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Smog Check

Personal vehicle emissions add to the air pollution in many states. As a responsible driver, you care about aiding the national effort to reduce vehicle emissions—not just because all states have a vehicle emissions limit, but also because a vehicle that exceeds emissions limits is generally in poor repair, decreasing its safety and reliability. Because you depend on your vehicle for day to day needs, you want to keep it in the best repair possible. Our shop keeps your car in top condition by offering comprehensive emissions testing as well as superior customer service.

During a smog check, our technicians will connect a device to the tailpipe of your vehicle while the engine is running to measure your automobile’s emissions while it is idle and while it is revving. We will compare our results to the state standards for your vehicle. We also check to make sure that your muffler is in good shape, and we will also make sure that your hoses and pipes are properly connected and working well.

From the moment you walk through our door until you leave satisfied with the results, our team strives to supply only the best service to you and your vehicle.

Many shops focus only on completing the work order, but our dedicated technicians go above and beyond to exceed your customer service expectations. Put our service to the test by calling our shop or stopping in to schedule a smog check for your vehicle today!

Smog Check FAQ

What is a Test Only Station?

  • Test-Only stations are licensed by the state only to perform tests on vehicles. They are prohibited from performing any repair services. Gross Polluters can also be certified at these stations.

Who requires a Smog Check?

  • The Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice will indicate whether a Smog Check is required to re- register your vehicle. Most areas of the state require vehicles to have a Smog Check performed every two years, when being sold, and when being initially registered in California.

Do I really need a Smog Check?

  • Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Smog Check need depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state.

What is a STAR smog check?

  • Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Smog Check need depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state.

What is the difference between a regular smog station and a STAR smog station?

  • STAR smog stations will be able to issue a certificate of compliance to a vehicle passing a smog check when a motorist is referred by the DMV to such a station for vehicle registration renewal. A non “star” station may not issue a certificate to the motorist’s vehicle. They may however, test and issue certificates to vehicles not directed by the DMV to a “STAR” smog check station Culver City.

How much does a test only smog check cost? Does a test only center charge more?

  • Smog test only stations are not allowed to profit or perform any auto repairs, whether smog check related or not. In the past smog test only centers typically charged more for their smog inspection in order to cover their expenses. In today’s market however, with competition being so great, and the fact that there are plenty of test only directed vehicles to go around, the cost of the test only smog check has been dramatically reduced.

How can I help my vehicle pass Smog Check?

  • Proper and regular maintenance according to your Owner’s Manual, and not tampering with the emissions control equipment are keys to passing Smog Check and lowering emissions from your vehicle. Also a good 15 minute drive helps to ensure a proper warm-up of all emission related components which helps out in the emissions part of the smog check.

What do I do if my vehicle fails Smog Check?

  • First and foremost we’ll help explain to you why you failed and some suggestions as to what to do next. You will also need to get your vehicle repaired so it can pass its Smog Check retest in order to complete your registration.
    How can I learn if I need smog check and what are the pre and post procedures?
    Please check California Bureau of Automotive Repair website for step by step procedures.
    http://www.bar.ca.gov

How can I find my vehicle’s smog check history?

  • Please refer to California Bureau of Automotive Repair website where you can enter license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN) to check the history.
    http://www.bar.ca.gov

What should I know about the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP)?

  • You may qualify for up to $500 in financial assistance to repair your car if it requires a Smog Check at a Test-Only station and failed that test. The Bureau of Automotive Repair Retirement Program is now offering $1000.00 for eligible motorists to voluntarily retire their high-polluting vehicles. If you don’t think it’s worth repairing the Bureau of Automotive Repair may buy your car!

How do I qualify for CAP?

What is a Gross Polluter?

  • Some vehicles that fail their smog inspections give off such high levels of pollution that a category called “Gross Polluter” was created. BAR identifies these vehicles to encourage their immediate repair. Gross Polluters are some of the worst polluting vehicles on California roadways.

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