By Shore Brothers Automotive, Cape May Court House, NJ · Published
The short answer
Most cars fail New Jersey inspection because of an emissions problem the car's computer has detected, usually with the check engine light on. Bring the inspection report to a repair shop, fix the cause (not just the light), then drive normally for a few days so the car's self-tests finish before you go back for reinspection.
Why cars fail
For most passenger cars, New Jersey inspection is an emissions check done by plugging into the car's onboard computer. The most common reasons for failing are:
- The check engine light is on.
- The car's emissions self-tests (called readiness monitors) haven't finished, often because the battery was recently replaced or disconnected, or codes were just cleared.
- A stored emissions fault, such as a bad oxygen sensor, catalytic converter or evaporative (EVAP) system leak.
What to do next
- Keep the inspection report. It lists why the car failed, and your rejection sticker shows the deadline for reinspection. Don't let it lapse.
- Bring the report to a repair shop so they can diagnose the actual cause, not just turn off the light.
- After the repair, drive normally for several days, a mix of highway and around-town driving, so the readiness monitors can complete.
- Go back for reinspection at an MVC inspection station or a licensed private inspection facility.
Avoid failing twice
The fastest way to fail again is to clear the code right before reinspection. The light will be off, but the self-tests won't be ready and the car will be rejected. Fixing the underlying problem and giving the car time to finish its tests is what gets you through.
Where we come in
We don't perform New Jersey state inspections, but we diagnose and repair the problems that cause cars to fail them. Bring your inspection report and we'll find the cause, give you a written estimate before any work, and let you know when the car is ready to go back.