Relocated to Washington DC - emissions inspection concern!

[dcmovin]

Hi all -

I have a '72 280 SEL (under 100K on the clock) that runs well, but I am concerned that when I go to register it, that it will fail due to its sheer age - and DC has no exemptions for the age of the car as many states do.

What do you think will happen - surely it can't pass as is? Heck, even California had exemptions for cars over 30 years old (I think newer than that, even).

Has anyone else dealt with this? Help!

--alan

[boneheaddoctor]

It only has to meet 1972 standards.............which are practicly none....

As long as you have no visible smoke you will likely be ok....

[wbain5280]

Are you moving to Washington D.C. or Md or VA? Some lump us all together.

[dcmovin]

Originally Posted by wbain5280

Are you moving to Washington D.C. or Md or VA? Some lump us all together.

I'm a city person, I guess, as is my wife (we DINKs). I lived in Baltimore (in the city), then DC (tenleytown), then San Francisco, and now I'm moving back "home" to this area after a 8 year adventure out west. I just bought a place in Ledroit Park, so I'll be here a good while.

I'm not too worried about the inspection - everything works on the car - every button, knob, light, switch, etc.. but I wasn't thinking about the emissions until I checked out the DC MVA site the other day - I had assumed that there was an expemption for cars that are 30+ years old, as most states have a similar expemption, then I kept searching - and again - no exemption details at all - I keep digging, and find that there isn't an exception for older cars and now I begin to sweat. Hence my post.

I'm hopeful that my car would only have to meet 1972 emissions standards - if that is indeed the case, as another post mentioned, I'd breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I know, DC has issues, but I love this city and we really wanted to live in it. I've heard all about those day-long inspections and the registration nightmare. Guess I'll bring my lunch, my iPod, and get ready for it.

Thanks,

Alan

[ctaylor738]

There is a very active 113 community in this area, and a bunch of the cars are licensed in DC. Since you have basically the same engine as the 280SL, you should be OK if your injection and ignition is working correctly.