Question reguarding Pennsylvania state safety vehicle inspection....?

Question

I have tried to look online but was unable to find what I am looking for. My inspection is up this month and I am wondering if a "broken" headlight will cause me to fail. I hit a deer back in November and dented the fender and broke the headlight. I fixed the fender so it's not illegal or anything but the headlight is kind of broken. There's only one crack in it and there are no pieces missing. I have it taped with clear packing tape that has held up well during the winter weather.

I see cars in way worse shape everyday so I am assuming it will pass just fine but don't want to find out the hard way when they fail it. I have a garage in mind that may look the other way, and if I need to I can buy the $180 headlight, but if it's not illegal I'm not going to waste my money.

Anyone have any answers feel free to let me know. Thanks!

Answer 1

It's more of a question of where you take the car to be inspected. As long as the headlight emits the manufacturers specified amount of light, then technically it should pass. Some garages will get anal about it and say it's a potential risk. If you're real worried about it however, junk yards are friends to people who wants parts for little to no money. As long as your car isn't a custom one, or a rare one,  you should have no trouble finding a new headlight. If junk yards aren't your fancy, eBay is the next best choice. Feel free to IM or email me with the year, make, and model of your vehicle, as well as what side the headlight needed is. Make sure to keep in mind that if you do take it to a professional garage, most will not give you the inspection fee back if it fails.

Answer 2

Invest in the repair. IT WILL NOT PASS!

Answer 3

A broken headlight will probably fail a State Inspection, unless your inspector "looks the other way."  Even if you get passed, if you later get stopped for any other violation, the police may cite you for faulty equipment.  I would recommend that you find a friend who can help you get a used headlight from a junk yard cheap, and replace it.

Answer 4

they can maybe tow it if u r far enough and if they have a tow or someone becuase u can get pulled over most likly and rly now in Pennsylvania so yeah tow it there if u r from 35- 60 it may cost $125 at the least so good Luck!!!

Answer 5

Check ebay for a replacement headlight for your car and model year. It should be much cheaper there than at a dealer or automotive store. I'm afraid the cracked light could cost you more in fees and fines than a replacement. If you were able to fix up the fender then you probably have the expertise to change the headlight assembly yourself and save all the labor.

Answer 6

it won't pass. aaahhh for the old days when you could go to wal-mart plunk down $3.99 for a headlight and put it in yourself in about 10 miniuts. but they didn't look nifty.

Answer 7

i think you should be fine, btw I hate all the PA driving and auto rules

Answer 8

You still have a defective vehicle.

The problem is the head light does not match factory specs.

Someone may pass it but the cops could always disagree and that will leave you getting a ticket for this problem and then having to repair it in order to bring the car back to normal

Answer 9

It won't pass.  My boyfriend is a certified Ford mechanic in PA & I can assure that if it does pass it's not legit.

Answer 10

Here is the law and it wont pass..............

(1) Both lamps in the two-headlamp system shall be of Type II construction consisting of high beam and low beam. One lamp shall be located on each side of front of motor vehicle.

   (2)  In the four-headlamp system, two lamps shall be of Type II construction and two lamps shall be of Type I construction. Type I lamps consist of a high beam only. One of each type shall be located on each side of the front of the motor vehicle.

   (3)  The headlamp low beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 7,500.

   (4)  The headlamp high beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 10,000.

   (5)  A headlamp shall be aimed to comply with inspection procedure of this subchapter.