We've also had several government scrappage schemes in the UK so you pretty much don't see anything older than 15 years on the road. In addition our cars rust more due to weather and salt used on the road.

The first thing I noticed when I went to South Africa was the older cars on the road. Some cars that I remember from my childhood but had completely forgotten about until that point. I never realised the turnover in the UK was so high until I came back.

You have the yearly state inspection though right? At least, last I lived there you did.

We do, but outside of California, it's a cakewalk. Mostly checks for functional brake lights, turn signals, wipers, etc. And, again, outside of California, some minimal emissions tests you'll pass unless your car is seriously ailing.

Not exactly. This is highly dependent upon not only state but county as well. The type of vehicle and its age and even things like a vehicle with collectors plates can factor into emissions and testing requirements.

As an example my sister lives in a county in Colorado that doesn't do emissions testing. I bought a car - 2001 Subaru Legacy - from her several years ago and had to pass emissions as I do live in a county that requires it. It failed spectacularly. The car was not 'seriously ailing' either. The forward O2 sensor needed to be replaced and then it passed just fine.

Granted from what I hear California has pretty strict emissions requirements, but it's not necessarily a cake walk outside of California either, although sometimes it is. It's highly variable.

I'm comparing relative to UK MOT or Germany's TÜV when I say "cakewalk".

And inside of California there are no vehicle inspections except for a smog check every two years.

Cops will pull you over if your brake/head lights are out.

Some states have it, some don't.