STAR certified smog check stations in Long Beach: what to know
If you opened your DMV renewal notice and saw the word "STAR" in bold, you're not alone — California's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) directs roughly 1 in 5 vehicles to a STAR certified station each cycle. Here's what that means, why your car got picked, and how the inspection differs.
What is a STAR certified smog check station?
STAR is a designation the Bureau of Automotive Repair gives to smog check stations that meet higher standards of accuracy and consistency than a regular station. STAR stations are independently scored on how their results compare to expected outcomes — and they have to keep their scores up to stay certified.
In plain English: STAR stations are the ones the state has decided it trusts most to test the harder-to-pass cars. M & P in Long Beach is a STAR certified test & repair shop and has held that designation continuously for many years.
How can I tell if I need a STAR smog check?
Look at the smog check section of your DMV registration renewal notice. If it says "Smog certification required at a STAR-certified station," you do — and you cannot use a regular non-STAR station. The DMV system will reject the certificate.
If your notice just says "smog certification required" with no STAR mention, you're free to use any licensed smog station, STAR or otherwise.
Why did my car get directed to STAR?
The BAR uses an algorithm to identify vehicles that statistically are more likely to have higher emissions than the fleet average. Factors include:
- Vehicle age, make, and model
- Past smog test history (yours and others' for that model)
- Geographic patterns
- Random selection (yes, a small share is chosen at random)
Getting directed to STAR doesn't mean your car is broken or that you're being singled out. It's a statistical bucket. Plenty of perfectly healthy cars get sent to STAR and pass on the first try.
Does a STAR smog check cost more?
The actual test is identical to a regular smog check — same equipment, same procedure. At M & P, our STAR price is the same as our standard price: $41.75 plus state certificate fees (for 2000 and newer vehicles). Some shops charge a premium for STAR; we don't.
Heads-up: the BAR publishes every STAR station's scores publicly. You can look up any shop in California. If a STAR station is hesitant to show you their certificate, that's a sign to leave.
What if my car fails at a STAR station?
If you fail, you'll get a Vehicle Inspection Report showing exactly which test you didn't pass and why. From there you have two options:
- Get repairs done at any licensed shop and return for a retest. You'll pay for the retest separately at most places.
- Use a STAR Test & Repair station like M & P. We can diagnose, repair, and retest in one stop. Here's our full guide for what to do if your car fails →
STAR certified smog check in Long Beach
M & P is conveniently located at 2000 Orange Ave in Long Beach — easy access from the 405, 710, and 91. We're a STAR certified test & repair center, family-owned, and most appointments take 15 to 20 minutes. Walk-ins welcome Mon–Sat, 8AM–5PM.
See our smog check service Call (562) 218-1280