AirCare = our emmissions testing rip-off here in British columbia -
http://www.aircare.ca/ For 1998 and newer cars they just hook up a OBD reader to the vehicle and verify that there are no errors recorded in the system, and that the car runs through it's own diagnostics cleanly. For older vehicles they analyze the exhaust with a sniffer. And for both types of vehicles they only charge $45 every 2 years.Â
Now that my car was just run through the test, one of my neighbours informed me that AirCare is being closed down in September. Glad to see it gone - it was a glorified tax grab, and a giant waste of time.
You sure it's 1998 and newer? usually it's '96+
But I agree with having vehicles at least inspected to be on the roads. For most people to actually see the condition of cars on the road today...I think they would agree. There are many cars that have no reason to be on the roads, which IMO that is unsafe. Making cars have inspections takes care of that. But of course you have shops that will rip people off and say they need this or that when they really don't. But that is no different than going to most dealers now days.