<![CDATA[quik smog - Blog]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:09:35 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Star certified smog station vs regular smog station]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:24:47 GMThttps://www.quik-smog.com/blog/star-certified-smog-station-vs-regular-smog-stationPicture
STAR stations are Smog Check stations that meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Some STAR stations are licensed to perform only tests, while others are licensed to perform both tests and repairs. The station is required to post a sign on the services it performs. STAR Test & Repair stations are authorized by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs to perform, along with smog check repairs, regular smog inspections and test only smog checks. A STAR Test & Repair station is the only type of smog check center which can inspect, repair and certify any and all vehicles. These stations are participants of the State's Consumer Assistance Program and are inspected by the State of California monthly.

STAR Test & Repair stations may also perform smog repairs on vehicles participating in Consumer Assistance Program.

Is it mandatory to take your car for inspection at a STAR certified smog check station?

State law requires that a percentage of vehicles have their Smog Check Inspections performed at a STAR station. If your DMV renewal notice states your vehicle requires a Smog Check at a STAR station, you must take your vehicle to a STAR station for an inspection. The State of California uses the following three strategies to determine whether a vehicle is STAR station designated or not:

  • Gross polluters (vehicles which have failed a previous smog inspection with very high emission readings)
  • High Emitter Profile vehicles. These are vehicle types designated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as having high chances of failing the smog inspection.
  • A random sample of all vehicles registered in California and being driven on public roadways.

If your vehicle has been selected to undergo a STAR smog check don't be alarmed. Simply locate a convenient STAR certified smog station and proceed with the inspection. The smog technician conducting the test can inform you of any serious issues. Several hundred STAR smog stations are located throughout California, so you can easily find one in your area.


Quik Smog is located in Mountain View, CA - 30 miles from San Fransisco, 10 miles from Redwood City, 3 miles from Palo Alto, 4 miles from Sunnyvale, 2 miles from Los Altos, and 10 miles from Milpitas.  Quik Smog provides SMOG TESTS for all vehicles including trucks, SUVs and Gross Polluters using our cutting edge BAR-97 Emission Inspection System (EIS) required by the State of California.  The inspection includes a visual, functional and tailpipe emissions test.  Certain vehicles emissions testing require the use of a dynamiter for Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM), or loaded-mode test.  The ASM simulates actual driving conditions and allows for more precise testing for CO, HC and NOx - the three most harmful pollutants emitted by motor vehicles. This makes Quik Smog compatible will most vehicles.
]]><![CDATA[Why Are some Smog Check Stations More Expensive than others?]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:15:06 GMThttps://www.quik-smog.com/blog/why-are-some-smog-check-stations-more-expensive-than-othersPicture
EXCEPT FOR THE $8.25 STATE CERTIFICATE FEE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DOES NOT REGULATE THE ACTUAL COST OF THE EMISSIONS TEST.

The average smog inspection price will vary shop to shop. It ranges widely depending on the county you live in and the type of smog inspection your vehicle requires.  While some of it has do with complex testing procedures mandated by the State depending on the make and model of the car and it's year.

For example, State mandates $8.25 in Smog certificate fees if the vehicle passes smog inspection. This is not included in the cost of the test and is charged only if the vehicle passes smog inspection. This fees is not charged if the vehicle fails.


For 1995 and older cars, State mandates an additional EVAP test to be performed. This test is not required for the newer cars. Since this costs additional time and effort on part of smog inspector the cost of smog inspection goes up for older cars. Smog check stations do not include these additional costs at the time of advertising the prices but add them up later once the smog check is completed. Customers need to beware of this and clarify the final costs upfront before committing  to a smog station.

Some smog check stations also charge EFT (Electronic Transmission) fee to make up for the toll cost they pay as the smog machine is transmitting your vehicle's information via a dedicated phone line. This fee is usually between between $1-$3, and is charged regardless of whether your vehicle passes or fails the smog inspection.
 
The State of California does not regulate the actual cost of the inspection because it is a privately owned industry, however they do require the certificate fee which you pay at the smog station, but ends up at the State. Some parts of the State where smog inspections are not so common, shops may choose to charge more per inspection to make up the cost of maintenance.

 
What you should know about Quik Smog in Mountain View, CA

Quik Smog is a star certified smog check station licensed by the State of California to perform smog checks on nearly every vehicle.

While Quik Smog's prices change depending on the vehicles model, year and STAR, they do not charge any additional fees. They send certificate electronically to DMV  FREE saving you time and money. For vehicles 1995 though 1989, Quik Smog only changes $10 extra and only $5 extra for STAR. This makes Quik Smog best priced, honest and most convenient station of them all! Call, ask and discover for yourself!
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