What should be communicated to a customer when tampering is found in the emissions system?

• A. The vehicle must be repaired within the cost limits for that year vehicle.
• B. The vehicle is automatically eligible for a certificate.
• C. No action required if it passes tail-pipe.
• D. The owner must replace the entire exhaust system.

Answer: (A)

When tampering is found, the customer must be told that the emissions-control system needs to be repaired and brought back to proper operation, and that those repairs must be completed within the established repair cost limit for that model year in order to qualify for certification. This communicates both the action required (repair) and the financial threshold that determines if the vehicle can be certified after work. The idea is that tampering invalidates certification until the system is restored within the allowed cost, rather than implying automatic certification or requiring an unnecessary full exhaust replacement.