Culver City German Auto Repair
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STAR Certified Smog Check and Repair in Los Angeles
STAR Certified Smog Check and Repair in Los Angeles
Posted on 7/14/2020
STAR Certified Smog Check and Repair in Los Angeles
STAR Smog Check in Santa Monica & Culver City
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.
What is a STAR smog check?
If you received the
DMV
registration renewal paper saying “SMOG Certification Required at a STAR station”, you are at the right place. Premier Star Smog is a Star Certified Smog Check Station. STAR Smog Station means, DMV has chosen your car to be inspected at a smog station which is monitored closely by the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) and must conform to high standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.
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.
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?
CAP offers two options for consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial Smog Check.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov
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.
STAR Smog Check Required
If you received your vehicle renewal statement and it states that you need a smog certification to be done at a
STAR
station, this simply means your DMV selected your car to get the smog certification at a STAR certified facility. STAR facilities are monitored by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, or
BAR
, and hold high standards and regulations. These inspections are generally thorough and diligent.
Types of STAR Stations
There are two different types of STAR stations: a STAR test only center and a STAR test and repair station. The names are pretty self-explanatory. A STAR test only center is only certified by California to complete smog inspections. Test
and
repair centers are authorized to do STAR smog inspections, and if repairs are found to be necessary, these centers can also complete repairs and certify your vehicle.
Why Do I Need a STAR Inspection
Your vehicle could be chosen for a STAR inspection because of a few different reasons. Generally, the state of California will require a STAR smog check for automobiles known to have previously failed a smog inspection or that have higher emissions and vehicles with high emission profile ratings designated by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs. For instance, older
Ram trucks
will be more likely flagged than a brand new hybrid vehicle.
There is also selection done of automobiles registered in the state of California that will be required to get a STAR smog test. So, even if you do not have a higher commission car, you may get a randomized designation for a star inspection.
The Cost of a STAR Smog Test
Having a STAR inspection done on your vehicle is relatively straightforward. You can find a STAR smog station online with a
station locator
. In California, there is an $8.25 state service certificate charge and then the cost for the inspection. STAR inspections will vary in price a little depending on your automobile.
Don’t Risk Penalties by Skipping an Inspection
Your vehicle can factor into the cost of a smog check. Used or
new car prices
for a smog check may differentiate a bit from RVs or
truck prices
for an inspection. Regardless of the cost, it’s not worth the risk of skipping an inspection. Budget the cost of these checks into your annual plan for vehicle maintenance and registration.
If you don’t get a required smog check, your registration is considered incomplete, which is regarded as a falsification of vehicle registration. In places like California, driving with your registration as such can be deemed a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. Even for a pricier check station charge, the cost still outweighs getting pulled over and charged with either one. Make sure you have proper insurance coverage and a valid registration to avoid unnecessary penalties.
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