emission question 2003 Honda Accord
 

Question: Would a 2003 Honda Accord w/ 165,000 miles fairly well maintained from Pennsylvania pass CA emissions? My niece is moving to LA and wants to take her beloved Honda.......

I just bought a 2003 Accord with 159k, for a beater/runner. I love this car !!!! Sorry to hijack.
I would think , as long as there is no CEL, you should be in good shape .

CEL????

Will it need any inspection other than emissions?

check engine light

smog inspection is required, expect it should pass unless its smoking or way behind on service.

Thanks.

Should be a slam dunk.

Buy (or borrow from FLAPS) a cheap OBD2 scanner and check there are no codes.

Thanks.

Generally speaking, California emission (passing) requirements are of a higher standard than the rest of the states with Colorado coming in at a close second. As said above if the engine is sound, running well with no CEL 'on' odds are good especially with that make that it will pass.

Really only way to know is take it there, and test it. Also generally speaking, vehicles that are 12 -15 years or older have more relaxed requirements because of age.

If I recall correctly my old '02 Accord (153k) had to be run on the rollers when tested for smog last time it was checked. Haven't had the car for a while now and memory is getting old, so could be wrong on that.
I'd put a new set of plugs in it, a new air filter element and change the oil and it should be OK.
Be sure to tell her to warm up the car good before going to get it checked. Hot cats work better.
And yes, they will check to see if the Check Engine Light (CEL) actually lights up when you turn the key to 'ON' without starting the engine.

Might want to crawl underneath to make sure the cat is still on the car.
Here in Mi, a lot of older cars have had them removed, no emission checks here.
My 98 Prelude does not have one.

Thanks for input...... need to discuss w/ her Dad.

Not sure about PA, but I think CA still requires an 'approved' cat to pass plus all the original equipment or a waiver stamp from a gold shield test-only station.
(even if everything is burning super clean)
Some aftermarket cats will not pass go.
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcatdbase.htm

Just a note in nomenclature:
Everything after 1995-6 is the intuitive and nosy OBDII system and the CEL is more commonly called a MIL.
"Malfunction Indicator lamp" or "mother in law".

Pa requires a cat, and any and all emissions equipment that the vehicle was originally outfit with. Even in the non emissions counties, we have to do a visual of all the emissions equipment to make sure it is all there, and not been tampered with . This is all part of the regular safety inspection .

They'll also check the gas cap as it's part of the system too.