Do I need a star smog check? A.
If the DMV only mentions Smog Certification Required, you may take your vehicle to any Smog Check station. So long as there is no mention of STAR, your vehicle is considered to require a “regular” smog check and it can be tested at any smog station which performs smog inspections.

What’s the difference between a star smog check and test only? A “test only” station means just that – it can only perform the tests, and not conduct any repairs. A STAR smog station is a participant in the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s STAR program and is a more strenuous testing station.

What year cars need star smog? It is required by the State of California for vehicles 1995 and prior (some models are exempt). For the official FAQ provided by the State’s Bureau of Automotive Repair, click here.

Are all smog stations Star certified? It’s about how they have been certified by the California state Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to perform smog checks, but basically: Smog test centers can perform the test itself and give you a certification. STAR Test and Repair Centers are the only smog centers that can inspect, repair and certify your vehicle.

Do I need a star smog check? – Related Questions

How much does Smog Check cost?

It will normally range anywhere between $29.95 to $89.95 depending on the county you live in and the type of smog inspection your vehicle requires. This price may or may not include the State’s Certificate Fee of $8.25, which is charged only and if your vehicle passes the test.

How old does a car have to be to be smog exempt in California?

California law exempts vehicles eight model years and newer from a biennial Smog Check. In lieu of a Smog Check, owners of these vehicles are required to pay an abatement fee as part of their registration fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Is it legal to sell a car without smog in California?

You cannot legally sell a car in California without providing a current smog certificate done within the 90 days prior to sale. You either need to take the car back and give the buyer the money back or pay for it to get properly smogged.

What counties in CA don’t require smog?

What Counties in CA Don’t Require Smog Check? The countries in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma.

What is Star certified smog check?

The STAR Program is a certification program for both test-only and test-and-repair Smog Check stations that wish to certify directed and gross-polluting vehicles. STAR test-and-repair stations also must provide repair assistance services under BAR’s Consumer Assistance Program.

How long does smog check take?

How long does a smog check take? On average, a smog check should take about 20-30 minutes to complete.

What does test only smog mean?

When a smog station is “test only”, it means this shop will only test your car to see if it passes smog, and is not authorized or equipped to repair your car in the event it fails the test. If your car does pass the test, the station will send the results directly to the DMV and you can go on your merry way.

How much is a smog test in Los Angeles?

The normal price range of the average smog test is between $29.95 and $69.95 depending on the county you live in, the type of vehicle you own car, truck, van, SUV, or motorhome, and the type of smog inspection your vehicle requires.

How much is a smog test in San Diego?

Smog Check San Diego | Coupons & Promos from $17.95 in CA.

What makes you fail a smog test?

If your car displays a “Check Engine” light, that’s an automatic smog check failure. You’ll need to get a diagnosis and fix before you test. Sometimes, even before an oxygen sensor fails, it becomes “lazy,” not properly regulating the gas/air mixture, and that will cause a smog check failure, Mazor says.

Should you change oil before smog?

Dirty oil can greatly affect smog test results, because the fumes from the oil compartment emanate throughout the engine area and become a part of the engine’s combustion. Remember to change the oil before getting a smog check.

What happens if you dont pass smog?

If your vehicles smog check doesn’t pass, you have two choices: repairing the faulty components or stop driving your car. Your DMV registration can’t be renewed if your smog check fails. Now, your failed smog test might cost you in repairs.

Why are smog checks so expensive?

Most stations do use a price structure in relation to the amount of work required to inspect different vehicles, as well as a calculation of the wear and tear that a particular vehicle may present to the smog station’s testing equipment; hence the slightly higher prices for older model and or larger vehicles, such as

Does a tune affect smog?

Here’s a good reminder to anyone running a tuned car out in California: As of today, July 19, the state’s notoriously strict smog testing will automatically fail any car when it detects modified software onboard, aka, a tuned ECU. Drivers can’t register a car in the state unless it’s passed a smog check.

Do 30 year old cars need smog?

Under the current law, cars 30 years or older are exempt from smog testing. That means that this year a model 1974 car is exempt and next year a model 1975 will become exempt. What’s more, cars newer than 1976 are already passing their smog tests and the emission rules for these vehicles will be frozen in time.

Will the smog exempt year change?

California Governor Signs Smog Check Exemption Repeal Bill Into Law. 2683 into law. The new law repeals California’s current rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replaces it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles.

What happens if I sell a car without smog?

Some states don’t allow the sale of a vehicle without a smog test – even if there is a written agreement between the buyer and seller. Then, the buyer can apply to the DMV to have the vehicle removed from Planned Non-Operation status. The DMV usually charges a fee for this.

Can a car be sold without smog?

In a state like California, it’s actually illegal for you to attempt to sell a car without a smog check. You need to have a smog check performed within 90 days of the sale of your car so that you’re able to set the buyer up with a smog certificate.

Is it illegal to swap engines in California?

An engine change involves swapping a car engine with another that is not identical, under California law. It must be from the same type of vehicle, such as a passenger car or light duty truck. If the car is California-certified then the engine going in to the car must also be California-certified.

Can I buy a car in Arizona and bring it to California?

For example, Arizona has reciprocal tax agreements with Oregon, Virginia, Indiana, and California. For instance, if a California resident buys a car in Arizona, they may be exempt from paying the Arizona sales tax, but they must still pay it in California.

Are all smog tests the same?

All smog test stations in California can perform “regular” smog checks. A “regular” smog check is all that is required when obtaining a smog check for initial California registration, or when buying or selling a vehicle in California three months prior to the vehicle’s registration expiration date.