Proper car maintenance will help a vehicle live longer, just as proper muscle maintenance will help you save a car from drowning. Be a hero with today's Groupon: for $21, you get a Virginia-state-mandated vehicle inspection and emissions test at Inspections VA-MD (a $44 value). This deal is valid at Manassas Auto Care.

Inspections VA-MD's 23-step auto inspection and emissions test evaluate cars to confirm they're road ready, air-friendly, and conform to Virginia's emissions standards. During the 30-minute process, technicians run through a long list of checks starting with the brake system, which they scour for defective drums, leaks, and worn disk pads that could lead to embarrassing slide-bys in the fast-food drive-thru.

After employees examine the steering and suspension and test the wheel and axle alignment, cars pop their hoods to let auto inspectors scrutinize the power-steering belt for tension or wear and assess the levels of brake and power-steering fluid. Motor medics also fiddle with headlight switches and signal devices, quiz the air bag for its reaction time, and test the tailpipe or on-board diagnostic computer system for eco-friendly emissions before slapping a new sticker on the car and sending it off to celebrate by crashing into a karaoke bar.

Though Inspections VA-MD sometimes features discounted prices online, this Groupon still provides the best deal available.