Do i need airbags to pass a safety inspections with a '95 saturn?

Question

i get to buy my sisters saturn for $300 but there are no air bags and i dont know if i need them to pass state safety inspections for Missouri

Answer 1

If air bags came as standard issue equipment the answer is yes and they must be functional. If the Saturn did not come with air bags the annwer is no.

Answer 2

It depends on where you live because there are some states that do not require the airbags to work or even be in a car that was designed for them, call your local department of motor vehicles office....

I have also be inspecting all types of vehicles for over 30 years and in Texas it is not required.....

Update for the state of Texas.........

05.01 Inspect Every Passenger Car For: (Listed in suggested order of inspection)

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility

1. Horn

2. Windshield Wipers

3. Mirror

4. Steering

5. Seat Belts

6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)

7. Tires

8. Wheel Assembly

9. Exhaust System

10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)

11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)

12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

14. License Plate Lamp (1)

15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)

16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)

17. Head Lamps (2)

18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number

19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating

20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

Answer 3

If the car was manufactured with them you won't pass your inspection with out them...

...unless, of course one can't tell.

Air bags are very expensive to replace, and oftentimes it's not done exactly right. Like sometimes they won't really be there or be functional. If the dashboard light stays on indicating there is a problem with them you won't pass.

If someone figured out how to bypass the system it'll show you have them and you'll pass. They can be hard to inspect to see if they're really there and functional...