Failed Vehicles

If your vehicle fails the E-Check test, you will be given a list of certified repair shops that can help correct the problem. Ohio EPA licenses repair shops and certifies repair technicians within the seven E-Check counties.

Technicians are trained and certified in areas of emission diagnosis and repairs. The technicians must complete a high-quality training program developed by the Training Repair Industry Advisory Group (TRIAG) and Ohio EPA to become Ohio-certified E-Check repair technicians. Licensed E-Check repair facilities must employ at least one certified E-Check repair technician and maintain the following equipment:

  • Reference materials
  • DVOM or digital multi-meter
  • Vacuum gauge
  • Fuel pressure test kit
  • Carbon cleaner system
  • Three, four or five gas analyzer
  • Scan tool
  • Basic ignition scope with DIS capabilities

A motorist may receive up to three free tests within a 365-day period. On the fourth test, and all tests thereafter, the motorist will be charged $18 for the test. Only one free passing test is permitted per 365- day period.

If a vehicle continues to fail the test, motorists are eligible to receive a waiver, depending on the results of repairs performed on failing vehicles. For information on the waiver process, please go to our page on Waivers, Extensions and Exemptions.

To find out more about Failed Vehicles, click here.

For more information about Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC), click here.

Vehicles That Fail the Gas Cap Pressurization Test

Ohio E-Check will replace faulty or missing gas caps, free of charge, with new functional caps for vehicles subject to the vehicle emissions testing program in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties.

A missing gas cap or one that does not seal properly permits hydrocarbons to escape from the vehicle's gas tank.  A faulty gas cap can allow up to 22 gallons of gasoline to evaporate into the air each year, costing motorists money and polluting the environment.  Hydrocarbons contribute to ground-level ozone pollution commonly referred to as smog.  Smog is unhealthy for anyone to breathe, but especially troublesome for senior citizens, children and people with respiratory or heart conditions.

"By providing free gas caps at E-Check stations, we can remedy most gas cap issues on the spot, saving motorists a return trip and immediately improving air quality," according to Bob Hodanbosi, Chief of the Division of Air Pollution Control at Ohio EPA.

The gas cap replacement program is a motorist convenience that reaps immediate benefits in terms of emissions reductions by shortening the time that vapors can escape from a gas tank.  Gas caps distributed at E-Check testing locations will fit approximately 90 percent of all cars tested.  If a vehicle has a unique gas cap that is not stocked at the testing location, the motorist will receive a $5 gas gift card - the approximate equivalent to the cost of a replacement gas cap.