2002C2

Is/does anyone have an issue with emissions testing in CT. Just went for my biannual inspection and the tech could not get the car to connect. A generic obd-11 works fine. Been going to the same place for years and they have tested the car before. 2002 c2, stock motor. Going to try another location tomorrow. Tech did everything he could including calling the state emissions people. They were supposed to contact me (3weeks ago) and then again after I followed up. Still no response from them.

tsaint117

I’m from CT. Never an issue. But aren’t you exempt now? 20yrs old…

2002C2

20 years for the tax break (which is awesome going from ~$400 to $15 per year), emissions is still 25 IIRC. I got the notification in the mail from dmv.

Corso

Didn't have an issue 2 years ago but mine is due -- will be taking it through in a few weeks. Had no idea we get a tax break at 20yrs. That's fantastic.

2002C2

yes! All cars 20+ years old are valued at $500 flat so you pay against the mill rate where it’s registered. There is some dispute regarding the need to register it as a classic vehicle. My town does not require it though I did re-register it with classic tags.

4Driver4

This might be an immobilizer issue. Did you try locking the car and unlocking then trying again?

On the emissions and tax stuff...

Most CT towns require that you re-register with Classic Car plates to have your assessed value capped at $500.
Emissions exemption is 25 years in CT. Be careful on the CT Emissions website; it references two different model years as being exempt. This year 1999 model year and older are exempt in CT.
Quotes from today:


https://ctemissions.com/explore-program-information

"The following vehicles are exempt from the Connecticut Emissions Program:

• Vehicles younger than four model-years old;
• Model year 1999 and older vehicles;"

https://ctemissions.com/exempt-vehicles
"The following vehicles are exempt from the Connecticut Emissions Program:

• Vehicles younger than four model-years old;
• Model year 1998 and older vehicles;"

2002C2

Closing this out. Met with the CT emissions guy yesterday. Two fold issue - our cars require an extra 15 seconds to make the OBD2 connection due to a system upgrade (normal time is 30 seconds). Second issue was a faulty cable at the test location. Problem solved, car passed. Only one more test in two years before the car is exempt.

De Jeeper

So 100% not your fault. Did u get an appoligy for wasting your time?

wdb

Hmmm. My 2002 targa won't talk to the PA state OBD2 readers either, even though it talks to every other of the 6 or 7 OBD2 readers I've connected to it personally. I have to jump through hoops and pay extra to get an exemption. Maybe this year I'll try the longer connection time trick to see if it helps...

2002C2

nope, no apologies. I wonder how they tested other cars if the cable was bad.

4Driver4

Some of my cars were too old for testing when I bought them, but I've had the distinct pleasure of bringing three cars in for their last tests ever. I call it "graduating" from the CT Emissions Program.
1997 911
1999 M Coupe
1999 Miata

There is no greater joy on earth than you are able to reply to "your next test is two years" with "no, isn't. This was the last one ever."

2002C2

I also have a 1971 MG BGT that has had the pleasure of being exempt for >25 years. Thinking about selling it though since no one drives it much.

4Driver4

Sold mine. Still miss it. It was a cool counterpart to the M Coupe.
Think hard before you pull the trigger on that.

SSDVC

I looked into the Classic Plate and tax break requirement (20+ year old vehicles) when I registered my 2001 C4. In the town where I used to live, I spoke to the town clerk before I got my plates and they told me I would need to get Classic Plate on my car in order to get the tax break. I didn't think that sounded right, so before going through with the registration, I researched the DMV laws, as one of my neighbors had two classics, both running regular CT vanity plates. I then found out that a Classic Plate is not a requirement to get the tax break. The tax break is a CT State Statute, not an individual town one. You only need a valid CT title and sign an affidavit (in my town) stating the car is more than 20 years old. I got and was running regular CT plates and then shifted to Veterans Plates and had no issue getting the tax break. And I am loving the $500 value cap!!


​​​​2011-R-0410 - ASSESSMENT LIMIT ON ANTIQUE VEHICLES"SUMMARY

To be subject to the $500 property tax assessment limit, the law requires a vehicle to (1) be at least 20 years old, (2) be of historical interest, and (3) conform to the manufacturer’s original specifications.

The assessment limit law was first enacted in 1973. It originally applied only to automobiles that (1) were at least 25 years old, (2) were not used for general transportation, and (3) had special Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) license plates. Later changes in both the property tax assessment limit law and the law defining the types of vehicles that qualify for the special DMV plates (1) reduced the minimum age from 25 to 20 years old, (2) extended the assessment limit to antique vehicles other than cars, and (3) allowed vehicles used for general transportation to qualify. The last change was made in 2009.

DEFINITION OF ANTIQUE VEHICLE FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES

By law, the value of an “antique, rare, or special interest motor vehicle” for property tax purposes is limited to $500 (CGS § 12-71(b)). To qualify, a vehicle must meet the statutory criteria required for an antique, rare, or special interest vehicle license plate issued by the DMV. Those criteria are that the vehicle (1) be at least 20 years old, (2) be preserved because of historical interest, and (3) not be modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications (CGS § 14-1(2)).

A vehicle does not need the special plate to qualify for the $500 limit. But, an assessor can require the owner of an antique vehicle that does not have a special plate to provide reasonable documentation that it meets the statutory criteria for an antique vehicle."

4Driver4

Tremendously helpful. Monday morning I will be at the Assessor's office. I still have one vehicle on standard plates that turned 20. Thanks!