California smog and registration questions mk4 jetta tdi

[KAdams]

Hello. I've been looking for a mk4 manual Jetta wagon in California. Pickings are slim, but I'll be patient. I had a question about California smog and registration restrictions on older diesels. Will I be able to transfer ownership without making the emissions requirements stricter? I heard something about the grandfathering expiring if it moved out of the family. Also, will there be any issue if I end up getting one from out of state? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Man you are just asking for a challenge! Everything about that could be hard. Do you actually drive enough to make it worthwhile?

 

[coolusername]

Hello. I've been looking for a mk4 manual Jetta wagon in California. Pickings are slim, but I'll be patient. I had a question about California smog and registration restrictions on older diesels. Will I be able to transfer ownership without making the emissions requirements stricter? I heard something about the grandfathering expiring if it moved out of the family. Also, will there be any issue if I end up getting one from out of state? Thanks in advance for the help.

It depends on where you live. In some counties (based on your address) you only have to smog the car whenever it changes ownership. In most places though you have to get it smogged every two years regardless. Even then, the requirements don't get "stricter", you have to pass the same test each time (which is just an OBD2 plug to make sure all the readiness monitors are set and a quick visual inspection).

If you want the easiest time, get a 1997 or older TDI (so a Mk3 Jetta or a B4 Passat TDI). Those are completely exempt from emissions testing of any kind, and you can do whatever the heck you want to them.

 

[KAdams]

Man you are just asking for a challenge! Everything about that could be hard. Do you actually drive enough to make it worthwhile?

Thanks for the input. Not sure what you mean about driving enough, its just the car I decided I want. But thats why I'm asking. I don't want to get myself into hot water.

 

[KAdams]

It depends on where you live. In some counties (based on your address) you only have to smog the car whenever it changes ownership. In most places though you have to get it smogged every two years regardless. Even then, the requirements don't get "stricter", you have to pass the same test each time (which is just an OBD2 plug to make sure all the readiness monitors are set and a quick visual inspection).

If you want the easiest time, get a 1997 or older TDI (so a Mk3 Jetta or a B4 Passat TDI). Those are completely exempt from emissions testing of any kind, and you can do whatever the heck you want to them.

I forgot about the county requirement. My county does every two years. Will a stock(ish) mk4 pass California smog? I considered the mk3 route, but it will be harder to find one on the south side of 200k miles. I'll keep it in mind though. Thanks

 

[coolusername]

I forgot about the county requirement. My county does every two years. Will a stock(ish) mk4 pass California smog? I considered the mk3 route, but it will be harder to find one on the south side of 200k miles. I'll keep it in mind though. Thanks

If the car is stock, still has its EGR/other emissions stuff, no check engine light, and all the OBD2 emissions monitors are set to "Ready" (you can check this with any basic codescanner), the car will pass smog no problem. If not, well, you have to know a guy. Everyone here acts like living in California with a diesel is impossible but it's really not that bad.


as far as the Mk3 route, I agree they are hard to find. My B4 wagon TDI was the only one in the whole country for sale at that time when I bought it (has 170k right now).

 

[KAdams]

I appreciate the help. Hopefully I'll have one or the other by the end of the year.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

Another thing to keep in mind: spare parts will be easier to find for a Mk4. Tires, too.

 

[KAdams]

Noted. Thanks

 

[bart_dood]

I had my 2006 beetle tdi with BEW smogged a few weeks ago here. I had zero CEL's, they just plugged it in, ran it for 10 mins while I waited and it passed smog. Piece of cake

 

[03TDICommuter]

Hello. I've been looking for a mk4 manual Jetta wagon in California. Pickings are slim, but I'll be patient.

You and me both! If you find 2, drop me a PM

 

[KAdams]

You and me both! If you find 2, drop me a PM

I'll let you know lol

 

[JELLOWSUBMARINE]

Pre DPF! Ca hates diesel. Know any one in a non biannual county? Just sayin'

 

[jetta_coupe_gtd]

Theres a reason I flew to PHX to pickup a MK5 06 Jetta TDI with a manual...

07+ Diesel in CA, forget about it. Too many headaches
00 - 06. Probably the best, if you leave it stock. Smog is a simple 'plug-in' OBD test and as long as monitors are ready and good and no tune. Easy.
98 & 99. Probably a pain as they will plug it in and I believe (not 100% sure on this) they will put it on the rollers too.
97 and older. Literally nothing. The easiest, but also the oldest cars and other challenges like replacement parts.