New Jersey requires that all vehicles pass an emissions inspection. As long as your car passes, you only have to test once every two years. However, some car owners have reported buying a pre-owned car that failed its first emissions and smog inspection. This is why we recommend a pre-inspection at our Sansone service center in Avenel, NJ.
Buying from a Private Seller
We always recommend buying a pre-owned vehicle from a dealership rather than a private seller. An automobile from the former undergoes an inspection before it can be released for sale. If you do decide to buy from a private seller, always perform a history check. When a car fails an inspection, the results are automatically reported to organizations like CARFAX. Plus, if you buy from a private seller and the car fails an inspection, you have little recourse and must pay for the necessary repairs and re-testing.
How to Avoid the Problem
New Jersey has strict lemon laws, which apply to dealerships but not to private sellers, hence why we highly recommend buying from a dealership. At Sansone Auto, we’re required by law to ensure that pre-owned vehicles pass state inspections. Should it fail any state inspections, a warranty must be in place that covers the cost of repairs.
There are, however, exceptions to these rules. Pre-owned vehicles are exempt from lemon laws if they meet all of the following:
- More than seven years old
- More than 100,000 miles on the odometer
- Priced under $3,000
Regardless of where you purchased your used vehicle, bring it to Sansone Auto for servicing if it fails an inspection. Our trained technicians are here to help keep your emissions at a minimum. We also have plenty of excellent used cars for sale in case you’re ready for a new-to-you vehicle!
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