If a car has no "Check Engine Light" on, should it pass a state emission test? Specifically, I'm hoping my '92 Civic 2wd wagon will. Since I'm a geezer, I get 5,000 miles annually w/o needing an inspection. But there are too many places I need to go to be so encumbered.

 

Depends on the area. Some areas have stricter rules than others. If they actually analyze the exhaust coming out the tail pipe, there are things that can cause that to fail though the light isn't on. Other localities only check that the light is out and no emission control systems have been removed or bypassed.