PA State Inspection & Emissions are the bread and butter of any Pennsylvania auto shop, and we’re no exception. Allow our friendly techs to inspect your vehicle so that it stays safe on the road.
About PA State Inspections:
If you live in PA, you should be familiar with those two stickers on the bottom left corner on the windshield. The Stickers signify that the vehicle has passed the Pennsylvania Safety Inspection and Emission Test.
Both PA State Inspection tests are required yearly. I little known fact is that your vehicle must pass the emission test BEFORE we can put the safety sticker on the windshield. Your vehicle may pass all of the safety criteria, but if it will not “go through emissions” then we are not permitted to put the safety sticker on it.
There are a lot of things that happen during the PA state inspection & emissions.
Here’s a breakdown of what is checked by our technicians in a PA State Inspection:
Check Engine Light
Remember when I said that if your car doesn’t pass the emission, then we can’t put the safety sticker on it? If a check engine light is on then your vehicle WILL NOT pass the emission test. The check engine light illuminates because the car is burning fuel inefficiently. Either using too much gas or dumping too many pollutants out the exhaust.
We will need to diagnose the problem with sophisticated scanning equipment. The causes for a check engine light being on are multiple and make take several attempts to correct the problem
Wipers
Wipers need to work and cannot be torn in order to pass the PA State Inspection.
Mirrors
Must have two of the following three mirrors and they cannot be cracked – Rearview, Passenger side view, Driver side view. Replace with new or used mirrors in order to pass the Pennsylvania State Inspection.
Being a body shop as well as a mechanic shop, we are uniquely situated to replace your side view mirrors and do any painting that may be required
Horn
Your horn must work in order to pass the PA State Inspection.
Windows
Your windows need to go up and down. If one or more isn’t working, it’s usually a matter of a regulator, motor, or switch needing to be replaced. Cost varies depending on exactly what is needed to correct the problem
Windshield
Your windshield cannot be cracked in the driver’s line of sight. There is only one fix for a cracked windshield and that is replacing it. We can take of that for you as well!
Headlights, taillights, turn signal, and all other exterior lights
All of your lights must work, even those fog lights that you “never use” must be working. Also, your lights cannot have any cracks in the lenses (the plastic part). Headlight lenses that are clouded to the point that it affects the brightness must either be repaired or replaced. Being a body shop, we can easily repair most clouded lenses with sanding and buffing.
Engine Mounts
Your engine mounts must not be worn or broken. They hold the engine in place under the hood so it doesn’t bounce around and vibrate while drive. If damaged or broken, they must be replaced if you want to pass the PA State Inspection.
Exhaust
Your vehicle cannot have any exhaust leaks to pass the Pennsylvania State Inspection. That means, no holes in the muffler, exhaust pipes, manifold, or catalytic converter. Any leaking exhaust parts will need to be replaced. Also, any fluids leaking on to the exhaust that might cause a fire will need to be repaired as well.
Exhaust Repair in Washington, PA.
Tires
Tire tread needs to be 2/32” or thicker to pass. The only fix for worn tires is to replace them.
Brakes
Brake pad thickness must be 2/32” or thicker to pass. Rotors that are warped, or heavily grooved may also need to be replaced.
Brake Repair in Washington, PA.
Brake lines
Brakes lines will fail if they are leaking or excessively corrosive and will need to be replaced. We will replace the leaking brake lines, but it is usually not necessary to replace all the lines in order to pass the PA State Inspection.
Steering and Suspension
Damage or excessive wear to your car’s steering or suspension represents a serious safety hazard. Looseness of a wheel or hub bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints, links, and rods; cracked or missing rubber/plastic bushings are all VERY serious problems. This goes for worn or leaking axles as well. We will properly diagnose the issues and replace all worn parts.
Struts and Shocks
Leaking or overly worn struts and shocks need to be replaced for the safety inspection
Car Body
Excessive body damage will need to be repaired. There can be no sharp edges that might cause injury. There can be no holes in the body.
Collision Damage Repair in Washington, PA.
Car Frame
The frame or unibody cannot have any holes. This affects the structural integrity of your vehicle. Since we are a body shop and have extensive experience with these types of frame repairs, you have come to the right place!
A word about the PA State Inspection Emissions Test
The emission inspection essentially tests how much pollutants your car is putting out into the environment. Cars have many sophisticated parts and sensors that manage and control how much gas your engine uses and how much junk comes out of your tailpipe! When something is wrong with these parts or sensor the check engine light will come on.
If the check engine light is illuminated, it will fail emission inspection. A diagnostic and repair must be performed and the light must be reset before your car will pass the emission inspection. Resetting the checking engine light after a repair takes some time and requires the car to be driven for at least 25 miles.
If the check engine lightbulb is blown out, your car will fail inspection. The lightbulb will need to be replaced.
You DO NOT have to get a PA state inspection emissions test if:
- Your car is registered in the following counties in PA: Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Bradford, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Wayne and Wyoming.
- If your car is registered in one of these counties, you will only need a safety inspection and you will get one inspection sticker.
- You have driven your car 5,000 miles or less in 365 days since your last emission inspection
- You have new vehicle that has driven less than 5000 miles
Check engine light repairs can be costly depending on the amount of diagnosis that is required and the part that needs to be replaced. So much goes into diagnosing check engine lights, so be patient and be prepared to pay not just for the repair but for the amount of time it took to figure out why you needed the repair.
Request a PA State Inspection Appointment:
Set up an appointment with us for your PA state inspection today! 724-222-3077