The present invention relates to a network status reporting method, for reporting in a communications network a network status to a data source with an adaptive transmission rate. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller’s ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. A message that includes the processed data is generated and transmitted periodically.