Failed emission test

Hi Bill,

You want to find out why or what caused it to fail emissions. You don't need a mechanic to tell you this. The person that sold it to you or took it to get tested should have a document that shows what caused it to fail. This is what you want to take to a mechanic and ask that they give you an estimate on what it will take to correct whatever that failed system was. You can even get multiple estimates. It could fail for something as simply as the monitors have not run so you have to drive it to get them to run and then retest it. Or it could be a failed component like a catalytic converter.

If you don't have this paper or have access to it, you could try calling the testing site and they may have record if you tell them you just bought the vehicle. Worst case, you will have to have it retested and if it fails, you will have the document to provide to the shop.

Let me know if you have more questions. Thanks