If you are thinking about buying a used car, one of the conditions of getting it properly registered after you buy it is to make sure that the auto passes a car smog test. But some shady dealers or sellers can cheat you if you’re not careful.
Cars that don’t pass inspection can mean paying for a brand new catalytic converter, which may cost anywhere between $500 to $1000 and more. Here’s how to protect yourself from car smog scams.
.The Old SwitcherooA car dealer or private seller may try to sell a car and try to pass it off as one that has passed the smog test. They’ll even show you the passing certificate. But what some dishonest sellers do is to refit the car with a catalytic converter that isn’t made for the car.
They take this car to get “tested” and somehow get it passed by a questionable car shop, or even worse, they provide a phony “passed” smog test document to you. Needless to say, this is a criminal offense with heavy fines.
If you buy a car that the owner claims has passed the smog test, you need to be careful that the documents are all in order, the place of the testing can be traced, and to make sure that the owner can be contacted if there are any problems.
“It Passed Last Time”A car seller may say that they haven’t had a chance to “smog” the car for a test, but will guarantee that the car passed the last one. The train of logic is that since it passed the previous test, it should be good to go for a new one.
Wrong.
In general, a catalytic converter lasts about 100,000 miles. So if you purchased a car that is near or beyond this mileage, chances are that the car is due for a new catalytic converter, even though the car may have passed its last test.
Things can go wrong after the car’s last smog test too. The catalytic converter may have sustained damage by being suddenly hit by an obstruction or pothole in the road, or could even be faulty. The car may have failed its last smog test, but the owner may be lying or covering this fact so they won’t have to deal with possible repairs to pass the smog test.
A car may also fail a smog test because the car’s computer may be malfunctioning and is not allowing for the proper fuel mixture to be burned by the engine. If it is the car computer, it will be a costly replacement fee.
Pass It UpIf a car you are considering buying hasn’t passed the emissions test, it may be a good idea to pass on it. There are just too many hidden costs and unknowns that may suddenly creep up if you try to smog your car after the purchase.
If the owner of the car can’t or won’t take the car in for an emissions test, it isn’t worth the possible headaches you’ll get down the road if the auto doesn't pass.
Source:
Car Talk