ok so i took my car to a chicago area EPA smog test place so i can have it tested at california standards so i can renew my reg for cali because i am not staying in chicago .
anyways, i am assuming because my car is greymarket, they were unable to enter my vin number in their software. what gives, In california i was able to take the test, though i had to go to state run centers. this chicago one is state run. i even showed them my reg papers and my last passed test.
anyone else with grey market have this issue
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1985 500SEL Euro Nautic Blue
1998 S500 Brilliant Silver
2001 S500 Almadine Black
2005 C320wz Granite Grey
MAKE A SMOG MECHANIC YOUR BRST FRIEND. Find a similar on like your and switch the Lincense plate and get it smog.
uhh yeah sure, genius, ill switch the VIN number too while im at it.
the car is going to florida in july for 4 yrs, then calif after then, so i do need to get it done asap,
dmv is already paid just need to send in the smog cert
You don't know what trouble is untill you attempt to register a Grey Market Benz in CA.
2 yrs ago..I bought a 82'500SEC off E-Bay & out of SoCal.
It had "just expired" Ca. tags & a Ca. pink slip & registration.
All of those FACTS made no difference to the CAL Smog boys..
They couldn't find a record of the car..I wrote DMV & received the cars History & 4 of the 7 prievious owners address's.
Still the Smog Boys would do nothing.
The car even had the required exhaust equipment but it all fell on deaf ears of the Smog Boys.
I ended up posting it on CraigsList for Oregon.
It sold,I made money,but I was ROBBED from enjoying this 81K/AMG-kit/500-sec.
My advice to you...& I know its gunna hurt..
SELL IT in a State that isn't so in your face about Smog.
The California DMV is paid, you plan on keeping the car registered and tagged in California although it will be in Illinois until July and in Florida for four years after that.
You’re trying to get the car tested at a Federal facility rather then an Illinois facility.
So far so good?
I do know that grey market importers must have the car DOT and state compliant so it can be registered. Perhaps the Euro VIN is only in the California database and the Federal database only has US market VINs.
its already registered in cali, so im good to go with that. I dont know, maybe 15- 20 yrs ago when dad bought it, they may have had an issue but all has been well. as long as i took it to a place that knew the car, all has been good. Problem is now is that i live out of cali, atleast for next 4, 5 yrs during residency. Cali wants a new smog every 2 yrs right but car is in chicago, so i heard i can get it smoged here at cali standards. so thats what i tried to do, but their softwaire woulndt accept my vin number . dunno wha t gives
jdc, yes its a cali registered car. in october my reg expired so i paid the dues ( a little late) but knowing i was gonna move i didnt wanna switch to IL reg and license, plus if i did, id have to change titile, buy the car from pops and yada yada hassle.
i am plannig on driving the car in miami, its my daily driver.
the smog center i took it too is illinois only place they use, the epa has set up centers for peopel to smoke their cars, for free, they said test takes 3 minutes. quite different that cali rules.
If you’re going to drive it in Florida you must title the car in Florida.
The good news is there are no emissions tests here. If the paperwork’s in order (bill of sale or out of state title or the like showing it’s yours) you just sign the insurance affidavit, pay the tax, and get the tag over the counter at the county tax office. There are no safety inspections, either. It’s real easy buying and registering cars here.
Vehicle: ML320,C230, VTX1800, Eldorado, F250, Bayliner, Mountain Bike, etc...
Location: San Bernardino Ca
Posts: 554
RE: grey market smog Q
Quote:
vdubpower - 3/11/2006 9:39 PM
its already registered in cali, so im good to go with that. I dont know, maybe 15- 20 yrs ago when dad bought it, they may have had an issue but all has been well. as long as i took it to a place that knew the car, all has been good. Problem is now is that i live out of cali, atleast for next 4, 5 yrs during residency. Cali wants a new smog every 2 yrs right but car is in chicago, so i heard i can get it smoged here at cali standards. so thats what i tried to do, but their softwaire woulndt accept my vin number . dunno wha t gives
oh, and this car will never ever be sold
I don't know how long it has been since you had a car smogged in California but when it is smogged the certificate is sent to the DMV electronically. Therefore you will have to smog it here. Federal standards are not as strict as California standards and will not be accepted. Smog certificates from other states are not accepted here. There are a shit load of new smog laws on the books as af this year. Your VIN is not going to show up in Chicago when it is in the system here in California.
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