cancel your plates.

well here is something I did not think of.

if you don't renew they cancel your plates. i want to swear so bad right now. they think of everything knowing people will wait until they are exempt what terrible state.

it needs to be the right converter.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by justyouraveragetenant

someone gave me a link to Subaru experts.

he said some aftermarket converters can pass and that I am getting bad advice.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/thread...ssions.545096/

how long is a hardship waiver? i can spend money just not 3000 .

what some are not seeing is if I wait until January it sucks but the problem goes away even if my check engine is on. the Subaru forum said there is a way I can pass. they own and are experts in subaru.

$680 if the car is 10 years or older.

https://www.dmv.com/ma/massachusetts...gn=organic_dmv


https://www.mavehiclecheck.com/motorists-testresults