In November 2011, we purchased a used automobile from an auto mechanic that also sells used cars. He...

1. State of Connecticut Emissions Testing on Used Automobiles
In November 2011, we purchased a used automobile from an auto mechanic that also sells used
cars. He is a licensed Connecticut dealer.
We were told that the vehicle had to be registered, and that his dealership would get the emissions
testing done because it was due.
Within a few days, the vehicle was ours. We drove home happily in our new-to-us ride.
The check engine light was on the entire way home. The next day we called to complain because we
had bought the vehicle with a used vehicle warranty. It was not sold "as is". The dealership was
really thorough about it fixed it for us for free. Then two more times within the warranty period, the
check engine light came on and both times the dealership fixed the problems. Finally, when the
warranty expired, the check engine light came on again so we took it back to the dealership. They
charged us over $600 for repairs. They claimed the entire engine had to be taken apart and put back
together and we got a great deal for the time they put in it. All the while claiming they did this for us
as a favor and would have charged us a great deal more if we hadn't been a customer of their
dealership.
Then, while traveling on a Connecticut highway in the vehicle with my children and dog, the van
started smoking from under the front hood. I pulled over on the side of the highway and called 911.
There was smoke coming out from the bottom of the van by now too. My family ran over to a grassy
embankment and sat down to wait for help.
Pretty soon a state police officer saw us stranded and came to help. But to my dismay, he told me to
get back in the vehicle and start driving. My children were very reluctant. I explained to the officer
that the van looked like it was going to catch on fire. The officer told me that he didn't see anything
wrong and to just start driving.
We drove about one-quarter of a mile and the van started pouring out smoke. I couldn't see to drive.
All I did see were the flashing lights behind me of the state police officer's car and the officer
summoning me to pull over again.
I stopped immediately and he told me to go to the nearest exit where we waited for a towing
company in a large parking lot.
At the repair service facility, we were told, wherever we had work done on the vehicle prior to that,
they forgot to different air pollution types put a bolt back and it caused parts and fluids to come out
of the vehicle. That was what had caused the problem. But the new bill was almost $800 for more
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done to the vehicle.
For the past two years, the vehicle has been running smoothly. Then just two months ago, the check
engine light came back on. We took it to two different repair facilities to get a quote. The first
facility said they could not determine why the light was on. The second facility told us that it was a
oxygen sensor.
We received a letter from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles claiming the registration is

2. due at the end of November, but we must go through emissions first.
Our vehicle failed emissions. We were told to take it to a certified specialist to get repairs and then
bring it back through emissions.
Within a couple of days however, we received a notice from the Connecticut Department of
Emissions explaining that we owe a late fee for noncompliance of emissions. I called the number on
the form to protest explaining we never received a notice other than the registration renewal which
was not overdue.
We were told that the emissions was overdue on the vehicle. In fact, it's so overdue that the vehicle
hasn't been through emissions since 2009.
This means that the dealer where we bought the vehicle never put it through emissions. How then
could the State of Connecticut register the vehicle at all if emissions were not compliant?
Upon asking this question of the Emission
Department, I was told that they have a law in the
Connecticut State Statutes which addresses this,
but there is no consequence or penalty for not
complying. In other words, it's not ok for a dealer
to register a car that has not passed emissions. But,
there are no repercussions for registering a car
that has not passed emissions. In fact, the penalty
falls to the owner. That would be me.