Emissions in Massachusetts

[mdepot]

Hi Folks,



I live in Massachusetts and I was planning to buy a new 3500 last year but the HD engine wasn't available in my state due to emissions restrictions. (Mass is a CARB state like California for you non-locals. )



This year I'm shopping again. I found the perfect truck sitting on a lot just over the line in New York. The problem is this truck doesn't have the "California Emissions" line on the window sticker like all the ones in my state. I asked a few dealers about this, and I've gotten three different answers.



The dealer in New York says they are all 50 state certified now, and I won't have any problem registering it in Mass, and in fact they have sold other trucks to people in Mass.



A dealer in Mass tells me it has to have the CA emissions to register it in Mass, unless it's considered a "used vehicle" by having a certain amount of mileage on it.



Yet another sales guy told me dealers in Mass have to order the trucks with CA emissions, but if a Mass resident buys an out of state truck that doesn't have it, they can still register it.



Knowing that TDR members usually know a bit more than the average sales guy, I thought I would ask here. Does anyone have a definitive answer on this? Thanks

 

[Bertram65]

I am pretty sure it has to explicitly have the MA/CA emmisions if you buy it new or you cannot register it, used it has to have at least 7500 miles, it is in the VIN so they will know if it comes from another state. Where in MA are you?

 

[nickleinonen]

any truck built in 04 or newer will be a 600 series engine... they were designed to be 5 states emissoins engines [cali, mass, ny, maine, ct?] and they are the same engines sold nation wide... the only difference between one sold in a 5 state and one in a non 5 state is i think the window sticker... so if you can find a new truck in mass now, it should be good to go... just look for a 325hp sticker on the valve cover and engine mounted fan shroud. .

 

[Bertram65]

any truck built in 04 or newer will be a 600 series engine... they were designed to be 5 states emissoins engines [cali, mass, ny, maine, ct?] and they are the same engines sold nation wide... the only difference between one sold in a 5 state and one in a non 5 state is i think the window sticker... so if you can find a new truck in mass now, it should be good to go... just look for a 325hp sticker on the valve cover and engine mounted fan shroud. .

All new trucks may all have the same emmsisions package but I believe MA and other states like it require the truck to be designated for them, this is in the VIN. If the truck is in MA new at a dealer of course it will be MA compliant.

 

[Matt400]

No difference in the emissions, just the sticker. However that little sticker may mean the difference of a smooth transaction vs a nightmare.

I would copy the info down and take it to your registration office and ask the folks that have the power to turn you away after you bought the truck.



If they say you are good to go, get their name and be sure to see "that" same person when you register.

 

[GCross]

You must have the CARB specification to register in a CARB state. When I was waiting for mine I called DC to see what the holdup was and they told me that all CARB trucks have to be smog tested and certified, which took additional time. If not going to a CARB state they are spot checked. Mine came with a certificate stating "THIS VEHICLE CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA". and DMV asked to see it. I bought it in Idaho. If you buy an out of state truck without the CARB you'll probably never get it registered in MA. When I wanted the HO I was going to register it to an LLC in Montana, but just as I was about to order the 600 was released so I didn't need to.



-George-

 

[mdepot]

Ok, here's what I found out...



Mass requires certain verbiage to appear on the certificate of origin. If the certificate of origin is not available (as in the vehicle was previously titled), an RMV official has to visually inspect your Vehicle Emission Control Information Label under the hood (commonly called the CARB stickers. ) Either the certificate of origin or the emissions label must have a statement indicating the vehicle complies with Massachusetts or California emissions standards:



Statements that comply:



* This vehicle has a California emission system

* This vehicle meets/satisfies Massachusetts emission standards

* This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in Massachusetts

* This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in 50 states



Statements that do not comply:



* This vehicle meets/satisfies Federal emission standards

* This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in 49 states

* This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in New York or Vermont

* A dealership certification stamp

* No statement



The above only applies to vehicles with 7500 or less miles on the odometer. If you have more than that, it doesn't matter and you can register a non-complaint vehicle no problem. This allows you to buy a non-compliant used car from out of state. Another exception is if you already owned a non-compliant vehicle prior to moving to Massachusetts.



Today I also saw a dealer invoice with a destination of Boston:

T01 BOSTON DAA 0 10

A01 BOSTON - PPA 0 160

which also had a "Federal Emissions" line:

NAA Federal Emissions 0 0



So I suspect that "California Emissions" on the window sticker was what was required before, and now perhaps the "Federal Emissions" will meet the 50 states compliance rule above. I'll post more as find out.