What We Do 

A state car inspection verifies your vehicle is road-ready and safe to drive. Depending on your state, you may need a vehicle safety inspection once a year, every few years, or not at all. Grease Monkey© recommends checking with your state Department of Motor Vehicles to see how often you need to book a state car inspection. 

Many states require vehicle safety inspections take place at government-sanctioned testing sites. Only some states allow safety inspections performed by non-government entities. States that require annual inspections are more likely to accept inspection results from service centers like Grease Monkey©. Participating Grease Monkey centers provide state inspections and emissions testing. Locate nearby Grease Monkey service centers using our Find a Location page, and contact the center directly to discover which services it provides. 

How to Know When Your Car Needs a State Inspection

Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles can tell you when you need a state car inspection. 

How Car Inspection Services Work 

During a safety inspection, the condition of your vehicle is compared to state guidelines. A typical safety inspection will check the following: 

• All lights are checked for proper function, including headlights, tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights. The inspecting technician also replaces the license plate light. 
• Brake pads and rotors are inspected for excessive wear and brake fluid leaks. 
• Rear and side-view mirrors are inspected for damage. 
• Seatbelt function is verified.
• Steering and alignment systems are examined for damage and signs of failure. 
• Tires are checked for worn treads, damage, and defects. 
• Windshield wiper blades are checked for proper operation.

If Grease Monkey technicians detect problems during a state car inspection, they report back to you and suggest any recommended repair work. 

Things to Consider About Car Inspection Services 

The most important resource for state car inspections is your state’s DMV website, where you should find information on how often you need a safety inspection and whether or not you need to have your vehicle tested at a DMV location. 

Having an up-to-date vehicle safety inspection is essential. States may fine drivers who are not in compliance or have the vehicle impounded until the driver pays impound costs and the cost of towing the vehicle to an approved inspection site. Driving without a current state car inspection may also impact your car insurance policy. 

Not all Grease Monkey service centers perform state car inspections. If you’re looking for a Grease Monkey center in your area, check out our Find a Location page. 

Emissions Testing Services 

What We Do

Vehicle emissions testing determines the amount of pollutants a vehicle produces. Like vehicle safety inspections, emission test regulations vary from state to state. Some states have strict emission testing requirements, while others do not require emission tests at all. Check your state’s DMV to see how often you need emissions testing. Your vehicle manufacturer may also include emissions test recommendations in your user manual.

Grease Monkey service centers perform emissions testing in some states. Check with your local service center to see if we offer this service in your area. 

How to Know When Your Car Needs an Emissions Test

Signs your car may be due for an emissions test include the following: 

• Decreased engine performance
• Decreased fuel economy
• Strange smells from the exhaust
• Leaking fuel cap

How Emissions Testing Services Work

During an emissions test, technicians perform the following tasks:

• A visual safety inspection
• Emission readings from onboard computers are downloaded onto diagnostic equipment 
• Vehicles are run on dynameters to record emission levels
• Gas cap seals are examined

The results of emissions testing are made available to you at the end of the test. On average, the test takes 20 minutes to complete. 

Things to Consider About Emissions Testing Services 

Emissions tests are typically required when you first register your car, after which your state determines the frequency of testing. Some states also require emission testing when selling a vehicle or transferring vehicle titles. 

What’s the Difference Between a State Inspection and an Emissions Test?

A state car inspection evaluates a vehicle to determine if it is safe to drive. Vehicle emission testing determines if the exhaust and emissions system operate correctly and if emission levels comply with state regulations. 

Not all Grease Monkey service centers perform car inspections and vehicle emissions testing. You can find Grease Monkey centers in your local area using our Find a Location page. 

Only available at participating locations.

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