As I have talked about before, I'm likely to end up in Massachusetts with work in the next 6 months, and my first opportunity is upon me now.
What is the licencing/ registration deal? And more importantly, what is the deal on inspection? How often and most importantly, is rust an inspection issue? My manager who used to live out there said it is, and if so, my car will not pass.
Rust is an inspection check,but I have seen some pretty rusty cars get through as well as my own van that has some pretty bad rust on the rockers, but passes each year. If the car is 95 or older no worries on emissions as they don't get checked. Licensing is like most states I think,but you have to renew it every 5 years. Registering a car is a bit of a hassle as you have to pay sales tax on the book value not what you paid for the car unless it is through a dealer. Registrations last 3 years I think,and is $50,plus a title fee of $75 one time. Also you pay excise tax every year on the vehicles that are registered,but unless they are new the fees are not too bad as they value the vehicle at a much lower level than they are really worth. You also NEED to have insurance no matter what car you have. You don't have to have full coverage,but they require a minimum amount,and the state sets the rates.
I have 74,79,and 83 cars and my inspections are maybe ten minutes,and the most of that time is spent getting the new sticker printed up,and scrapping off the old one.
The RMV is not really a fun place to be,but can be okay at times.
Not a state you want to live in if you're into buying, fixing, flipping old cars. Mass is a stickler for titles.
Yeah, my drivers side rocker is pretty bad, to the point that I can't lift it on the pinch weld in back, I have to use a suspension mounting point. Also underneath is getting bad. Stupid salt
I dunno. My old 240SX and Impreza were total rustbuckets and passed safety inspection just fine. A couple more items:
-tr8todd is right about titles: Any car newer than MY1980 MUST have a title, and getting a replacement is next to impossible, even if the car comes from a more permissive state like NH.
-Sales tax in MA is 6.25%. Any car bought out-of-state is subject to this tax, so tax-free NH shopping does not apply here.
-Inspection costs $29. Cash is easiest. If your car fails emissions inspection, you get a sticker with a black "R" on it. You have 60 days to repair the problem and get the car reinspected. You do not need to pay again as long as the car passes within the 60 day period. If your car fails safety, you get a sticker with a red "R" on it. You are not supposed to drive a car with a red R at all unless it is for inspection or repair. That being said, I see plenty of cars with red Rs tooling around, just don't get caught.
-All emissions are read via OBDII. No more sniffers.
-If you decide to buy a different car from a MA dealer or private party, then you are protected by the Lemon Law, which states that anyone who sells you a car must make it safety and emissions compliant. If the car fails inspection, the seller must either repair the fault or give you a refund within 60 days. This does not apply to cars bought out-of-state, so buyer beware.
In reply to RexSeven:
No more sniffer? Sweet, my car already passes OBD II testing in NY. And if rust isn't the issue I have been told earlier then I'm running the neon at least until the irreplaceable Potenzas are bald.
Rust, like manyof the possible failures, depends on the shop doing the inspection.
I've had failures for rust, wiper blades, license plate frame (plastic dealer ones), and the most annoying-having a hitch ball on the step bumper of my s-10, reason given "it blocked the view of the rear plate". But I've also had cracked windshields, blown bulbs, and in-op e-brakes overlooked.
Rust holes are typically frowned upon, but simple fixes like fiber glass, "great stuff" foam insulation, or pop riveted patches can work. The good rule of thumbis no thru holes and nothing that can snag/scratch something brushing against it, like the inspectors hand.
If you do fail, you have 60 days to get a free reinspection. If you go over the 60, then you need to pay another $29, and the expiration date is still one year from the original inspection (60 + days earlier)
In reply to jstand:
Yeah, I need to fill that open rocker with expanding foam.
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