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Will a car pass emission with a pending code?
My car has a pending code but I have an emissions test coming up. I don’t want to fail it. Will a car pass emission with a pending code?
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yes, a car should still pass emissions with a pending code. There is a difference between pending codes and hard codes.
Pending codes mean that there may be a problem and your vehicle’s computer needs to run more diagnostics. If you let a pending code hang around for multiple cycles, it can become a hard code—and then trigger the CEL or Check Engine Light.
However, if your Check Engine Light is not currently illuminated and there is no visible stored code, you will likely pass the emissions test.
It’s worth buying an OBD scanner for use at home to see. You can use it before you take your vehicle in for the emissions test or any other situation when an unusual code pops up. The cost is approximately $50.
Regular maintenance is a great strategy for prolonging the life of your car and saving money over the long run. A great
car insurance
policy is helpful, too. While your vehicle is getting tested, why not try the Jerry
app and see if you could pay less? The Jerry app can help you compare rates or change your policy in an instant.MORE: How to read car OBD codes
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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