94 Corolla with 137k miles, check engine light, won't pass smog
So I was trying to get rid of the vehicle and didn't realize I needed to smog before selling it (I'm a very new car owner). So the people who bought the crummy Corolla I picked up told me that check engine light is on now and it won't pass smog. I foresee myself returning their money and getting the car back so I'm thinking, is my only option to junk it for $60? The people I sold it to likes the car and they won't outright give the car back to me. I also completed release of liability but I have a hunch it doesn't absolve my legal obligation to smog it. Any thoughts?
I should also add, the previous owner passed smog. I have a hunch they might have hid the codes and got it to pass from a sketchy smog check business. I just bought the Corolla in mid April.
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Check your local laws. If title cannot transfer without passing a smog test, then you get the car back and they get their money back. Here's a novel idea, why doesn't somebody get it fixed to pass the smog test?
Scan it for codes.
a check engine light 9/10 times is not a reason to junk a Corolla.
It could be as simple as a bad decades-old vacuum hose, bad gas cap, or worn spark plugs. You can check OBD1 codes for clues. If it really cannot be fixed economically get the car back and sell it in a neighboring state that is not as insane inflexible as the Peoples' Republic.
