looking at some cars on craigslist without converters etc reminded me of getting a free ford pinto years ago because my wifes friends husband couldnt fix it. I get the charging system fixed (bad dash ground) and go to get it smogged. Well someone removed the cat. converter and I couldnt get it to pass. Even though the car was given to me, the previous owner is legally liable to replace the missing converter since it's illegal to remove them and register the car without it if its suppose to have it. I just cut the pipe and clamped a universal converter and got it to pass.
Anyone ever have a car come back to you because of this? jim

I haven't dealt with that in particular but around here it is illegal to sell a used vehicle without a passing emissions test performed in the last 30 days, I think. I don't think it's enforced, though. I've bought and sold a few vehicles and never provided an emission test nor been given one. But I suppose legally it could come back on the seller.

I live in Tennessee, so, no. The last out of state car I bought, the DMV asked me if I had checked to make sure the VIN on the car matched the title.

That's about it for inspections.

I've been thinking about this and I think it would be dependant upon how the car was represented by the seller. If it was being represented as a car that could be immediately licensed and driven and later found to be non-compliant by the buyer, the seller would likely be liable. However if it was sold as-is, where-is and the seller made the buyer aware of the non-compliance and the buyer bought it anyhow responsibility should fall on the buyer.

I think if I sell any vehicles needing emmisions testing going forward I will have the test done prior to handing over the keys. That way it shouldn't come back on me because it was legal at the time of sale. That $15 seems like money well spent for peace of mind.

I think it's actually a federal law tampering with emissions equipment.

I remember back when people buying used cars were drawn to cars that had current emission stickers. When I was selling used cars, getting fresh (and completely legitimate) sticker was one of the first things I did. Often, that was one of the things that helped seal the deal.

Here in California it is the sellers responsibility to provide the buyer with a smog certificate that is no more than I think 30 days old.You can't register a car here without it.You could buy a car without the certificate and get it inspected yourself but if it fails your going to have problems.You can go back to seller and tell him to do it or you want your money back.If worst comes to worst you can take it some place and get an illegal smog check.

A friend of mine got a truck with the converter removed. To pass emissions he went to a junkyard and found the top part of the radiator support that had a non-catalyst emission label. That vehicle could be gotten with or without a catalyst depending on (I think) the weight class.

Being in CA I don’t mess with anything newer than 1975 that needs to pass emissions. I have a few that could benefit from some modifications, but it’s not worth the hassle, and I won’t buy anything that doesn’t come with the test already done. Been bitten by that and dmv issues in the past. Just not worth it.

Devin

That’s one of the main reasons that you only buy a car from its registered owner. For some reason people think putting “as is” in the bill of sale/receipts means they are free and clear, when it comes to emissions equipment and smog certificates, it only confirms they are a moron.

As for illegal smogs, good luck with that. That’s nearly impossible unless you know the tech or are referred personally by someone they trust, even then it will often cost hundreds of dollars.

Steve R

Smog shop (their computer system) rejected my smog on a 1 ton I bought yrs ago said you cant do that anymore seller has to in his name period

Had to drive it back to his place have him do it no ifs ands or buts
Used to be the buyer could do it...good luck.

Do you feel like you're in a California funnel ?

Jim you aren't mentioning the car or year although AZ requires 1968's and up to get emission tested. Wow and I thought MA was bad going back 15 years. However I can't see complaining with a free car. Hell the steel is worth a couple hundred to a junkyard. New cats are way superior restriction wise and emissions to the old pellet loaded ones of the 75-86 era. If I gave you a car and you complained I would just say give it back and haul it off to the junkyard and put the $ in my pocket. If you are worried about the universal cats, don't be unless your car is misfiring it will run for years

Bill, I just brought this up because there was a V8 powered S10 listed for sale and there's no way a tucson or phoenix resident is getting it thru smog. You can get classic insurance and avoid the test or if you have a out of town address you could register it outside the metro area.
On our free pinto, it was a 75 and require a cat. I clamped a universal and passed. I was just wondering if anyone had a modified car come back and cost the previous owner any grief. I wojldnt burden someone giving me a free car with small issues like the smog stuff. I knkw enough to look at stuff on a car like this, lots of guys have these cars registered out of town and fail to mention it to unsuspecting buyers. Jim

Man I'm sooo glad Fl did away with emmisions testing, drove my nuts with a really nice 84 T/A