Board of Supervisors Keep Key Program Revved Up

July 24, 2008

On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved to continue a program that benefits residents by helping to clean the air we breathe.

The Voluntary Vehicle Repair and Retrofit Program [VVR&R] is designed to help high polluting vehicles meet State of Arizona emissions standards.  The program offers up to $650 in financial assistance to qualifying vehicles through repair or replacement of failed vehicle emissions equipment.

From its introduction in January 1999 through today, the VVR&R Program has helped over 9,300 vehicles meet Arizona emissions standards, resulting in the reduction of 2,400 tons of pollution.  

“We see lasting, quality repairs through this program,” explains Chairman Andy Kunasek, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.  “Because we’re able to provide this program, we have fewer polluting vehicles on the road which is great for all of us.”

During today’s action, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to continue a contract between the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the county’s Air Quality Department for one year. 

Owners whose vehicles may qualify for the vehicle repair and retrofit program will receive information from the Motor Vehicle Division if their vehicle fails its emissions test.  The program is open to vehicle owners who have failed an emissions test and is provided regardless of a vehicle owner’s income.  Please view the program’s information on page two.  Additional information on this program may be found on the Air Quality Department’s website at www.maricopa.gov/aq.  Look for the program under the “Divisions” tab. 

About Maricopa County Air Quality Department

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department is a regulatory agency whose goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act.

Step 1 – Does your vehicle qualify for the VVR&R Program?

• You must be willing to participate and your vehicle must be functionally operational.
• Your vehicle must be at least 12 (model) years old.
• Your vehicle must be titled in Arizona. 
• Your vehicle must have been registered in Arizona during the preceding 12 months.  It cannot have been unregistered for more than 60 days.  A registration renewal notice does not qualify.
• Registration expiration date must not be more than 90 days in advance of today’s date.  New purchases and title transfers are exempt from this requirement.
• Your vehicle must have failed a required emissions test in the “Emissions Inspection Results” within the past 60 days; failures in the “Equipment or Pressure Inspection Results” are not eligible.
• The emissions control system must not have been tampered with, removed, or disabled.
• Work must be done at an authorized repair facility (listed below).
• One vehicle per owner.
• Motor homes, motorcycles, salvage vehicles and fleet vehicles are not eligible.
• If your vehicle is eligible for a Retrofit Kit, you must have one installed.
• There are no reimbursements available for work already completed.
• Some vehicles may not be eligible for assistance if they are in extremely poor condition.

Step 2 – Being accepted into the VVR&R Program

• Make an appointment with one of the repair facilities listed below.
• Take your title, current registration and emissions failure notice to the repair facility.
• Sign the required agreement sheet.
• A technician will verify that your vehicle can be repaired and/or retrofitted to pass the emissions test.  There will be a $50 diagnostic fee if the vehicle is removed from the program.
• Pay the required $150 co-payment to the repair facility.  Maricopa County will pay up to an additional $550 for emissions related repairs or $650 for a Retrofit Kit and installation.  The intent of the VVR&R Program is to repair vehicles correctly the first time; if the cost to do this exceeds the above limits, you may pay the balance or remove your vehicle from the program.

Step 3 – Repair and/or Retrofit

The authorized repair facility will repair and/or retrofit your vehicle.  A technician will then take your vehicle to an emission station for a retest.  The repair facility will need your vehicle for approximately a day to do this.  Repair times may vary based on business demands and the make, model and year of the vehicle. 

Step 4 – Authorized Repair Facilities

Action Auto Repair

2050 W. Deer Valley Road, Suite A

Phoenix, AZ 85027

(623) 582-2982

M - F 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Arizona Auto Care

5235 S. Kyrene Road, Suite 42

Tempe, AZ 85283

(480) 820-2693

M - F 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Blackwell Automotive

15440 N. 40th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 992-5478

M - F 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

C.A.R. Clinic

625 E. McKellips Road

Mesa, AZ 85203

(480) 835-9010

M - F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Larry Harker's Auto Repair, Inc.

3845 W. Indian School Road

Phoenix, AZ 85019

(602) 278-5558

M - F 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Siegele's Service Center

18214 E. Williams Field Road

Higley, AZ 85236

(480) 988-3001

M - F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thiem Automotive Repair

401 E. Western Avenue

Avondale, AZ 85323

(623) 932-4340

Mon - Thurs 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.