CHARLOTTE – A North Carolina state inspection is a test to make sure vehicles a suitable for the road. There are two types of state inspections; Safety Only and Safety and Emissions Inspections.

Safety inspections are for cars that were made in model year 2001 or before, or for cars that are only 3 model years old or newer with under 70,000 miles. These inspections make sure that the car is not dangerous to drive.

An OBDII Inspection is a newer style of inspection, ushered in due to new EPA regulations passed in the 1990’s. This test checks the emissions of a vehicle to make sure it is running clean and not over-polluting the environment. These emissions are monitored by a computer (the On Board Diagnostics) and can be read via special software plugged into a vehicle’s ODBII port, usually above the pedals. This inspection is for all vehicles model year 1996 or newer, With the exception of cars falling under the aforementioned 3 Year, 70,000 Mile rule.

Do I need a state inspection?

Most likely, yes. Most vehicles require a state inspection every year. Vehicles that require a state inspection are due in a certain month, shown via the sticker on the vehicle’s license plate or the registration card. If you are unsure if you need a state inspection, please feel free to stop by Manchester Auto and Tire of Mint Hill and we can determine if your car is due for its annual inspection.

Questions? Call (704) 545-4597 or check us out online at www.manchesterautoandtire.com.