Visual Anti-Tampering Check
What is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check?
The Visual Anti-Tampering Check is a visual inspection for the presence of emission
control components that were installed on a vehicle by the manufacturer.
How is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check performed?
A certified technician will look for the presence of the following emission control devices:
•
Catalytic converter,
•
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve,
•
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve,
•
Fuel inlet restrictor,
•
Air pump, and
•
Evaporative control system components such as vapor canisters and lines.
The certified technician will also determine if these devices are properly connected and
if they are the correct type for the vehicle being inspected. These components may be
original vehicle equipment or an equivalent aftermarket replacement component
meeting the same standards. Only those components (listed above) that were part of
the original certified vehicle configuration are subject to this portion of the inspection. If
a component was not originally on a vehicle at the time of manufacturer, it will pass
inspection without it.
What constitutes tampering?
The rule of thumb when it comes to emissions systems is that any modification that
changes the vehicle from a certified configuration to a non-certified configuration is
considered tampering. This applies to both vehicle owners and repair facilities and is
therefore a Federal offense. Replacing a catalytic converter with a straight pipe is one
traditional example of tampering. Likewise, overriding the OBD system through the use
of high-tech defeat devices, non-certified computer chips, etc., would also be
considered tampering.
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