It requires removing at least 2 of the wheels and getting a measurement of thickness on the pads and rotors to determine if it will pass. If your car has a brake light that is not working, it may need to be replaced. Here is a list of the different vehicle tests needed in each US state. Defective "Check Engine" Light This one comes first because it's so simple you might never have considered it. Safety inspections can vary from state to state and the required checks are not always the same. The frequency with which these inspections must be performed varies from state to state, but it is generally every one to two years. If your car doesnt pass an inspection with a brake light on, there are a few things that can happen. This report should include information on any problems that were found and what needs to be done to fix them. If you have noticed any squealing or grinding you may need brakes, have a pre-brake inspection done so there are no surprises when you go to get it inspected. As you might expect, the main focus of a brake and light inspection is on your vehicles brakes and lights. You will need a valid and current vehicle registration, and your keys. I live in Texas and I need to get my car inspected. Another overlooked item is the seat belts, check to see if they work properly and latch. Theyre used to show other drivers that your car has working brakes. However this question raises an issue which is worthy of discussion. Headlights, taillights, hazard lights, brake lights and directional lights are typically included in this inspection, but regulations vary by state. 1 day ago, How Do.you Know if U R Car Had Antilock Brakes, Are Car Owners Still Using Auto Steering Wheel Covers, Are Car Steering Wheels Designs Different Per Company, Are Car Steering Wheels Different for Each Company, Are Car Steering Wheels Different Per Company, Can My Car Pass Inspection If Brake Liggt Is on. When the brakes are applied, the brake lights will illuminate to indicate to other drivers that you are braking. Thats why regular maintenance and check-ups are important. The inspection is designed to ensure that your vehicle's brakes and lights are working properly, which helps to make the roads safer for everyone. The OBD inspection evaluates your vehicle's emissions status via its onboard computer. If you neglect the parts of your vehicle that dont get as much attentionmirrors and light bulbs, for exampletheyll surely attract the attention of your inspection technician. Why? Lights and lenses: all lights and the housing lenses must be functioning properly, have no cracks, and have no moisture buildup within the lenses, 4. Lets start with the basics: A brake and light inspection is an examination of your vehicles braking system and its exterior lights. You need to take care of the following car components during the car inspection. Certain defects might result in multiple error codes, or the scanner might detect one error code with a few potential causes. To be honest, I'm not really that interested in cars. We will discuss whats involved in a brake inspection, whats involved in a light inspection, and why theyre both so important. Lighting. All rights reserved. Its our priority to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly, so you get back on the road safely. Perhaps someone who was putting a caliper back on turned it one too many times. Battery light came on and I cleaned connections. Wiring seems tight and ground seems good. AutoZone tends to use generic code scanners, whereas dealerships and some other garages use proprietary scanners designed for use with specific vehicle makes and models. Reasons for a Brake and Lamp Inspection Do you think I should change alt. As of February 2014, the ABS (antilock brake system) light CAN be on, The Airbag light has to come on for a bulb check then go OFF. I Have A 2003 Ford Focus Se. A vehicle will not pass the inspection if the ABS light is on. Read: Virginia Vehicle Inspection Checklist. However, this length of time can easily change depending on where youre getting the inspection done and what areas of your car your state requires to be inspected. Make sure the mirrors are not cracked or missing, the horn works and works correctly (not muffled) and if you hear a loud exhaust noise from under the car that is not normally there you may want to get that looked at before you go for inspection. A hard brake pedal or a vehicle having a hard time stopping can be caught during the state inspection, as well. This inspection takes place once every 12 months. The traction control helps to keep all four wheels firmly on the ground, helping to prevent skidding, and the ABS stops the wheels from locking. The catalytic converter is broken or missing. Most vehicles that are under 5 years old should pass inspections fairly easily. At Virginia Tire & Auto, we offer extended hours to work with your schedule. Loose tie rod ends are also a wearable item and it does affect your alignment and tire wear as well. Some auto body shops offer this service as an add-on to their other services. Some states also require that vehicles pass an emissions test in addition to the brake and light inspection. Specifically, an inspection might be necessary for the following reasons: The latest inspection is set to expire The vehicle title is changing hands The owner is moving to a different area In some states, inspections are only necessary for certain parts of the state. The brakes in your car work by using hydraulic pressure. The last type of professional who can perform a brake and light inspection is an auto body shop. Worrying about driving a car in a region with hills can be exhausting. An illuminated check engine light wont cause you to fail inspection, but it is often a signal of issues going on under the hood that could result in a failed inspection. The ABS forms part of the car's safety features linked to other safety systems, such as traction and stability control. Contact us now to book your no-contact, friendly appointment! During the inspection, the professional will check the condition of your brakes and lights. The ABS light being on will cause your vehicle to fail in some states, including Massechutes and New York. However, it will not pass if the red brake light is on, because that could indicate a problem with the parking brake system or fluid. All the original emissions components. There are dozens of areas that technicians inspect, but there are a few in particular that commonly cause vehicles to fail. The wire mentioned above only goes from the parking brake switch to a skid control ECU input. 9:02p, 8/17/11. If youve ever been stopped by the police and had to show your drivers license, you know that having your brake lights on can definitely help. If you have noticed any squealing or grinding you may need brakes, have a pre-brake inspection done so there are no surprises when you go to get it inspected. This means that the more of your car repair needs we support you with, the better able we are to customize our recommendations based on your driving habits and needs. Is It Safe to Drive With Your ABS Light On? We differ from other automotive repair shops because we are a relationship shop. A faulty connection or damaged wire will prevent the ABS from working and the light will come on to alert drivers of a problem within the system. "It's required to have all three stop lights. If youre wondering about the same, get the answer here. Your email address will not be published. Hence, if its a while since the last tune-up, a quick tune-up is the best thing to achieve. Regardless of whether your car will pass the inspection, it is important to repair any issues with the ABS and braking system. If the oil in your engine is contaminated due to inadequate oil changes it may very well cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test. just make sure all of the brake pads are above worn out, tires arent bald and no cv boots are slinging grease on brake parts. Next step is my alternator. If it is charging properly with the light on, it is likely a bad wire or connection at the alternator. I love this site. A vehicle will fail if any active leaks or oil contamination is found. Similar to the broken wire, if there is a blown fuse in the ABS, the system will not work properly. All the emission monitors will also be erased. While all new cars in the USA must have an emissions (smog) test and safety inspection before they are approved for sale, periodic safety inspections are only a legal requirement in certain states. If you clear the codes and immediately get the car inspected, it will fail even if the check engine light is off. In Inspection by Steves Auto Repair and TireFebruary 26, 2014. An illuminated check engine light wont cause you to fail inspection, but it is often a signal of issues going on under the hood that could result in a failed inspection. At least 50 percent of the bulbs have to be on and be illuminated to pass inspection," says inspection technician Sam Upchurch. Does the light bulb last for a little bit? Ensure the seat belts present at both front and rear seats as many owners sideline the rear seat belts. This means one pad isnt making contact with the rotor and the wheel only has half of its braking ability. If you hear squeaking or grinding noises when you brake, bring your vehicle into Virginia Tire & Auto for a free. And one of the most important things you can do for your car is to make sure the brakes and lights are working properly. The brake light then turns on and begins to flash. Look at the tag lights (these lights illuminate the license plate) this is often overlooked by the car owner, they must be in working condition and are very inexpensive replacements. It all revolves around safety. Contact us now to book your no-contact, friendly appointment! Thanks for the feedback, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help. Stopping distance with treads that are 4/32 of an inch is 290 feet and stopping distance with treads that are 2/32 of an inch is 379 feet. Check with your states DMV if you need more information about how to pass a vehicle safety inspection in your area. Theyre what allow you to stop quickly and safely, so its important to make sure theyre always in good working order. During the inspection, a state-licensed technician will perform rigorous and thorough checks on the car or motorcycle's brakes and various lights to ensure they are all working properly. Thank you for this post I had this problem had to get a motorcraft unit from Amazon for $143.00 fixed it! It is true that your car will not pass inspection if the check engine light is on. When we see a lot of rust built up on the rotor, its a good indication that the brakes arent working correctly. Since water cannot be compressed, tires are designed to direct water away through their grooves, so they can remain in contact with the road. If the cars ABS lights are on, can it pass the inspection? The vehicle can fail the inspection if the dent is on the glass areas, such as the windows, the windshield, and the back glass. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The inspectors ensure that nothing is rubbing on or starting to wear through the brake hoses and they havent begun to develop excessive cracks. Reid Sharpless You can still slow down your car by applying the brakes as usual. The most common scenario is that the inspector will flag the light as an issue and require you to take your car in for a repair. One option is to replace the light bulb. Most states require that vehicles have a brake and light inspection before they can be registered. Perhaps the most confusing criterion concerns emissions testing. are functioning properly. They dont even have a handle that you pull up; instead, its run by a computer. If your car is displaying a check engine light but you manage to reset it shortly before taking your car in for a safety inspection, you may receive the unfortunate surprise of having your car fail the test anyway. To be honest, I'm not really that interested in cars. The ABS works in a car by sensors detecting whether the wheels are locking as you brake. This year I passed with a cracked windshield and tinted windows. Car inspection is a quick process to get through in every part of the world if you know how to prepare the car well. The Battery Light Has Been Coming On For A Few Months, It Will Come On, And Go Off. Because all 97's were required to have a 3rd brake light:hmmm: And if thats not good enough to clue them in, maybe the hole and wires left behind will. ), and the sticker dude say he technically should fail me, as one of my taillights is cracked/busted. Many modern vehicles give drivers the option to turn the traction control and ABS systems off themselves. Check your owner's manual first. Privacy Policy, You can easily check your tire tread depth prior to your state inspection by performing the, Of all the items listed above, one of the hardest to notice is worn brake pads. For example, when a car inspection is performed in New York, a switched-on ABS light will result in a failed test. But there's a bit more to it than that. I replaced the battery just in case and it's working great. Here are the top 10 most common items needed to pass for a state inspection. The mechanic will also test the lights to make sure theyre working properly. However, some states require that these inspections be done separately. If your car has a brake light that is not working, it may need to be replaced. Its purpose is to prevent the brakes from locking up while applying the brakes. If there are any problems, theyll be able to fix them before they become serious. We also offer an industry-leading 3-Year/36,000-mile warranty, so we only use Original Equipment and manufacturer-recommended products. ABS has been a legal requirement on vehicles since 2004 - and an ABS warning light that's permanently on means your car will fail an MOT. You can ask to see their certification or license. Look at your tires to check the tread depth, turn your wheels to the side and look for inside and outside tire wear, run your hands over the surface of the tire and see if they are wearing evenly. Where Can I Get My Car Inspected in VA and What Can I Expect? 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