Is the seller responsible for emissions testing in Colorado?

[Irving]

I'm about to go buy a used car. From what I understand, the seller is responsible for doing the emissions testing. Is this correct? I'm trying to search the web to verify this. Anyone have something bookmarked before I search all night?

[roberth]

No. The DMV will ask the buyer to do an emissions test prior to changing the registration over to the buyers name while the vehicle is under the 'paper plate'.

[Irving]

Hmm, seems I have it backwards then. If that is the case, how can I, as a buyer, be certain that the vehicle I'm buying will pass emissions?

[islandermyk]

I think only dealerships give that option... for obvious reasons.
I think if someone is selling a vehicle should have an updated emissions test to begin with unless the vehicle has been sitting around for years... just my $0.02
Good luck with your purchase [Beer]

[Colorado Osprey]

Hmm, seems I have it backwards then. If that is the case, how can I, as a buyer, be certain that the vehicle I'm buying will pass emissions?

Buyer beware. It may not pass.
You can personally require the seller to have one before you will buy it making it a contingent to the sale. This makes your negotiating price position usually not as good though.

[Irving]

Ugh, buying a used car without much money sucks...

[yankeefan98121]

Hmm, seems I have it backwards then. If that is the case, how can I, as a buyer, be certain that the vehicle I'm buying will pass emissions?

If you're buying from a "lot" then usually they'll have that done for you. If it's a private seller then it's up to the buyer as part of the registration requirement at the DMV. We've had a situation before, the seller we were buying from, has agreed to get the emissions done prior to the sale. Maybe this is an option for you. Discussing the cost of the testing was also a part of that conversation. For our situation it wasn't so much the cost of the testing but the time to get it done. If you're a serious buyer I don't see a situation where the seller would refuse such a request, unless of course it won't pass.

[JohnTRourke]

the law says the seller must provide a current emissions proof.

http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/buy-sell/state-regulations.php

"If the buyer resides in an emissions region (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1185957917898&pagename=Revenue-MV%2FRMVLayout), it is the seller's responsibility to provide a current inspection certificate."

[blacklabel]

the law says the seller must provide a current emissions proof.

http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/buy-sell/state-regulations.php

"If the buyer resides in an emissions region (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1185957917898&pagename=Revenue-MV%2FRMVLayout), it is the seller's responsibility to provide a current inspection certificate."

That's what I was thinking as well.

I know I wouldn't purchase a vehicle without knowing that it would pass emissions.

[jerrymrc]

Ugh, buying a used car without much money sucks...

I will agree. The wife has needed something to replace her old Astro van that made it through 4 kids and over 180,000 miles. We have looked on and off for 5 months. The number of vehicles in the $5K range right at 100K miles that had been driven into the ground was staggering.

The one or two we found that may have worked were gone by the time we got to them. On top of that with the gas prices going up we watch cars that magically increased in price by the week.

But we kept at it. I even started looking at cars that were outside my target.

A couple of weeks ago we found it. 2 owner, 100k miles, Colorado car, always been maintained and serviced and clean as a pin. Had a maintenance log showing everything and a clean carfax. Drives and works like new. $4700 out the door after everything. http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/guns117Medium.jpghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/guns118Medium.jpghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/guns120Medium.jpghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/guns122Medium.jpg

[Rooskibar03]

This is correct. I sell cars here in Colorado and have been for a long time. Seller is on the hook to cover the emission test.

The best way to address this is to go an inspect the car and agree on a sale and price. Drive the car to the E-test location with the seller, or have them follow, whatever works for you both.

Verify the car passes the test before you pay. Seller should pay $25 fee. Make sure you draw up some sort of buyers order/bill of sale that you both sign and keep copies of.





the law says the seller must provide a current emissions proof.

http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/buy-sell/state-regulations.php

"If the buyer resides in an emissions region (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1185957917898&pagename=Revenue-MV%2FRMVLayout), it is the seller's responsibility to provide a current inspection certificate."

[Irving]

Thanks for the info guys.

Jerry, I'm in a similar situation, with similar money to spend, but as of right now, our family has 0 cars. We're currently borrowing one, and I want to drive it as little as possible. I could use my insurance money as a down payment, but with less than 40 hours a week, it will be very tough to make payments. Not to mention my credit just took a big hit as well.

[Tweety Bird]

If buying from a private party, you might want to beware of the way that law is worded. It just states that they provide a "passing emissions inspection certificate." It doesn't state that it has to be recent. If it's more than a month or two old, you might want to put some conditions on it. Have it stated in the Bill of Sale that you have the right of return/refund if it doesn't pass the test. Put a down-payment on the car and withhold the balance, then take it straight to the testing center (take the seller along if necessary). Or, better yet, have them go get a FRESH E-test so you know it'll pass.

Caveat Emptor!

[hammer03]

Interesting. So does that mean people in emissions testing areas just don't buy cars from outside the area? I know if I were selling a car, I wouldn't get or want to pay for an emissions certificate, since El Paso county doesn't require anything.

[Zundfolge]

This is correct. I sell cars here in Colorado and have been for a long time. Seller is on the hook to cover the emission test.

So if I live in a part of the state where emission testing is not required and I'm selling a car to someone in a required testing area that I absolutely guarantee WILL NOT pass emissions, can I have a buyer sign something saying that emissions are their responsibility?

My 1970 Porsche 914 is heavily modified and I don't believe can be made to pass emissions without SIGNIFICANT work (dual carbs instead of original FI, header instead of original heat exchangers, Supertrapp muffler, Fat Performance cam, large valve head).

Here in El Paso county I don't have to get emissions testing, but I was considering selling it ... but if I have to take responsibility for emissions I'll just have to tell people in the Denver Metro area that they can't buy.

Stupid government. [Bang]

[jerrymrc]

Thanks for the info guys.

Jerry, I'm in a similar situation, with similar money to spend, but as of right now, our family has 0 cars. We're currently borrowing one, and I want to drive it as little as possible. I could use my insurance money as a down payment, but with less than 40 hours a week, it will be very tough to make payments. Not to mention my credit just took a big hit as well.

I do understand. I have one small payment on my car but that was all there was. The wife has not worked in years so the old Astro was it. I had been locked into a Pontiac (ya think?) :) but so many were trashed that I started looking at others.

Better to just buy outright and not have to worry about all the crap that comes with financing. Our ins payment was lower with the GP so I added Comp to it. Both of us are very defensive drivers so collision is a joke for us.

Both of us have been run into 3 times each in the last 10 years. She had one and I have never had a chargeable accident in the last 30 years.

One thought might be a used Buick with the 3.8l Just got a coworker to buy one that was a cream puff for $5K for a 2003 with 80K on it. Not the flashiest but very reliable and roomy.

Something like this that might be had for $4K out the door. http://cosprings.craigslist.org/ctd/2440125743.html

Your looking to get the best bang for the buck and not break the bank while driving it.[Coffee]

[Irving]

So if I live in a part of the state where emission testing is not required and I'm selling a car to someone in a required testing area that I absolutely guarantee WILL NOT pass emissions, can I have a buyer sign something saying that emissions are their responsibility?



Of course you can. It has to be a deal between both parties. If you are in an emissions exempt area, you would let people know and if they don't like it, they can pass. That's basically what I plan to do. If they can't show me a recent emissions test, I'll pass. As the buyer, I always have the option to spend my money however I chose, to include buying a car that won't pass emissions.

[Byte Stryke]

beware of Carfaux wording
"as reported to carfax"

I have a totaled and junkyard rebuilt Blazer that has a spotless carfax.
Junkyard marker on many parts to prove it to include the tranny and engine oilpans.

Carfaux is ok for what it is... if its free, thats great. take it to a mechanic anyway.

[Irving]

The cost of taking a car to the mechanic will significantly reduce the amount of money I have to spend.

[AirbornePathogen]

When I bought my new to me (05) Jeep back in Feb, I got a coupon for a free E-test with it, had to have it done within 3 business days though. That was bought from one of the local Jeep dealerships.

[Irving]

I think I'm just going to end up going to a dealership, getting a crappy loan, then refinancing in a few months when my credit goes back up.

[Bowtie]

See this thread

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34085&highlight=emissions&page=2

Sniper has a link and all the info.

[Irving]

I knew I'd seen that info on here before. Thank Bowtie. I think I'm going to try and get a used Honda Element.

[Byte Stryke]

I knew I'd seen that info on here before. Thank Bowtie. I think I'm going to try and get a used Honda Element.

I am so making fun of you now


I mean even more than before
[ROFL1]

[Irving]

No way man, Honda Elements are way ahead of their time. They seat FOUR!

[jerrymrc]

No way man, Honda Elements are way ahead of their time. They seat FOUR!

I am going to be ill. [Flower]

[JohnTRourke]

Get a $500 car (there aren't as many as there used to be thanks to cash for clunkers, but they exist)
POS, runs, lights, etc, all work and holds together,

then don't do a damn thing to it but insure, register it and drive it.
I mean just gas.

should last an easy 6 to 12 months for basically free.

then junk it, buy another one.

$500 cars are great.

[roberth]

Get a $500 car (there aren't as many as there used to be thanks to cash for clunkers, but they exist)
POS, runs, lights, etc, all work and holds together,

then don't do a damn thing to it but insure, register it and drive it.
I mean just gas.

should last an easy 6 to 12 months for basically free.

then junk it, buy another one.

$500 cars are great.

I've done this in the past. Might be a good time to start up again.

[Rooskibar03]

You can sell the car as it (Thumbs up on the car) however I would advertise it as a car that will not pass E-Test. That will weed out people who live in an area that requires it for registration.

If someone decides to purchase the car as a show or track vehicle then make sure your Bill of Sale is well written and worded that the car is being sold AS-IS and will not meet E-Test standards. I would even go as far as to have take that document to a notary with the buyer and sign it there.

You cant have enough CYA when dealing with unknown buyers.



So if I live in a part of the state where emission testing is not required and I'm selling a car to someone in a required testing area that I absolutely guarantee WILL NOT pass emissions, can I have a buyer sign something saying that emissions are their responsibility?

My 1970 Porsche 914 is heavily modified and I don't believe can be made to pass emissions without SIGNIFICANT work (dual carbs instead of original FI, header instead of original heat exchangers, Supertrapp muffler, Fat Performance cam, large valve head).

Here in El Paso county I don't have to get emissions testing, but I was considering selling it ... but if I have to take responsibility for emissions I'll just have to tell people in the Denver Metro area that they can't buy.

Stupid government. [Bang]

[Byte Stryke]

You can sell the car as it (Thumbs up on the car) however I would advertise it as a car that will not pass E-Test. That will weed out people who live in an area that requires it for registration.

If someone decides to purchase the car as a show or track vehicle then make sure your Bill of Sale is well written and worded that the car is being sold AS-IS and will not meet E-Test standards. I would even go as far as to have take that document to a notary with the buyer and sign it there.

You cant have enough CYA when dealing with unknown buyers.


even this will not CYA.
it is state law that any motor vehicle being sold for highway use and registration in an area requiring emissions testing must be able to pass.
doesn't matter what you write in your loose leaf binder.
doesn't matter what you do or don't know.
I went in small circles with a seller about this.
he wound up paying a nice little fine because I couldn't get the blazer tested.

[Zundfolge]

it is state law that any motor vehicle being sold for highway use and registration in an area requiring emissions testing must be able to pass.

This is what I was thinking ... well if the Porsche goes up for sale I'll just put in the ad; WILL NOT SELL TO ANYONE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DENVER METRO AREA OR ANY OTHER AREA WHERE EMISSION TESTING IS REQUIRED.

Of course my brother (who lives in Missouri ... and will soon be moving to Las Vegas) wants me to give him first dibs on the car so that may solve my problem anyway.


Makes me sick that selling cars is getting more difficult than selling guns.

[Graves]

A friend of mine (and resident lurker here) is selling his maxima (MY97-98ish?) and his eddie bauer explorer (about the same year). I'm not sure what he's asking but I wanna say they're in the sub $4k range. I can pm his # if you're interested.

[Irving]

Thanks guys. I went and looked at a few cars tonight. I found a 1999 Isuzu Amigo at a dealership with under 100,000 miles that has piqued my interest. I'm going to back down there tomorrow with my cash and see what I can work out. I'd like to take it to a mechanic to get checked out though. I know that it at least needs shocks and an alignment.

[hammer03]

even this will not CYA.
it is state law that any motor vehicle being sold for highway use and registration in an area requiring emissions testing must be able to pass.
doesn't matter what you write in your loose leaf binder.
doesn't matter what you do or don't know.
I went in small circles with a seller about this.
he wound up paying a nice little fine because I couldn't get the blazer tested.

So all you need to write is "for off highway use only" on there?

[Irving]

I picked this up today. I think it comes with 31's from factory, I have to check. Also, one model comes with a Dana 44 axle in the rear from factory as well, but I don't think it is the model I bought.

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/0622011554.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/0622011555.jpg

[sniper7]

Looks super clean Irving. I like the color too!

[Irving]

Thanks, let's just hope it lasts as long/well as my last car did. I actually paid to have this one checked out, and to my surprise they said it was in really good shape. It's got 97,000 miles and the last place it lived was in Alaska.

My last car I bought with 96,000 miles (same year, '99) and when I totaled it, it had over 174,000. I'd say that was money well spent.