Longtime resident of Virginia here. Have had the following problems at yearly safety / every other year emissions:
'83 Buick Regal - No high-mount center brake light, rust through frame - drove it for a week after draining the engine oil and that 3.8L Gen1 just kept pumping, 'til it threw a main bearing.
'95 Wrangler YJ - Turn signal switch broken (replaced), dash lighting out (replaced bulbs), headlights only semi-functional (new underdash wiring harness), uncovered off-road lights (removed), no high-mount center brake light (added TJ stock tire carrier w/brake light, ran new wiring through tailgate), clogged cats (emissions, replaced cats), rust through frame (new frame members welded in), fender flares more than 4" from body (added side marker lights to fender flares), emissions numbers too high (plugs, wires, distributor replaced), "Those tires are barely above the wear bars" New tires are sitting right over there waiting to go on. "Okay" - sold it to someone who could fix it up right after the front diff grenaded while I was in 2WD driving to work.
'02 Grand Prix GTP - turn signal bulbs "not amber enough" (whatever, replaced the bulbs), reverse light "too blue" (replaced bulb), fog lights non-functional (removed, routed cold air intake from fog light holes) - sold to a good home
'03 Audi RS6 - Flex pipes fraying (new weld-in flex pipes), license plate light out (replaced bulb), "Are those headlights aftermarket?" Nope, OE replacements. "Okay" - Up for sale currently
No other issues at inspection / emissions time with the other vehicles *knock on wood*
O_E