Missouri Safety Inspection

[bandit]

Anyone from MO that can shed some light on what all is entailed to pass their Safety Inspection? Called around all morning and mostly getting the generic things they look at. This is an old car and will have issues if you look hard enough. How hard is it to get a 1970 car passed? This is not a concourse resto. Garage mechanic work.

 

[hawkeye]

Anyone from MO that can shed some light on what all is entailed to pass their Safety Inspection? Called around all morning and mostly getting the generic things they look at. This is an old car and will have issues if you look hard enough. How hard is it to get a 1970 car passed? This is not a concourse resto. Garage mechanic work.

If you put historic plates on it, no inspection needed. Regular inspection very minimal. Lights (bright, dim, tail), turn signals, brake lights, good brakes and exhaust, functioning wipers, no major cracks in glass.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I disagree with Hawkeye since Missouri is the hardest inspection I've ever tried to pass. Kansas City, St.Louis and their surrounding counties all have emission testing going back to 1967 (could be off a year or two). All of the lights (including side markers, reverse, etc.) have to function, tire tread depth is measured, brakes inspected, suspension inspected, horn, etc. My Roadrunner was failed for being about 1/4" below the top lip in brake fluid, and wiper blades the mechanic decided were too worn. Also, all pollution control equipment, for any year, must be installed & working, no changes to exhaust configuration (I had a '79 Trans Am rejected because I'd made it a true dual exhaust) and you cannot install any engine that was not at least originally available in that car/year.... so no '74 Hemi Satellites.

 

[hawkeye]

I disagree with Hawkeye since Missouri is the hardest inspection I've ever tried to pass. Kansas City, St.Louis and their surrounding counties all have emission testing going back to 1967 (could be off a year or two). All of the lights (including side markers, reverse, etc.) have to function, tire tread depth is measured, brakes inspected, suspension inspected, horn, etc. My Roadrunner was failed for being about 1/4" below the top lip in brake fluid, and wiper blades the mechanic decided were too worn. Also, all pollution control equipment, for any year, must be installed & working, no changes to exhaust configuration (I had a '79 Trans Am rejected because I'd made it a true dual exhaust) and you cannot install any engine that was not at least originally available in that car/year.... so no '74 Hemi Satellites.

I was unaware of the St Louis area requirements (KC doesn't have any emission requirements). The rest of the state is pretty easy. They may be a little harder on you if the inspection shop doesn't know you. Take it to some 'good old boy' out in the sticks and you will get through it.

http://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/smog-check.php

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Here's what I found:
1. hawkeye is right that there's no emission testing in Kansas City
2. '95 and older no longer have emission tests

http://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/smog-check.php
Various parts of your vehicle will be inspected by technicians, including:

• Seat belts.
• Windshield and windows.
• Turn signals and headlights.
• Brake lights.
• Brake system.
• Horn.
• Steering mechanism.
• Rearview mirrors.
• Exhaust system.
• Fuel system.
• Tires and wheels.
• Bumpers.
• Airbags.

 

[bandit]

Hawkeye, I looked up the historical plates. How strict are they about you keeping a log of your mileage with you so you do not go over 1000 miles in a year? Are the cops targeting historic plates to check their logs? Have you ever heard of what the penalties are for not having a correct log or going over 1000 miles?

Oh and lastly, to anyone that knows, for property taxes they said my car would be valued super low because of the age(they do not assume any resto) and property taxes would only be about $40 a year. Have you guys found this to be true on your cars?

 

[hawkeye]

I have never kept a log and have never been stopped but I really don't drive them that much. As long as you don't use it as a daily driver, you will be fine. I have never checked the taxes but they aren't too much.

 

[67440chrg]

I have lived in Missouri for 30 years. It used to be 1980 or older needed no smog equipment but they don't do a test on any vehicle where I live. I keep a log but have never had it checked. Basic inspection is just that. They may pull one wheel for brakes and check for bad ball joints etc. All lights, wipers, horn, seat belts and no crack in windshield in drivers line of sight. No noticeable exhaust leaks. Don't worry its not bad. As a antique plate you can get a date correct tag in good condition as long as there is no new ones with the same number. I live in a little town just south of Kc.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Where you moving to maybe some one can tell you where to take it?

 

[bandit]

Looking outside of St Louis.

 

[mopar 3 B]

I would be more concerned about getting a Missouri drivers licence than getting your car threw inspection.
If you do not have your birth certificate with an original state embossed seal from the state of your birth you had better find one as you will not get a drivers licence without it. Your Missouri drivers licence will also be required to regester your vehicles. Copies of your birth certificate will not work even if the state seal is on it.

 

[moparnation74]

I would be more concerned about getting a Missouri drivers licence than getting your car threw inspection.
If you do not have your birth certificate with an original state embossed seal from the state of your birth you had better find one as you will not get a drivers licence without it. Your Missouri drivers licence will also be required to regester your vehicles. Copies of your birth certificate will not work even if the state seal is on it.

Same for A LOT of states since 911. It is the same here in Texas. What irritated me is that any valid state approved license should be deemed as acceptable proof to another state, then pay the fee and issue a new license. Not the case though....

I have heard Missouri is the worst on inspections due to the fact some of my family live on the border of IL and St Louis MO area. Not sure on antique plates there but here in TX you are limited but your not checked. The only time that would be an issue is in the case of an accident(cannot use antique plates for commuting to work).

 

[SlinktRR]

NJ is where it's at. Register with clean title, pictures of car (street rods are under more scrutiny than a stock classic), get your classic plates and go, no inspection. Jersey gets a bad rap, but as far as motorcycles and classic cars it is great. Free car inspection for daily drivers as well.

 

[moparnation74]

NJ is where it's at. Register with clean title, pictures of car (street rods are under more scrutiny than a stock classic), get your classic plates and go, no inspection. Jersey gets a bad rap, but as far as motorcycles and classic cars it is great. Free car inspection for daily drivers as well.

Texas is the same at vehicle registration on antique plates....minus the pictures you have to do. All we have to do additional is a simple VIN verification and that's only if the car was registered in another state.....

 

[mopar 3 B]

If you reside outside of St Louis Co. no smog test required. I think Historic vechical are exempt anyway. We just have a normal equipment inspection in the rest of the state.