Washington Ended Emissions Checks: Does That Save Your Old Car?

So the old check is gone, but the car still has to be legal in other ways. If you have a question about your own vehicle, ask the Department of Licensing.

Here is how the end of the checks affects some common situations.

With no emission check to pass, it is tempting to put tape over the light and forget about it. Please don’t. The light is how the car tells you something is off. Sometimes that is small, like a loose gas cap or a tired sensor. Sometimes it is a misfire that could damage a catalytic converter, or a fault that later leaves you stranded. A flashing light usually means something more urgent, so ask a mechanic before you drive it further.

Questions to ask your mechanic

• What codes does the car show, and what do they mean in plain language?
• Does this affect safety, or could it damage anything else if I wait?
• Can this wait, and what symptoms should I watch for?
• What is the smallest repair that actually solves it?
• Would any part of this repair remove or disable emissions equipment? If so, is there a proper repair instead?

Keep it, and fix what is needed, when:

• The old check was your only reason to get rid of it.
• It starts reliably, and a mechanic has checked it over and says it is safe.
• Any warning light has been looked at and found to be minor or fixable.
• Your insurance, tabs and parking still make sense for what you get from the car.

Before you decide, it may be worth getting a basic inspection on a car that has been sitting. Our guide on a car that has sat for years explains what to look for.

The end of the checks helps with one thing only. These still stand as reasons to let a car go:

• A shop says the brakes, steering or structure are unsafe. See unsafe cars and short trips.
• It needs big repairs that add less than they cost. Our signs it is time to stop may help.
• It has sat so long that the costs of keeping it outweigh what you use it for.
• Your city has told you to deal with it. See code violation notices.

If that is where you land, we buy old cars, running or not. The tow is free, and our offer depends on year and model, condition, demand for parts, weight and size, and towing distance. See our scrap car removal page.