[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Emissions is one part of Texas' Annual Vehicle Inspection, safety is another. Your car failed for safety reasons, not emissions. Your vehicle passed the emissions portion of the test the first time. It's not at all surprising it passed with the same numbers the second time around. (They redo the whole test the second time around because they're required to by law. 'Cause you might have done something stupid at the same time you repaired exhaust leak- like remove the guts of the catalytic converter.)

Test drive is right. Here's the page for exhaust from the link he provided for TX.

2. Inspect for and reject if:


a. Vehicle is not equipped with a muffler.


b. Any joint is loose or leaking, including manifolds. Does not include minor leakage at exhaust control valve (manifold damper or heat riser valve).


c. Manifold is cracked or broken causing leakage.


d. Holes, leaking seams, or patches on the muffler, resonators, exhaust pipe, tailpipe, or catalytic converter.


e. Exhaust system is not secured to the vehicle by mounting brackets designed for exhaust systems (wire is not acceptable).


f. Any brackets are loose, broken, or missing.


g. There is excessive vibration of exhaust line.


h. Any part of the exhaust system passes through the passenger compartment.


i. The tailpipe is broken, pinched, or eroded off to the extent to allow exhaust fumes to penetrate into the interior of the passenger compartment.


j. The tailpipe fails to discharge exhaust from the rear or sides or top of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.


NOTE: Holes in the exhaust system made by the manufacturer for drainage are not cause for rejection. The tailpipe must direct the exhaust fumes out from under the passenger compartment.