Emissions Testing: Why?

So the point being?

What's the solution?

Or you're just saying an opinion?

Only thing I can add is that as a software guy you're also aware of entire industries disintegrating, like classified ads in newspapers or travel agents, simply because web-based services made those economic engines irrelevant. Likewise, if we all owned Teslas or Tesla-like cars build by automakers were actually competing with Tesla rather than just being a stick in the mud, all those emission testings and associated repair costs would be the burden of where our electricity was sourced from, not the burden of us directly.

 

Emissions testing came about in response to a number of industry concerns related to air pollution:
- OEM systems that were ineffective (failing a test while under emission warranty would cost the OEM)
- Emission tampering by the consumer (tooners/chips, etc)
- Poorly maintained vehicles that produced pollution well in excess of "normal"

All testing was an attempt to curb the above conditions, if not eliminate them. The simple facts are that the older the vehicle, the more important it is emissions compliant, because even a small control issue can generate massive emissions failures, relative to newer vehicles. This is, in part, because the older vehicles started out so much "dirtier".

 

It's not a coin toss on if you need repairs or not, as modern vehicles have systems to warn the driver of problems. Many people drive around with undiagnosed check engine lights on. Small issues can compound and become much larger and more expensive when these warnings are ignored. I specialized in emissions repair when I lived in AZ. It has made vehicles cleaner and far more efficient. It's not uncommon to cars with 200k miles with the original catalytic converter still working fine when the car is properly maintained.

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i can only say it is better than no testing. government regs are never a panacea, but usually better than nothing.
i was in the groundwater environmental business for years. there's some good work being done, but also a lot of superfluous requirements and downright nonsense. still better than poison drinking water

it is impossible for governments, or even businesses or individuals for that matter, to be 100% efficient.
driving is expensive. purchase, insurance, registration, taxes, maintenance, repairs.

i'm not sure about the alternatives...