Composite vehicles

Customized vehicle inspection

Composite vehicles

Customized vehicle inspection

What is a composite vehicle?

Any motor vehicle composed or assembled from several parts of other motor vehicles, or the identification and body contours of which are so altered that the vehicle no longer bears the characteristics of any specific make of motor vehicle. Any vehicle not assembled by a manufacturer licensed as such in the state of Connecticut is classified as a composite motor vehicle.

Please note:

Composite motor vehicles must be transported on a flat-bed trailer or car carrier to the inspection site (not to be driven or towed; no wheel of the vehicle may touch the ground) except if validly registered in another state or if the owner is a licensed dealer or repairer. If the vehicle is validly registered and titled out of state as "composite", then only a courtesy inspection is required at no charge. Wethersfield inspection lane only.

Inspection
Composite inspections are done at the Wethersfield inspection lane between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note: all lanes will be closed from noon to 1 p.m.)


Items needed for inspection
Bring either: 

  • The Certificate of Titles of all vehicles used for major component part. All composite vehicles are exempt from an emissions test.

Or

  • One title, plus receipts for the parts of the other vehicles used. If the parts are from used vehicles, make sure the receipts specify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

No title is needed for non-major component parts (examples of major parts are: engine, cowls, transmission, frame, doors, trunk lid, front and rear fenders, and quarter panels). Sales tax will be based on or credited from the receipts. 

Plus

At the time of inspection, the inspector will assign a VIN. The year assigned to the vehicle will be the year in which the vehicle was built or the year of a previously manufactured vehicle that it most closely resembles. On your registration and title documents, the make will be specified as "Composite."

For more information about what inspectors will be looking for during the inspection, review the composite vehicle information packet.

 

How much does it cost?
$88
(A fee of $50 is charged for the VIN assignment)

 

Emissions systems requirements
All composite vehicles (except motorcycles) presented for a composite inspection are required to be equipped with the following emissions systems based on the year of manufacture of the engine used in construction.

Emissions controls must match the year of the engine used in the composite vehicle. Documented proof of engine year must be provided by the applicant. This information will be verified for accuracy and the presence of all required components will be verified during the inspection.


Note:

This requirement will not apply to vehicles with engines purchased prior to August 1, 2008. Documented proof of engine year and purchase date must still be provided at the time of inspection.

 


All light-duty vehicles with gasoline engines were equipped with the controls indicated below (Lt. Duty = below 6001 lbs. GVWR till 1978 & below 8501 lbs. GVWR after):
 
Year of Engine Emissions Controls Required of All Vehicles That Year
 
Pre-1966: None
 
1966-1970: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor
 
1971–1978: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System
 
1979–1988: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System, and CAT
 
1989–1995: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensor
 
1996–present: PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection
 
All medium-duty vehicles (under 10,001 lbs. GVWR but greater than Lt. duty till 2004 then under 14,001 but greater than Lt. duty) with gasoline engine were equipped with the controls indicated below:
 
Pre-1966: None
 
1966–1979: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor
 
1980–1984: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System
 
1985–1992: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System
 
1993–2004: PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensor
 
2005-present: PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection