DEQ failure repair guide
What to do after failing a DEQ test
After failing an Oregon DEQ emissions test, you have 60 days to repair your vehicle and retest. Take your DEQ report to a certified DEQ-Too repair shop — like All About Automotive in Gresham — get the underlying fault diagnosed and repaired, allow the readiness monitors to reset, and return to a DEQ station for your retest.
Step by step
The DEQ repair process
The process from failing DEQ to passing your retest follows a consistent sequence. Here is what happens at each stage.
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Get your test report
The DEQ station prints a test report at the end of your inspection. Keep it — this is the document our technicians need. The report shows which monitors passed, which failed, and the specific codes your vehicle's computer stored. If you lost your report, you can retrieve it from Oregon DEQ's online vehicle history portal using your license plate number.
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Note your 60-day window
Oregon DEQ gives you 60 days from the test date to complete repairs and retest. Write the deadline date on your calendar now. If your registration renewal falls within the 60-day window, contact Oregon DMV — they typically note your account so your registration does not lapse while repairs are underway.
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Schedule your diagnosis at a DEQ-Too shop
Bring your DEQ test report to a certified DEQ-Too repair facility. All About Automotive at 1850 NW Burnside Rd in Gresham is DEQ-Too certified. Our technicians use your report as the starting point, then perform a full diagnostic to confirm the root cause of each failure. We do not just clear codes — we find out why the code appeared so the repair holds.
Book an appointment online or call us at (503) 465-2926.
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Approve and complete repairs
Once we have confirmed the cause, we give you a written estimate. After you approve the work, we complete the repairs. We will also tell you upfront whether your total repair cost might qualify you for Oregon's DEQ cost waiver program — which lets you register your vehicle even if it still does not pass, provided you have spent at least $800 on qualifying repairs. See our DEQ cost waiver guide.
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Complete the drive cycle
Many repairs — especially anything that resets the vehicle's computer — require the readiness monitors to complete before you retest. Monitors run during normal driving under specific conditions (highway speeds, steady cruise, engine warm-up, etc.). We will give you the exact drive cycle instructions your vehicle needs. Do not return to DEQ until the monitors show as ready, or you will fail for the same reason regardless of whether the underlying repair is correct.
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Return to DEQ for your retest
Oregon DEQ offers one free retest within 60 days of a failure. Return to a DEQ station (the same station type where you originally tested) with your repaired vehicle. If you pass, the station issues a passing certificate and your registration renewal proceeds normally. If you do not pass, return to us so we can determine whether an additional repair is needed or whether monitors are still completing.
Understanding your test report
How to read a DEQ failure report
The DEQ test report can be confusing if you have not seen one before. Here is what the main sections mean.
OBD (on-board diagnostic) result
Oregon DEQ's primary test is an OBD-II scan — the same scan your check engine light is tied to. The report shows which OBD monitors passed, which failed, and which stored fault codes were present. A "fail" on the OBD result is what triggers a DEQ failure in most cases.
Monitor readiness status
The report lists each readiness monitor (catalyst, oxygen sensor, EVAP, EGR, etc.) and whether it shows "ready" or "not ready." Oregon DEQ allows a maximum of one not-ready monitor on 1996–2000 vehicles and zero not-ready monitors on 2001 and newer vehicles. If your failure is entirely a monitor readiness issue with no fault codes, no repair may be needed — just driving.
Stored fault codes
The report lists any stored trouble codes — P-codes like P0420 (catalyst efficiency bank 1) or P0442 (EVAP small leak). These codes point to the system involved, not necessarily the failed part. Bring this list to us. We use it to guide our diagnosis, not to order parts directly.
Visual inspection result
Some DEQ stations also perform a visual inspection of the emissions control system — checking for missing or disconnected components, obvious tampering, or aftermarket equipment that does not meet Oregon standards. The report will note any visual violations separately from the OBD result.
Common questions
After-failure FAQ
What happens if I miss the 60-day DEQ repair window?
If 60 days pass without a passing retest, Oregon DMV will not renew your registration. You can still complete repairs and retest after the 60 days — you just cannot legally drive the vehicle with an expired registration while you wait. Contact Oregon DMV if your registration renewal deadline falls within the repair window; they will typically note your account while repairs are in progress.
Do I need to bring my DEQ test report to the shop?
Yes. The DEQ test report lists the specific failure codes and readiness monitor status that the station measured. That information tells us exactly what the DEQ station found and what our repairs need to achieve. You can get a copy of the report from the DEQ station where you tested, or download it from Oregon DEQ's online portal.
What is a readiness monitor and why does it matter?
Readiness monitors are self-tests that your vehicle's onboard diagnostic system runs during normal driving. DEQ checks whether these monitors have completed. After any repair that resets your vehicle's computer — or after a battery disconnect — the monitors need to run through drive cycles before they will show as "ready." We will tell you exactly which drive patterns your vehicle needs before you return to the DEQ station.
Is my DEQ retest free?
Oregon DEQ offers one free retest within 60 days of a failure at the same station type (i.e., if you tested at a biennial station, your free retest must be at a biennial station). After the 60-day window, or after the free retest, normal testing fees apply. Confirm current retest policies at the Oregon DEQ website or by calling your DEQ station.
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