josh_0351

I’m posting this in here even though it might not be the most applicable forum (tried the ‘Off Topic’, but unless your into discussing farts sniffing or ******** your wife or girlfriends mom, forget about it…).


Can anyone tell me the details on vehicle inspections in VA or MD? We are moving back to VA (or MD) soon, and I don’t remember much about the vehicle inspections from when we lived in VA previously, other than taking my vehicle into an approved inspections station once a year, and them giving the vehicle the “once-over”.

I had to swap out my doggone Cats (thread and full story here ---> https://mustangforums.com/m_866967/tm.htmSLP Cat Issue (7 Months Old)) and temporarily run race inserts.

I KNOW that I will not pass with race inserts, but will I at least pass if I reinstall my Cats (which are basically race pipes since the catalytic innards blew out)?

Do they just visually verify that you have Cats, or do they measure your exhaust for emissions compliance?

Thanks!

Sonic3v

My dad is in D.C. and im almost 100% sure that is where you will be stationed. He has an 01 Blown 01 GT and hasnt had any problems, all he does is swap his o/r h-pipe for a catted x-pipe when he gets inspected.

orang04gt

Im on the southside of VA and no problems, no sniffer tests, some try to something about cats not being there but most want.

rbstang

Im pretty sure you can get your car passed for $20 bucks if you go to the right place

WydOpen

I live in Virginia Beach and it is mainly "visual inspection". As long as they SEE that your catalytic converters are there, they don't do much else. I always get hit for my "SALEEN" windshield banner...I remove it before inspection and buy another one from PAS in Richmond and put it back on. Local cops don't care and it will soon be legal to have the windshield banner for Saleens (hopefully before the next time I go in for inspection).

There really isn't an emissions program...just a safety inspection.

Here is some info for you to review...

VA Inspection Criteria

It all comes down to the inspecting official/station. I have taken my modified Saleen to both Beach Ford and Kimnach Ford...and aside from my windshield banner...no issues with passing. I have no front plate (required) and 35% tint on the side windows (illegal) and has never been an issue.

Good luck...

nanaki

i'm in northern va and it's both visual and they hook them things sniffer things up. there's 1 or 2 people in the nova stang club that failed with highflow cat midpipes because their cats were bad.

DreamKing

As long as you have functional cats you'll be fine in MD. They don't do a visual inspection to see if they're there, just the smog test, which you can only pass on our cars with cats.

hack_239

I live in Central VA, (Orange County currently & Spotsylvania previously) and there is NO sniffer test here yet. Fredericksburg city and parts north have the emissions tests, but Spotsylvania and parts west along Rt 3 do not.