# Emissions Inspection in Arlington, VA, Tab Motors Auto Repair | Exxon > Northern Virginia emissions test in Arlington at TAB Motors | Exxon. Fast OBD emissions inspection, honest results, same-day repairs. Call (703) 243-3080. ## Business facts - **Name:** Tab Motors Auto Repair | Exxon - **Address:** 4035 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207 - **Phone:** (703) 243-3080 (call or text) - **Hours:** Mon–Sat 7 AM – 7 PM - **Rating:** 4.9 stars from 60+ Google reviews - **Type:** Full-service auto repair shop + Exxon station; AAA Approved Auto Repair - **Inspections:** Official Virginia State Safety Inspection & Emissions Testing station - **Service area:** Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Alexandria, Vienna, Fairfax, Great Falls, Ballston, Clarendon, Rosslyn, Cherrydale & Washington, DC - **Perks:** Free air, free coffee, honest upfront pricing ## Emissions Inspection Arlington sits in the Northern Virginia emissions region, so most vehicles need an emissions test to renew registration. TAB Motors handles it quickly and honestly on Old Dominion Dr. If you live in Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria or most of Northern Virginia, your vehicle is part of the Commonwealth's **emissions inspection program** and needs to pass an emissions test every two years to renew its registration. TAB Motors | Exxon is set up to run that test right here on Old Dominion Dr and get you back on the road fast. ## How the Virginia emissions test works Most vehicles from 1996 and newer get an OBD (on-board diagnostics) emissions check, we plug into your car's computer and confirm the emissions systems are working and that there are no active fault codes. Older or specialty vehicles may get a tailpipe-style test instead. Either way, the goal is the same: making sure your car isn't polluting more than it should. ## Why cars fail emissions, and how we fix it The most common reason a car fails is a **check engine light** or a "not ready" monitor status. That's rarely a mystery to us, our technicians run full [engine diagnostics](./engine-diagnostics.html), find the real cause (a bad oxygen sensor, a loose gas cap, a failing catalytic converter, a misfire), and repair it. Because we're a complete repair shop, we can fix the failure and re-test without sending you across town. - Check engine light on or recent battery disconnect ("not ready") - Failing oxygen (O2) sensor or air-fuel ratio sensor - Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold - Evaporative (EVAP) leaks, often just the gas cap - Engine misfire from worn spark plugs or coils ## Emissions + safety inspection together Virginia requires both a [safety inspection](./virginia-state-inspection.html) and, in our region, an emissions test. Doing them together at TAB Motors saves you a second trip. Come in, get both handled, and if anything needs attention we'll give you an upfront price before touching a thing. ## Frequently asked questions **Does my car need a Virginia emissions test?** Most gas vehicles 1996 and newer registered in Arlington and the Northern Virginia region need an emissions test every two years. Brand-new cars (first four model years) and some others are exempt. Call (703) 243-3080 if you're unsure. **My check engine light is on, will I fail emissions?** Almost certainly, yes. An illuminated check engine light is an automatic emissions failure. Bring it in and we'll diagnose the cause and fix it so you can pass. **How long does the emissions test take?** The test itself is quick. If your car passes, you're in and out. If it fails, we'll walk you through the repair options right away. **Can you fix my car if it fails and then re-test it?** Yes, that's the advantage of testing at a full-service shop. We diagnose, repair, and re-run the test without sending you elsewhere. **Do I need emissions AND a safety inspection?** In Arlington, yes. We can do both in the same visit to save you time. --- Call (703) 243-3080 or visit 4035 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207.