Here in Massachusetts...
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:49 pm
We pay $35 a year (good actually, used to be a smaller amount twice a year) to have the car gone over. This is supposed to include emissions, exhaust soundness and noise, suspension looseness, brakes (wheels supposed to be removed), horn, wipers, washers...
In practice, the examination is generally limited to whether the lights work and the emissions are OK. My ancient Corolla has 245,000 miles on the original muffler, so it is understandably noisier than a new one. This perplexed the inspectors, who called in assistance. A foot over the exhaust pipe successfully pressurized the system, and a sticker was mine. I plan to junk the car, which is a handful on rough roads due to completely failed (but not inspected) shock absorbers, as soon as it gets to 250,000 some time this winter. It is otherwise in safe and roadworthy condition.
Matilda (Europa S2) is an antique and thus needs no emissions test. All other features as of date of manufacture do apply. But since the shop owner doesn't fit inside, I get to be the driver. This allows fudging of the emergency brake (which nonetheless does work, an apparent oddity in this car). Suspension, bearing, and service brake condition tests not performed (Gee guys, it's only 38 years old!)
I am thankful that the washer pump is well disguised on the wiper switch, because it usually does not work. Likewise, I was careful to fit a functional replacement for the missing backup light trigger.
Bottom line: There are laws, but your car need not be safe to pass the required inspection. Woe to thee if the emissions are out of spec, though!
UK buyer of U.S. Lotus, beware: If you think a registered U.S. Lotus will pass your MOT based on its active street status, you may be in for some surprises. The MOT is much more stringent than any U.S. inspection of which I am aware.
In practice, the examination is generally limited to whether the lights work and the emissions are OK. My ancient Corolla has 245,000 miles on the original muffler, so it is understandably noisier than a new one. This perplexed the inspectors, who called in assistance. A foot over the exhaust pipe successfully pressurized the system, and a sticker was mine. I plan to junk the car, which is a handful on rough roads due to completely failed (but not inspected) shock absorbers, as soon as it gets to 250,000 some time this winter. It is otherwise in safe and roadworthy condition.
Matilda (Europa S2) is an antique and thus needs no emissions test. All other features as of date of manufacture do apply. But since the shop owner doesn't fit inside, I get to be the driver. This allows fudging of the emergency brake (which nonetheless does work, an apparent oddity in this car). Suspension, bearing, and service brake condition tests not performed (Gee guys, it's only 38 years old!)
I am thankful that the washer pump is well disguised on the wiper switch, because it usually does not work. Likewise, I was careful to fit a functional replacement for the missing backup light trigger.
Bottom line: There are laws, but your car need not be safe to pass the required inspection. Woe to thee if the emissions are out of spec, though!
UK buyer of U.S. Lotus, beware: If you think a registered U.S. Lotus will pass your MOT based on its active street status, you may be in for some surprises. The MOT is much more stringent than any U.S. inspection of which I am aware.