Under what circumstance will a repair cost waiver not be issued?

A repair cost waiver will not be issued when a vehicle has tampered emissions control systems. This is because tampering with emissions systems indicates a deliberate modification intended to bypass or reduce the effectiveness of the vehicle's pollution control devices. Regulatory frameworks are designed to enforce compliance with emissions standards, and tampering undermines these efforts by potentially allowing higher levels of pollutants to be released into the atmosphere. Thus, if a vehicle is found with tampered emissions systems, it is not eligible for a waiver, as the intention behind a waiver is to facilitate compliance for vehicles needing financial assistance with legitimate repairs rather than to overlook intentional modifications that compromise emissions control.

In the context of the other options, vehicles undergoing a transfer of title or initial registration may still meet the requirements for a waiver, as the focus is generally on the emissions inspection results and repair costs. Additionally, a vehicle that has not incurred repair costs exceeding $650 may also be eligible for a waiver, since the waiver is typically contingent on the financial burden of necessary repairs rather than their absence. Therefore, the presence of tampered systems uniquely disqualifies the vehicle from receiving a repair cost waiver.