As a resident of North Carolina and a vehicle owner, you are required to have a North Carolina State Inspection done in order to obtain your vehicle’s yearly registration. Car owners are not able to renew their vehicle’s registration or get their yearly sticker for their license plate registration until the vehicle receives a satisfactory certificate of inspection.
Here is what you need to know. Every year, within 90 days of your annual registration date you need to bring your vehicle in to be fully inspected.
The North Carolina State Inspection looks over items such as:
- Brakes
- Steering System
- Turning Lights
- Windshield Wipers
- Aftermarket window tinted Window Grade
- Lights (headlights, tail, brake, plate, and turn signals)
- Tire Condition
- Horn
- Mirrors
If your car is more than 35 years old you are not required to have it inspected.
North Carolina is fighting ozone-forming emissions from gasoline-operated cars and light-duty trucks, Wake and Johnston County require a vehicle emissions check as well.
How is a vehicle’s emissions checked? Inspections are conducted using the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, computerized equipment installed on all new vehicles since 1996.
There are currently 22 counties in North Carolina that require vehicle owners to pass both an Emissions Inspection and a Safety Inspection.
Where can I get my car inspected? Did you know Fast Lube Plus is licensed to perform both OBD and Safety Inspections? We perform these services in compliance with state guidelines. Fees for these services are regulated by the state of North Carolina.
What happens if my vehicle fails an NC Vehicle Safety Inspection? If your vehicle fails inspection, your vehicle can be presented for re-inspection within 60 days of the original failed inspection. Once your vehicle passes, you will be eligible to apply for your yearly vehicle registration.
Stop by any six of Fast Lube Plus’ convenient locations to have your North Carolina State Inspection done. No appointment is necessary!
Taking your car for an inspection can feel like a hassle. But in reality, your yearly NC inspection is not just a legal todo: it’s essentially a check-up. It’s an important tool for identifying early signs of wear and tear and for scheduling needed maintenance.
When the skilled technicians at Fast Lube Plus inspect your vehicle, we look at two areas: safety and emissions. Today we’re going to clarify what that means and why it matters!
Safety Inspections
Your car’s most basic functions are boring compared to your in-dash GPS or leather seats, but they’re also the most important. Any vehicle on the road is expected to have a few key parts work perfectly:
- Brakes (including the parking brake)
- Headlights
- Windshield wipers
- Signal, brake, and plate illumination lights
- Steering
A basic list, indeed. But the safety inspection serves a much more practical purpose of getting an experienced mechanic to look at your car, and in the process of the inspection they can notice items going bad. Things like your brakes, tires, and other wear items are best replaced before they break. If they get too far, you (and your wallet) could be in serious danger!
Avoid surprises by checking for those basic functions ahead of time. Listen for squealing brakes, and have a friend look at your tail and brake lights to make sure they work.
Emissions Inspections
This is where things get a bit more complicated. Since 1995, all new gas-powered cars have come with the OBDII (On-Board Diagnostics) system. This system can detect specific faults with your car – though not necessarily the cause – and store a code in its memory. A technician or off-the-shelf reader can read these codes.
When there’s a problem, your car’s check engine light comes on. Unfortunately, a CEL is a one-way ticket to a failed inspection! Many CELs are linked to unacceptable levels of certain gases in your exhaust, which is why it matters so much.
It’s easy to ignore a check engine light when your car runs normally, but it typically indicates a problem that will either a) get worse or b) cause a failed emissions inspection. Check it out early to prevent annoyances on inspection day!
Are you due? Fast Lube Plus performs certified North Carolina State Inspections at our locations in Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, and Morrisville. Drop by anytime and our experts will take care of you!
It’s easy to ignore a check engine light when your car runs normally, but it typically indicates a problem that will either a) get worse or b) cause a failed emissions inspection. Check it out early to prevent annoyances on inspection day!
Are you due? Fast Lube Plus performs certified North Carolina State Inspections at our locations in Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, and Morrisville. Drop by anytime and our experts will take care of you!
Fast Lube Plus is proud to have served Wake and Johnston counties for 15+ years. As the area has grown, so have we. And our next step has taken us further south into Wake County, into the town of Fuquay-Varina. Our newest store there is now open for business!
A
bout the Location
Our Fuquay-Varina store joins our existing locations in Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and Garner. The shop sits in the heart of town at 1110 North Main Street, across from Walmart. Its proximity to both historic neighborhoods and new developments mean that we can serve as many residents of the city as possible. Main Street’s connection to US 401 also means that commuters can easily stop by on their way home from downtown or the RTP.
About Us
Fast Lube Plus is a regionally-based, family-owned comprehensive automotive maintenance provider. Operated by a father and son team, our owners Tom and Joe work alongside technicians in each of our locations. Our regular customers know us by name, and soon you will too.
Fast Lube Plus’ services run the gamut from routine oil changes and maintenance to diagnostics, belt repairs, tune-ups, and brakes. We are also a fully certified North Carolina Emissions Inspection station. We treat even routine maintenance with the same care and respect of the most complex job.
About Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina and Southern Wake County are in a unique position. These historically rural communities have bared the brunt of Raleigh’s explosive growth, with Fuquay-Varina doubling in population just since 2000. Much of this is due to the area’s tech industry, particularly in the Research Triangle Park.
With our experience in Raleigh’s other booming suburbs, we know the unique needs of a community on the rise. We understand how to respect old residents while adapting to the needs of transplants. And while we find our daily operations serve a valuable purpose – keeping people on the move – we also respect our place in our communities. Fast Lube Plus gives back through work with the Holly Springs Food Bank, the US Veteran Corps of Cary, and other local charities.
With this new expansion in Fuquay-Varina, we hope to keep a new community on the move!