Are you driving an older vehicle in the Antelope Valley and considering an upgrade? The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) offers a program that not only helps you get rid of your old car but also puts cash in your pocket. This is the Antelope Valley Cash for Cars Program, a voluntary initiative designed to improve air quality by removing older, more polluting vehicles from the roads. If you’re wondering how you can benefit from this program, especially concerning smog checks, you’ve come to the right place.
Understanding the Antelope Valley Cash for Cars Program
The Antelope Valley Cash for Cars Program, officially known as the Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR) Program, provides an incentive for residents to retire their older, operational vehicles. This program is a local effort by the AVAQMD and is separate from any state-run initiatives. By participating, you’re contributing to cleaner air in the Antelope Valley while receiving compensation for your vehicle. The program purchases eligible vehicles, which are then dismantled.
Eligibility Requirements for the Cash for Cars Program
To participate in the Antelope Valley Cash for Cars Program, your vehicle must meet specific criteria. These requirements are in place to ensure the program effectively targets older, higher-emission vehicles. Here’s a breakdown of what’s needed for your vehicle to be eligible:
Vehicle Model Year
Your car must be a 1998 model year or older. This includes passenger cars and light-duty trucks, SUVs, and vans with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
DMV Registration History
The vehicle needs to be currently registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as an operable vehicle. It must have been registered for at least 24 consecutive months prior to the sale date to the program, with an address within the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District. Smog checks, as required by the DMV, must be up to date for the vehicle to be considered registered.
There are some exceptions to the 24-month rule:
- If your vehicle was in planned non-operational status, it may still be eligible if the non-operational period was for two months or less within the 24-month registration period and occurred at least three months before the sale date.
- If your registration has lapsed for less than 181 days during the previous 24 months, and all fees and penalties are paid, the vehicle can be eligible if registered for at least 90 days immediately before the sale date.
The program will verify registration history through DMV records. You can obtain your DMV registration history online for your convenience.
Vehicle Title
A clear California title with no liens is required. This ensures a straightforward transfer of ownership.
Smog Requirements: Navigating the “Re Smog” Aspect
The smog check is a crucial part of the eligibility process, directly relating to the “re smog” aspect of selling your car through this program. Here’s what you need to know about smog requirements:
- No Smog Check Waivers: Your vehicle cannot be operating under a Smog Check repair cost waiver or economic hardship extension.
- Passing Smog Checks: Your vehicle must have passed its most recent biennial Smog Check required by the California DMV.
- Smog Check Timing:
- If your vehicle is 61 to 90 days away from its next required Smog Check, a smog inspection is not required for program eligibility. However, if you choose to get one within this timeframe, it must be passed.
- If your vehicle is within 60 days of its next required Smog Check, it must undergo and pass a Smog Check inspection without any waivers or extensions. You’ll need to provide documentation from a licensed Smog Check station to confirm compliance.
These smog requirements ensure that the program is indeed removing vehicles that are likely to be higher polluting and potentially might fail future smog checks, hence the relevance of “re smog” in the context of this cash for cars initiative.
Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Even if your vehicle meets the above criteria, it will still undergo a physical inspection at the dismantler site. Your vehicle must:
- Be driven to the dismantler site under its own power.
The dismantler will check the following:
- Body and Structure: All doors, hood, dashboard, windshield, one bumper, and all side/quarter panels must be present and in place.
- Interior: Driver’s seat and interior pedals must be present and operational.
- Mechanical: Vehicle drivability should not be affected by body, steering, or suspension damage. The exhaust system must be present.
- Lights and Glass: One headlight, one taillight, one brake light, and one side window glass must be present.
- Emissions Control: The emission control system should not show obvious signs of tampering, such as a missing catalytic converter.
Vehicle Inspection Test: Proving Operability
Finally, to ensure the vehicle is indeed operational, it will undergo a simple driving test:
- Engine Start: The engine must start readily using the keyed ignition system, without needing starting fluids or booster batteries.
- Driving Test: The vehicle must be driven forward and in reverse for at least 25 feet each under its own power.
How to Sell Your Car and Participate in the Program
Ready to trade in your old car for cash and contribute to cleaner air in Antelope Valley? Here’s how to proceed:
- Check Eligibility: Review all the requirements detailed above to ensure your vehicle qualifies.
- Contact Coast Auto Salvage: Call Coast Auto Salvage at (661) 942-3737. They are the program operators and will determine your vehicle’s eligibility.
- Program Coordination: Coast Auto Salvage will handle all the necessary paperwork, payment, and answer any questions you may have.
By participating in the Antelope Valley Cash for Cars Program, you’re taking a proactive step towards environmental responsibility while benefiting financially. Don’t let your old car just sit around – turn it into cash and cleaner air for your community today!
