Vehicle inspection is an important part of ensuring road safety, maintaining vehicle performance, and promoting environmental protection. Therefore, it has always been a focus of attention for car owners. But did you know that the vehicle inspection process in the United States has very unique regulations and procedures, and even varies from state to state?

In this article, we will uncover the mystery of vehicle inspection in the United States and provide some practical tips to help you easily pass the inspection.

The truth about annual vehicle inspections in the United States

1.Do cars need annual inspections?

Unlike other countries, there is no uniform standard for annual vehicle inspections in the United States. It is determined by each state. There are mainly the following situations:

States that do not require inspections, such as Alaska, Michigan, South Carolina, etc., do not require inspections at all.

States that only require safety inspections, such as Texas (in some areas), Missouri, etc., only inspect the safety performance of vehicles.

States that only require emissions testing, such as Arizona, Colorado, etc., mainly target tailpipe emissions.

States that require both safety and emissions inspections, such as California, New York, Pennsylvania, etc., require both inspections.

2.What does an annual inspection include?

The content of annual vehicle inspections in different states of the United States may vary, but usually cover the following aspects:

a. Safety inspection: including the frame, front end, tires, wheel fasteners, fuel lines, brakes, chassis, horn, headlights, mirrors, seat belts, steering, suspension, windshield and other glass, as well as windshield wipers and blades. These inspections are designed to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive on the road.

b. Emission inspection: Usually, the on-board diagnostic system (OBD-II), vehicle model, engine light, air injection system (AIS), catalytic converter (CAT), exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR), evaporative emission control (EVAP), fuel inlet restrictor (FIR), crankcase ventilation system (PCV), and thermostatic air cleaner (TAC) are checked. These tests typically use emission testing equipment to measure the vehicle's tailpipe emissions to ensure compliance with local emission standards.

c. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection: Ensure that the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the Car Registration to confirm the vehicle's identity and legality.

d. Other inspections: Depending on local regulations, some areas may include other items in the annual inspection, such as window transparency, vehicle noise levels, tire tread depth, etc.

3.How much does an annual inspection cost?

The cost of an annual inspection of a car in the United States generally ranges from $20 to $150, but it varies depending on the state, county, and inspection agency. If the vehicle fails the inspection, repairs will be needed to fix the issues and a re-inspection may result in additional costs.

4.What are the consequences of failing an annual inspection?

Fines: Failure to have an annual inspection on time may result in fines.

Invalid license plates: Vehicles that fail the annual inspection may not be able to renew their license plates.

Prohibition from driving: Some states may prohibit vehicles that fail the annual inspection from being driven on the road.

US Car Inspection Process

1.Preparation before inspection

a. Document preparation

Vehicle Registration Certificate, proof of car insurance, driver's license, other documents such as vehicle history inspection report, repair certificate, compliance certificate for specific equipment or modified parts installed on the vehicle, etc.

b. Exterior inspectionThe vehicle should be kept clean, and the body should not have obvious dirt or rust. If there are scratches, dents, or modifications on the body, make sure they comply with local regulations. Non-compliant modifications may need to be restored to their original state before inspection. The license plate should be clearly visible without damage or obstruction.

c. Performance checkLighting system: headlights, turn signals, brake lights, fog lights, etc. should all work properly, and the brightness and illumination range should meet the requirements. Damaged or non-functional light bulbs should be replaced in a timely manner.

Braking system: brake pads, brake oil, brake pipes, etc. should all be checked. The wear of the brake pads should be within the normal range, the brake oil level and quality should be qualified, and the brake pipes should not leak.

Tires: the wear of the tires should not exceed the limit, and the tread depth should meet the standard. Different states may have specific requirements for tread depth values.

2.The process of annual vehicle inspection

How to easily deal with annual vehicle inspections?

Annual vehicle inspections are not only a comprehensive check of the safety performance of the vehicle, but also a test of the daily maintenance of the owner. Therefore, if you want to pass the inspection easily, the key is to discover and deal with any vehicle faults before the inspection, and keep the vehicle in a healthy condition.

Based on this, here are some measures to help you easily deal with annual vehicle inspections:

1.Use diagnostic tools for self-checking

Nowadays, automotive diagnostic tools are no longer exclusive to professional technicians or repair shops. Excellent diagnostic tools on the market can be easily used by ordinary car owners. During testing, simply plug it into the vehicle's OBD interface, and the diagnostic equipment can actively read the vehicle's fault codes, quickly and accurately identifying faults, and even repairing some faults without having to go to a repair shop, saving time and money.

Here are some recommended excellent diagnostic devices that you can choose according to your needs.

For ordinary car owners: MUCAR DRIVERSCAN - a cost-effective diagnostic assistant.

 

Although the price of MUCAR DRIVERSCAN is as low as around $40, it supports complete OBD2 diagnostic functions (lifetime free updates) and 15 maintenance functions. In comparison, some similar devices on the market only support 6 maintenance functions, but the price is close to $60. MUCAR DRIVERSCAN has a significant cost advantage.

At the same time, its compatibility is also extremely strong, supporting more than 140 brands and thousands of models, covering American, European, and Japanese and Korean vehicles. Car owners do not need to worry about the compatibility of their car models. They can diagnose their cars anytime and anywhere, easily solve daily minor problems, and save time and effort.

DIY car owners and professional technicians: THINKSCAN 689/689BT, MUCAR VO8 - powerful tools for professional diagnostics.

 

DIY enthusiasts and professional technicians prefer devices such as THINKSCAN 689/689BT and MUCAR VO8, which have stronger hardware configurations and more comprehensive functions. They support more than 34 professional reset services, meeting various needs from daily inspections to complex repairs.

Although the price of THINKSCAN 689/689BT and MUCAR VO8 is around five to six hundred US dollars, all functions are free for lifetime updates after purchase, without any additional payment. In contrast, other similar devices often require payment of twenty to thirty US dollars for a single function, or an additional subscription fee of around 300 US dollars per year, resulting in higher long-term usage costs.

2.Seek help from professionals

In addition to using diagnostic tools for self-inspection, seeking help from a professional auto repair shop or technician is also a good choice to ensure that the vehicle is in the best condition before the annual inspection.

Summary

Although the vehicle inspection system in the United States varies by state, it is not difficult to pass efficiently as long as you prepare in advance and maintain your vehicle regularly. As long as you regularly check the vehicle's performance, maintain good driving habits, and prepare adequately before the inspection, you can easily pass!

Of course, the inspection is not only for the vehicle, but also for your driving safety. I hope these tips can help you pass the inspection smoothly and keep your car in the best condition at all times!