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Failing Vehicles

You cannot register a failing vehicle in Salt Lake County until it is properly repaired, retested, and passes the test.

If your vehicle fails the emissions test:

  • Use a repair facility and technician who is familiar with your vehicle and its emissions system.
  • Secure a written estimate that includes diagnosis and recommended repairs.
  • If you are not satisfied with the estimate or diagnosis, get a second technician's opinion or contact the Air Quality Bureau.
  • Check your vehicle owner's manual for information specific to your vehicle. Many emissions systems are covered by warranties, if still applicable.

Links

Air Quality Bureau

Environmental Health Division

385-468-3837

788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 South)
Murray, Utah 84107

Monday through Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Failing Vehicle Waivers

In very rare cases, vehicle owners have made repairs toward the major cause of a failed emissions inspection and those repairs have failed to reduce pollution levels to below the standard.

In some of those cases, SLCoHD may issue a waiver to allow a failing vehicle to be registered for that year.

A waiver is a last resort.

A vehicle must meet all 4 requirements below to qualify for a waiver:

  1. Failed an emissions inspection with 2 or more trouble codes
  2. Received a diagnostic test by a licensed automotive repair facility
  3. Received recommended emissions-related repairs, totaling at least $450, from a licensed automotive repair facility
  4. Failed a second emissions inspection with at least 1 of the original trouble codes removed (showing that the repairs did provide some improvement)

Waivers are handled on a case-by-case basis and may or may not be granted.

The vehicle must be inspected by a SLCoHD vehicle emissions technician to review all test data and repair records, and to verify the attempted repairs.

Tampered or smoking vehicles are not eligible for waivers.

Using the form below, submit completed waiver applications with paperwork from both emissions inspections, the diagnostic test, and receipt(s) showing the attempted repairs and cost(s).