Safety vs. Emissions: What’s Checked During MA Car Inspection?

Safety vs. Emissions: What’s Checked During MA Car Inspection?

When your vehicle is inspected in Massachusetts, technicians look at two major areas: safety and emissions.

Safety Inspection Includes:

• Brakes and steering
• Tires and suspension
• Lights and signals
• Windshield condition and wipers
• Horn, mirrors, seat belts

Emissions Inspection Includes:

• OBD diagnostics (for model year 2008+)
• Fuel system check
• Exhaust leaks or tampering
• Check engine light status

Both checks must be passed to receive a valid inspection sticker. If you fail either section, you’ll receive a rejection or failure sticker and will need to fix the issues before retesting.

Use our station finder to locate certified inspection garages across Massachusetts that specialize in both safety and emissions compliance.