I know a lot of us ‘96 and later owners have struggled with check engine lights and passing emissions inspections. I haven’t seen much discussion but it looks like we got a break.
Emissions inspection change in NC (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SeanLX
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So does this new 20 + year old law supercede and/or negate the county emissions inspection required in the big polluter counties like Mecklenberg, Union, Durham, etc...?
Reason I ask is, I got my '96 inspected in Union last month and was told by the station that only a Safety Inspection was required.
I paid the reg, taxes etc... on their PayIt app and was awaiting a registration and sticker.
Fast forward a few weeks and now DMV put an Inspection Stop on my vehicle and is saying that in order to get my reg sticker, they'll refund my $ and I need to get another inspection, safety & emissions even though its over 20 years old.
Then pay them again and wait 3-4 weeks for my original refund.
Seems pretty convoluted and the inspection shop swears that emissions are not required required regardless of county if vehicle is 20 years or older.
Has anyone else experienced the same issue?
Reason I ask is, I got my '96 inspected in Union last month and was told by the station that only a Safety Inspection was required.
I paid the reg, taxes etc... on their PayIt app and was awaiting a registration and sticker.
Fast forward a few weeks and now DMV put an Inspection Stop on my vehicle and is saying that in order to get my reg sticker, they'll refund my $ and I need to get another inspection, safety & emissions even though its over 20 years old.
Then pay them again and wait 3-4 weeks for my original refund.
Seems pretty convoluted and the inspection shop swears that emissions are not required required regardless of county if vehicle is 20 years or older.
Has anyone else experienced the same issue?
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forrest5000
SILVER Star
I will find out soon, have to get both the 73 and lx inspected .
Looks right...
"3) (Contingent effective date – see note) It is (i) a vehicle with a model year
within 20 years of the current year and older than the three most recent model
years or (ii) a vehicle with a model year within 20 years of the current year
and has 70,000 miles or more on its odometer."
"3) (Contingent effective date – see note) It is (i) a vehicle with a model year
within 20 years of the current year and older than the three most recent model
years or (ii) a vehicle with a model year within 20 years of the current year
and has 70,000 miles or more on its odometer."
Ghostrider I
I wear many "heads" as I have many vehicles.
Nice. Maybe I should run straight pipes in the FJ80 and the quattro!!
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
What is this inspection thing you speak of? SC 
Ghostrider I
I wear many "heads" as I have many vehicles.
PffffttttWhat is this inspection thing you speak of? SC
You should. The Quattro could shoot flames like the rally cars of old.
What was the date on the original inspection? If it was before the 1st of December it was still under the old law.
Ghostrider I
I wear many "heads" as I have many vehicles.
And amplify the sound of a turbo I5. Wonder how CMPD would react to the flames....You should. The Quattro could shoot flames like the rally cars of old.
Just had my 99 inspected last week, and they charged a $16 fee for safety inspection here in Wake County.
On a semi related note, I received my registrations for my LC, and daughters 06 acura today. It seems the acura went up in value from $5400 last year to $7100 this year. It’s the only vehicle I’ve ever owned that appreciated in value
. I really could care less about the extra $10 in tax, but will be calling the county on this BS!
******Update on the increased tax value of my daughters car. I spoke with Wake County and they use NADA for tax value. It seems I must have made a killer deal at $5400 over a year ago (hah, I think I actually overpaid!), and Wake Co erroneously reset my value from the sales price to the NADA value. Crazy out of whack. Just goes to show you market vs. NADA ain't exactly realistic. Staff person was helpful and depreciated the current value at 10% below my last year's set value.
On a semi related note, I received my registrations for my LC, and daughters 06 acura today. It seems the acura went up in value from $5400 last year to $7100 this year. It’s the only vehicle I’ve ever owned that appreciated in value
. I really could care less about the extra $10 in tax, but will be calling the county on this BS!******Update on the increased tax value of my daughters car. I spoke with Wake County and they use NADA for tax value. It seems I must have made a killer deal at $5400 over a year ago (hah, I think I actually overpaid!), and Wake Co erroneously reset my value from the sales price to the NADA value. Crazy out of whack. Just goes to show you market vs. NADA ain't exactly realistic. Staff person was helpful and depreciated the current value at 10% below my last year's set value.
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It was the 31st of December.
Guess we'll see what happens when I navigate the DMV telephone system tomorrow.
Some PITA thing they do on the North side of the border.What is this inspection thing you speak of? SC
Thanks.
I think a 1996 fits in there. As was the smog station owner opinion based on what he was given from the state.
Guessing someone at DMV didn't read it throughly or that the 22 non-emissions exempt counties rule negates the section 3 that you quoted. At least that's what someone at DMV assumed it to mean.
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So Wake county huh? That was on the DMV list of 22 counties that emissions testing was still in effect for.Just had my 99 inspected last week, and they charged a $16 fee for safety inspection here in Wake County.
On a semi related note, I received my registrations for my LC, and daughters 06 acura today. It seems the acura went up in value from $5400 last year to $7100 this year. It’s the only vehicle I’ve ever owned that appreciated in value
The law exempts all vehicles over 20 even in the 22 counties that have the emissions requirements. That pay it portal is a contracted service that I’ve had issues with in the past, good luck, but I think ultimately you’ll get it straight.
Green Hell Mustang
Designer, Hack Photographer
So, stupid question. What does all this mean for those of us who won't be needing an emissions inspection anymore?
I think its just a lower inspection cost. If you keep your emissions standard, maybe not much else.
