Massachusetts Auto, Home, Business, and Life Insurance Company

4 Common Reasons to Fail a Massachusetts Car Inspection

Vehicle safety inspections are required every year in Massachusetts. It’s actually more common than you may think to fail an inspection. Save yourself the hassle by checking your vehicle in advance for these common reasons to fail a Massachusetts car inspection.

1 – Missing Car Components

If your car is missing certain components, then you will fail the inspection. Here are some items that are required on your car:

  • Windshield Wipers
  • Gas Cap
  • All Rearview Mirrors
  • Front & Rear Bumpers

2 – Check Engine Light Active

If your check engine light is on, then there is some problem with your vehicle. Inspection stations will not give you a pass. Sure, it’s certainly possible that it’s an erroneous warning, but there’s no way for inspectors to know that. Have your vehicle repaired before it is inspected.

3 – Damaged Windshield

If your windshield is cracked, it will not pass inspection. Cracks are considered impairments to the view and must be repaired to pass. If you have a small or minor chip, it may be possible to fix it without replacing the entire windshield. Contact a local windshield repair company for information. For larger cracks, ask youe insurance company whether your policy covers windshield replacement.

4 – Non-compliant Modifications

One of the most common reasons to fail a Massachusetts car inspection is for modifications that aren’t quite legal. Sure, you may have gotten away with driving around the state undetected, but the inspection stations turn a blind eye. Here are common modifications that lead to failure:

  • Window Tints that are Too Dark
  • Vehicles that are Too Low or Too High in Height
  • Exhausts that Exceed Acceptable Emissions Levels
  • Vehicle Lighting Issues (i.e. Wrong Color or Sized Lights)
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Summary of Common Reasons to Fail a Massachusetts Car Inspection

Now that you know about some of the most common reasons to fail a Massachusetts car inspection, you can take steps to improve your chances of passing. If you do fail an inspection, don’t worry. You will be given a fail sticker and will have 60 days to make repairs and return for a re-inspection.