Your vehicle may qualify for a smog exemption if it is over 25 years old and has been registered continuously since 1991. You can take advantage of this exemption if your car has never had any major modifications made to it!
Vehicles with modifications that are not approved by CARB may be eligible for a complete or partial exemption. Please contact us for full details at 562-218-1280.
What you need to know before getting your car smogged.
Getting your California smog tested for the first time may seem like a daunting process. The staff at our location want to make sure that you are aware of all of the details that go into getting your vehicle smogged, so please read on.
You will need to prepare your car for inspection by removing any loose objects from the floorboards and making sure there are no items blocking the exhaust pipes, including using shoe covers or boots over your shoes to prevent dirtying up the wall. You will also need to remove anything from inside the engine compartment, doors, glove compartment, trunk, gas tank door, bumpers, and headlights.
The California Vehicle Code states that an inspector cannot issue a certificate if they find any object which obstructs their view of the exhaust system, so it is best to be prepared.
Smog technicians are required to inspect your vehicle at the state minimum standard of 80% opacity for hydrocarbon emissions. There are ways to ensure that you can pass smog, however. You can prepare yourself by having all maintenance records on hand and cleaning your engine regularly. If you need a new battery or spark plugs or a tune-up, it is best to have these changes made prior to arriving for your test, as it will save you time.
Understanding the CARB regulations for your 1992 or newer non-diesel car.
If your vehicle is a 1992 or newer non-diesel model, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates what kind of modifications are allowed.
These regulations are in place so that vehicles are not modified to gain an unfair advantage over the rest of the vehicles on the road.
There are some modifications that can be made to improve exhaust emissions without affecting air quality, but these require prior approval from CARB. You may need to contact them for more specific details about what is allowed for your model year.
The following list provides examples of modifications that are NOT approved by CARB:
– Cutout header pipe with open ports, mufflers cut out/removed, no catalytic converter
– Racing muffler, open headers
– Dual exhaust – only one pipe per cylinder head is allowed
– Large bore after-market slip on and slash-cut style mufflers (cannot be 2″)
– Open welded “slash cut” or “tuning flaps/slots” in the muffler. Must have a CARB E.O. number
– High flow air induction system – modification to the stock air inlet system is allowed, but only if it has a CARB EO number (please see below)
The following list provides examples of modifications that ARE approved by CARB:
– After-market catalytic converter with a CARB EO number
– After-market muffler with a CARB EO number
– Cold air intake system with a CARB EO number
If you are considering any modifications to your vehicle, please contact our service department for advice.
What to do if your vehicle fails its biennial (every other year) smog inspection.
If your vehicle fails its biennial (every other year) smog inspection, you will need to make some changes before retesting. The mechanic will advise you on what changes are needed.
If the failure is due to too many leaks, expired registration, or missing safety items, you may be able to get back on track by obtaining the missing safety items or getting your registration updated.
It is also possible that there was a mistake in the paperwork of the dealer, which can be fixed with a letter from them admitting the error.
If the failure is due to lack of maintenance or tampering with emissions control features, then it would likely need some work before retesting. It is best to get advice from a mechanic to determine what changes are needed.
Here is a list of the most common reasons that vehicles fail their smog inspection:
– Uncorrected OBD
– Poorly routed vacuum lines
– Exhaust leaks (broken/missing gaskets/hangers, holes in pipes)
– Catalytic converter damage (holes, broken studs)
– Evaporative purge valve damage/leak
– Fuel leak at fuel tank or cap
– Loose bolts on EGR tube/malfunctioning gasket between carburetor and manifold
– No OBD code present – no repairs made to correct this issue.
The registration renewal notice.
If you have not had your vehicle smog tested before, then it is a good idea to ensure that you have the proper registration. This way, the costs of an inspection can be included in your registration fee and you will not have to worry about coming up with the money for it separately.
If your vehicle is more than 25 years old and has been continuously registered in California since 1991, then it may qualify for a smog exemption. You will need to take proof of this with you when you come in to test your vehicle.
You are also required to take proof of ownership, such as a copy of the title or an ownership document.
Vehicles that are smog certified will be subject to all the same rules and regulations as other vehicles in California. The vehicle cannot be modified in any way without prior approval from CARB (California Air Resources Board) and it must meet all safety standards.
If the smog test fails, you will need to get any required repairs done before retesting. However, you should not have to pay for a re-test as the department will only charge for one full inspection per vehicle per year.
Why do I have to get my vehicle inspected every 2 years?
The smog inspection is required every 2 years because that is how long you are allowed to drive without getting the test. It is not a deadline, but rather a requirement to keep your vehicle legal to drive on California roads.
If your vehicle is more than 25 years old, you will be required to have it tested every year. The mechanic can provide further information on this if needed.
The “two times a year” requirement only applies to vehicles that were manufactured after January 1, 1976. If your car was manufactured before then, it does not need a smog inspection until it is 10 model years old.
We are a full-service auto repair and smog check company!
M & P Auto Repair & Smog Check Inc. is your best option. We’ll take care of almost any problem with your car. Just call us at 562-218-1280 and we’ll be in contact with you in an instant.
