What Happens at a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA?
Everyone with a car needs to visit a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, for a safety inspection before they register a vehicle and for emissions testing before renewing the operating registration.
Not sure what to expect when you go? Here is an overview.
Safety Inspection
The safety inspection is required for every vehicle before you can register it in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The safety inspection must be done annually. The work must be done by technicians certified by the state. That’s why you need to find an official Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, like Wiygul Automotive Clinic.
The cost. The cost is $16 for SUVs, passenger vehicles, pickups, motorhomes, and trailers. For a motorcycle, it’s just $12.
The time. In most cases, the entire process takes under an hour.
The purpose. The goal of the visit to a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, is to make sure that every vehicle on the road operates properly, ensuring the safety of the driver, his passengers and the others on the road.
What it covers. The safety inspection at a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, covers 24 points, all mandated by law. Here is a list.
- Brakes, including parking brake
- Horn
- Mirrors, both rear view and side view
- Lights: headlights, exterior lights, turn signals and the light over the license plate
- Airbags at the driver’s seat
- Driver side seatbelt and doors
- Tires, including the rims and the wheels
- Fuel system
- Exhaust system
- Air pollution control system
- Steering system
- Suspension system
- Floor pan
- Windshield, window glass
- Wipers and defrosters, both front and rear
- Engine belts and fluids
- Hood latch
The process is straightforward. The inspectors must be properly trained and certified as VA State Emissions and Inspection technicians.
If there are problems. If the technician finds a problem, you have 15 days to fix it. When you take your vehicle in again to get re-inspected, the cost is just $1.
If you have questions. Do you have questions about the process or about how it will impact your vehicle in particular? Many people do. That’s why it is helpful to take your car to the Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, operated by Wiygul Automotive Clinic. The technicians are all ASE-certified. They have the training and experience to answer your questions.
Common questions include:
- window tinting
- high-efficiency, low-emission vehicles
- neon lights
- trailers
- bumper heights
Emissions Inspection
Northern Virginia is dealing proactively with pollution. The cause of most of it is vehicle emissions. That’s the reason the region has instituted regular emissions inspections every two years at a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, like the one that Wiygul Automotive Clinic operates.
Who gets tested? Mandatory testing is required in the counties of Arlington, Loudoun, Stafford, Fairfax and Prince William. It is also required by the cities of Manassas, Falls Church, Alexandria, Manassas Park and Fairfax.
How do you know you need testing? The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will notify you if you need an emissions test before you can renew your registration.
What vehicles usually need testing? Every vehicle does except if they fit into one of these categories:
- more than 25 years old
- diesel-powered
- powered by clean fuel
- motorcycles
- qualified hybrid vehicles
- titled for the first time in VA with a Manufacturer’s Certification of Origin, MCO
- new vehicles titled for the first time do not need testing for the first two year registration period
What is the cost? Emissions testing is $28, good for two years.
What Are the Benefits of Official VA Testing?
Getting your vehicle tested does more than keep you legal and save you from a fine. It can provide peace of mind. Whether it is a safety inspection or an emissions testing, your car is looked over by a skilled technician.
He can find problems early so you can get them fixed. It means you get a heads-up before a major problem occurs. This saves time and money and keeps you and your passengers safer.
Save the Air, Stay Healthy
There are wide implications to the testing. A clean, safe car is much easier on the environment. Cars and vehicles on the road are the principle cause of air pollution in this country. In fact, about 33% of the pollution causing problems for the air in this country comes from tailpipe emissions.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, vehicles that aren’t well maintained or tuned up produce far more pollution than vehicles that get regular checkups.
How does this affect you and your family? Car emissions in the air are directly related to cases of respiratory problems, throat irritation, chest pains, difficulty breathing, congestion, and nausea.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Inspections and Testing?
You will get fined if you don’t have a valid safety inspection sticker on your vehicle. No extensions are offered for this. Each sticker expires on the last day of the month, whether it is a weekday or a weekend.
If you are pulled over, you will get a ticket, and you must pay a fine. This also is recorded on your driving history.
If you get an inspection but the technician finds a problem, you have 15 days to fix it and get re-inspected. If you don’t get it fixed within that period, you can receive a summons.
Trust ASE-Certified Mechanics
When you take your car into a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, operated by Wiygul Automotive Clinic, you know that it will be looked at by an ASE-certified mechanic. All the technicians are AAA-approved.
He has the training and the experience to recognize problems in your car, whether it is under the hood, in the suspension system or with the fuel system. That’s because he is thoroughly up-to-date with the latest tools, best practices, and technology when it comes to all types of vehicles.
If you have questions about how the testing and inspection relates to the specifics of your vehicle, the fully trained mechanics at Wiygul Automotive Clinic can give you an accurate answer. If your vehicle needs work done before it can pass the test, the mechanics can schedule it.
When you bring your car or truck to the Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA operated by Wiygul Automotive Clinic, your life is simplified. Get the inspection, get answers, and get it fixed, all in one spot.
Why Choose Wiygul Automotive Clinic?
Wiygul Automotive Clinic is staffed by mechanics who know what they are doing. All are ASE-certified, members of the Goodyear Network and approved by AAA. You aren’t dealing with people who do this for extra money. The mechanics at Burke do this for a living.
They are constantly updating their skillsets, learning about new tools and technology. They understand how to work on a wide range of vehicles, from the newest SUVs to older sedans. Whatever type of vehicle you have, Burke understands how to keep it working in peak condition.
When you take your vehicle to the Wiygul Automotive Clinic Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, you will be comfortable while the mechanics do the inspection and testing. Burke has a relaxing waiting area, with free Wi-Fi and coffee.
If you need more work done, it can be scheduled and often fixed right away. When you drive off, you will have your safety sticker in place.
Trust Professionals
Here at Wiygul Automotive Clinic, we take pride in serving the local community. Our team of professionals has the tools, equipment, and knowledge to keep all of your vehicles safe and running properly.
We also want to make your visit affordable and convenient. That’s why we let you schedule an appointment simply by filling out the contact form on our website.
You can also sign up for special offers, delivered directly to your inbox. Or check the website under the Special Offers tab.
Wiygul Automotive Clinic has been helping local drivers since 1996. We are members of the community, just like you. That’s why we support a wide range of local groups, including:
- Booster clubs at Robinson, Lake Braddock, Paul VI and WT Woodson high schools
- George Mason University
- Clark C. Griffith League
- American Cancer Society
- Vehicles for Change
- T. Reed Memorial Fund
- Matthew Center for Children with Special Needs
- IHFR Foundation—In Hope Freedom Rings Scholarship
Wiygul Automotive Clinic offers a range of services to keep all your vehicles in tip-top condition. These include:
- Goodyear, Kelly and Dunlop tires
- Tire maintenance and inspection
- Brake service
- Muffler and exhaust system work
- Engine repair
- Suspension and alignment
- Electrical service
For the most reliable and professional inspection and testing at a Virginia Inspection Station in Burke, VA, come to the one at Wiygul Automotive Clinic today.
