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What to do if Your Vehicle is Rejected
- Q. My vehicle was
rejected. What does that mean?
- A. The
term “reject” refers to a vehicle that is prohibited
from taking or completing an emissions test
for a variety of reasons. Most frequent reasons
for rejection include: OBD monitors were not
ready; the repair form was not properly completed;
the vehicle was exempt from testing; wrong
vehicle was brought in for testing; and the
vehicle was brought in too early. Rejects cannot be used for the test failure count when applying for a waiver. Click
here for a description of these and other reasons
why vehicles can be rejected.
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- Q. What do I do now?
- A. Depending
on the reason for rejection your course of
action may range from not having to do anything
to having your vehicle repaired in order to
have it tested. If you need further assistance
please contact
us.
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- Q. I have repaired my vehicle, now what do I do?
- A. Simply
take the vehicle to any of the emissions test
stations for a test. You should bring all repair
receipts.
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- Q. Do I have to go
to the office before I have my vehicle re-tested?
- A. You have
to go to the office prior to a test only if
your vehicle has exceeded the three-test limit.
Otherwise, proceed to the test lanes.
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- Q. What are the reasons
my vehicle could be rejected?
- A. Some
of the reasons vehicles are rejected include
the following:
- OBD readiness status
The vehicle’s on-board diagnostic system has not completed
all required evaluations to ensure a valid test. This can occur
when the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected, or a service
technician has reset the readiness monitors as part of the repair
process. See the section entitled “Understanding
On-Board Diagnostics” for further information about OBD
systems, readiness, and setting monitors.
- OBD catalyst monitor status
Vehicles that fail an OBD test where any of the diagnostic trouble
codes are for catalyst efficiency and return for a retest when
the catalyst monitor is “not ready” are rejected.
In these cases, the catalyst monitor must be “ready” at
the time of any retest. See the section entitled
“Understanding On-Board Diagnostics” for further
information about OBD systems, readiness, and setting monitors.
- Incomplete repair data
Vehicles are rejected for a re-test when the Repair Data Section
on the back of the previous Vehicle Inspection Report is not
completed, or the Vehicle Inspection Report is missing. Complete
repair data is required in order to perform a re-test.
- Vehicle is exempt from testing
The vehicle is model year 1995 or earlier and in compliance, is
now registered out of the test area, is diesel-powered, or is
otherwise exempt from testing pursuant to the emissions testing
law.
- Too early
The vehicle was brought in for a test more than four months before
the license plates expire.
- Vehicle exceeded three-test limit
After failing three tests, no further tests will be granted unless
the motorist provides credible evidence that appropriate repairs
have been completed since the last test. These repairs would
have to indicate that the vehicle may pass another test, and
a visual inspection is performed to verify that all emissions-related
components are present and appear to be connected and functioning.
- Vehicle condition/safety issues
Vehicles presented for testing with safety related defects or modifications
can be rejected because they may pose a safety hazard to the
inspector or test station.
- Exhaust system leaks/dilution (Idle exhaust test only)
Vehicles are rejected if an exhaust pipe or muffler has holes in
it; or is leaking, broken, rusted-out or missing. These vehicles
can not be tested because test equipment cannot be properly positioned,
or because the exhaust stream may be diluted preventing an accurate
test.
- The idle speed is out of range (Idle exhaust test only)
The engine idle speed must be between 350 and 1300 rpm to be tested.
- Locked gas cap (Idle exhaust test only)
Vehicles requiring gas cap tests are rejected if the cap is inaccessible,
or in the case of a locking gas cap or locking gas cap door,
the motorist does not have a key.
- Missing VIN
Vehicles are rejected if the Vehicle Identification Number can
not be located on the vehicle. These vehicles can not be tested
because inspectors cannot verify that they are testing the correct
vehicle.
- Host computer offline
Vehicles are rejected when the host computer system is down, unless
the motorist provides an acceptable source document such as a
vehicle emissions test notice. It is recommended that motorists
always bring their test notice to the station.
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If you have any other questions, please visit
the Customer Service Representative at
any of the vehicle emissions testing
stations, call the Illinois EPA at (800) 635-2380, or check
this website for updates.
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