When you buy a new vehicle, you can rest assured that everything is in perfect working order. But has it stayed that way? Vehicle problems can occur at any time during ownership that can go undetected or be ignored for weeks or months. To ensure your car is operating safely and efficiently, passenger vehicles must pass an annual Pennsylvania State vehicle inspection.
If your light-duty passenger vehicle is due for a state emissions and safety inspection, bring it to Xavier’s Auto Center. Our ASE-certified automotive techs will perform your safety and emissions inspection so you can continue driving worry-free.
What a state inspection covers
Emissions inspection
Pennsylvania requires an emissions inspection to be performed annually. It’s conducted before the safety inspection and looks for emissions-related failures in your vehicle. That could include a Check Engine light on, excessive tailpipe emissions, or indications that your catalytic converter has been modified or removed.
If your vehicle fails the emissions inspection, you have 30 days to have it corrected and have a free re-test performed or your registration may be suspended. There are exemptions to those who need an emissions inspection, though. For example, if you drive a car for less than 5,000 miles in the year since your inspection was last completed, you may not have to be tested.
Safety inspection
In Pennsylvania, the state inspection is an unintrusive check-up that is largely visual. According to PennDOT, it checks “suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body, and the chassis.” In certain areas, a visual inspection to ensure emissions components are still in place is performed too.
It’s a straightforward safety inspection that ensures all vehicles registered in the state pass a bare minimum standard for safe motoring. If a problem is detected, the technician at the inspection station will recommend repairs which you have 30 days to complete, or your vehicle registration is suspended. When the vehicle passes its state inspection, an inspection sticker is installed to verify it complies with motor vehicle standards.
How often is a state inspection required?
If you drive a passenger vehicle including an SUV or light-duty pickup truck, the state inspection program mandates an inspection once per year.
Why choose Xavier’s Auto Center for your state inspection
For an all-in-one service experience for your state inspection, choose Xavier’s Auto Center. Along with competitive inspection fees, our technicians will identify any problem areas that fail the inspection or need further attention. While some shops strictly inspect vehicles, our ASE-certified technicians are capable of performing the repairs you need to keep your vehicle on the road.
Choose the complete solution for your state inspection and vehicle repairs in Philadelphia, Xavier’s Auto Center.