Inspection Info
What To Do If Your Vehicle Doesn't Pass
Don't panic - if a vehicle failed its AirCare inspection, a one time three-month licensing and insurance policy may be purchased to provide ample time to complete the necessary repairs. (Don't confuse the one time three-month policy with a conditional pass - they are NOT the same thing). After the three-month policy has lapsed, the vehicle will be only be eligible for temporary operating permits until it has passed or conditionally passed an inspection.
- To be assured of passing or conditionally passing, have your vehicle repaired at any of the AirCare Certified Repair Centres . Be sure to bring your AirCare Vehicle Inspection Report and the accompanying Diagnostic Trace Report.
- After repairs have been completed, return to an AirCare Inspection Centre for re-inspection. The re-inspection is necessary to ensure proper repairs have been performed. There will be a $23 charge for all re-inspections. Note: The AirCare Certified Technician will give you a copy of the completed Repair Data Form. Please be prepared to present this copy to an AirCare Inspector, if requested to do so.
- Upon passing or conditionally passing your re-inspection, proceed to your Autoplan Broker for licensing and insurance.
Allow Enough Time For Repairs To Be Completed
Make sure to allow enough time before the expiration of your vehicle licence and insurance to have the necessary repairs completed, and to have the vehicle re-inspected.
In particular, if your vehicle is a 1998 or newer light-duty vehicle and has failed the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test, you should be aware that after being repaired, the vehicle’s OBD monitoring system often requires a period of time for specific operating conditions to occur in order to re-set all of its Readiness Monitors and be ready for re-inspection. Don't leave it to the last minute. If your 1998 or newer light-duty vehicle is re-inspected after previously failing the OBD test, and you have not had repair data submitted by an AirCare Certified Repair Centre, the vehicle will be rejected from testing if 2 or more Readiness Monitors are Not Ready.
Who Can Repair My Vehicle?
Repair facilities displaying the AirCare Repair Centre sign shown at right have been certified by the AirCare program as having the equipment and training to do emissions-related repairs.
Anyone, including the vehicle owner, may perform repairs. However, if repairs were not done by an AirCare Certified Repair Centre, the vehicle will not be eligible for a conditional pass if it fails re-inspection.
If your vehicle fails the inspection after someone has supposedly performed all of the needed repairs, that indicates that there is still a defect that has somehow been overlooked. The same is true if your vehicle receives a conditional pass after an AirCare Certified Repair Centre has performed all recommended repairs. We strongly recommend that you return to the repair centre to allow the technician to review their repair strategy.
How Much Must I Spend to Qualify For a Conditional Pass?
Repair Cost Limits are designed to ensure that motor vehicle emissions are reduced while limiting the financial burden upon vehicle owners. The cost limits are the maximum amount that is required to be spent to qualify for a "conditional pass", and include any diagnostic fees.
If necessary emissions repairs are going to cost more than the applicable repair cost limits (see below), only vehicles repaired by an AirCare Certified Technician at an AirCare Certified Repair Centres are eligible for a "conditional pass". If you are unsure, ask for a proof of certification before you authorize repairs, and make sure the Repair Centre Technician has filled out and provided you with a copy of the completed Repair Data Form. Then, return to any AirCare Inspection Centre for re-inspection. Be prepared to present the Repair Data Form to the AirCare inspector, if requested to do so.
Repair Cost Limits
| Model Year | No Tampering | Tampering * |
|---|---|---|
* Missing or modified catalytic converters are the only failures that tampering repair cost limits apply to. Remember, only vehicles repaired by an AirCare Certified Repair Technician working in an AirCare Certified Repair Centre can qualify for a "conditional pass". Please Note: Vehicles repaired by the vehicle owner or an uncertified repair shop, will require re-inspections until the vehicle passes. |
||
| 1980 and Older | $300 | Advisory |
| 1981-1987 | $400 | Advisory |
| 1988-1991 | $500 | No Limit |
| 1992-1998 | $600 | No Limit |
| 1999 and Newer | No Limit | No Limit |
How Long Can I Wait to Insure My Vehicle After Receiving a Conditional Pass?
If your vehicle receives a conditional pass, you have 90 days to purchase your vehicle licence and insurance (you may still purchase up to a full year of insurance). Once the 90-day limit expires, the vehicle will require another inspection before re-licensing.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Failures?
These are general guidelines only. For further information, see your AirCare Certified technician.
High HC Emissions
- Inoperative/missing catalytic converter
- O2 sensor malfunction
- Internal engine problem
- Vacuum leaks (hoses, vacuum operated devices, intake manifold, carburetor)
- Ignition system malfunction (plugs, plug wires, points, dwell, etc.)
- Improper fuel injector operation
- Incorrect ignition timing and/or idle speed
- Incorrect carburetor air/fuel mixture
- Defective EGR valve or air injection system failure
- More info.
High CO Emissions
- Excessively rich air/fuel mixture
- O2 sensor malfunction
- Faulty computer control(s)
- Malfunctioning fuel injection system
- Inoperative/missing catalytic converter
- Carburetor float level maladjusted
- Air cleaner, choke or carburetor
- Defective canister purge system
- More info.
High NOx Emissions
- Inoperative/ineffective Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System
- Excessively lean air/fuel mixture
- O2 sensor malfunction
- Engine deposits or mechanical defect
- Malfunctioning or missing catalytic converter (three-way catalyst only)
- Excessive spark advance
- Faulty Thermostatic Air Cleaner (TAC) system
- Defective air flow meter
- More info.
On-Board Diagnostic Failure (1998 and newer light-duty vehicles only)
The cause(s) of an OBD failure is dependent upon the diagnostic trouble code(s) stored in the vehicle's on-board computer. The most common causes are:
- Air/fuel mixture out of control range
- Catalytic converter efficiency too low
- EGR system malfunction
- Misfire
- Evaporative control system malfunction
High Opacity (Diesels Only)
- Injection timing/pump timing maladjusted
- Incorrect fuel pump pressure
- Injectors fouled, leaking or mismatched
- Restricted air intake system
- Dirty air cleaner
- Engine mechanical defect
- More info.
For a more comprehensive explanation of emissions repairs see Emissions Repairs Explained .
To locate an AirCare Certified Repair Centre near you, click here.
