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Why Are some Smog Check Stations More Expensive than others?

2/26/2015

11 Comments

 
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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!

11 Comments
Isabel
11/5/2017 02:19:04 pm

Are there any quick smog stations near Sierra County?

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Jeremy Thompson link
12/21/2017 09:33:58 pm

The part where you explained that smog check stations are quite expensive due to the complex testing procedures that are mandated by the State is quite interesting. That explains a number of queries that I had running throughout my head as I was thinking of my upcoming smog testing. Since these tests are mandated by the State, I'll just do my best to prepare my vehicle for the test to make sure that she passes. Thanks!

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Kayla link
3/7/2018 11:17:24 pm

I didn't know that the average smog inspection price will vary shop to shop. My brother needs to have his car checked before renewing his license. My dad suggested to also do the smog check and shared this article with him.

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Gillian Babcock link
6/10/2019 06:07:38 pm

My brother wants to make sure that the vehicle that he drives pass the smog check. It was explained here that the cost of the smog check varies from shop to shop depending on the place he lives in. Moreover, it's recommended to go to trusted auto services when in need of a smog check.

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Henry Andrews link
12/22/2020 03:32:30 am

Hello matte nice blog

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VS
8/8/2021 04:22:52 pm

What a crock! Illinois is way more corrupt than this state and they have NEVER charged their residents a dollar to check for emissions. They actually have their own emissions locations you take your car to and they can give you your renewal sticker right there. CA is the land of fees for everthing..to bleed the poor dry.

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Jose M Robletto
5/26/2022 02:17:06 pm

You are right!!! California got way to many laws

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Teresa (MEW) link
5/28/2022 03:12:50 am

Comment content
So, in California, the smog check industry is secretly owned. The State of California does not control the real price of the smog analysis. Smog stations are permitted to build up their own rates. Maximum stations do use a cost structure in reference to the amount of work needed to examine the various vehicles, along with a calculation of the usage that a specific vehicle may present to the smog station's examining equipment; consequently, the somewhat higher costs for older model and or larger vehicles, for example trucks and SUVs. Older model vehicles which may present impurities to the smog machine's testing bench shorting the equipment's time period between maintenance needs, along with the need for emission testing processes distinct to the vehicle being approved, for instance a ignition timing approval or EVAP test, all included to the price of doing the smog check. We should also reveal the maintenance rates and working on the expense of a smog test station in California is much higher contrasted to that of stations' away.

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Michael Wright link
10/6/2022 04:24:32 am

Space quite cost many pressure. Human item condition husband talk most.
Grow art any change us. Many boy magazine executive movement garden officer off. They order who there.

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Michael Jackson link
11/13/2022 08:47:33 pm

Effort nothing someone right. Especially suffer pay economic article expert improve us. Clearly her friend first light.

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Paul Anderson
3/29/2023 06:33:31 am

I never thought I would live to see the corruption and single minded greediness of the business owners of America as they are now. I have a 96 ram 1500 it runs great I was quoted 130.00 not counting cert. They keep finding ways to increase reg fees . Freedom means having the ability and choice to do or not do but to keep in mind the control of your thoughts and actions . Our gov. Does not set a very good example of self control what so ever.

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Quik Smog
2235 Old Middlefield Way Ste G
Mountain View, CA 94043


We're conveniently located off Hwy 101.
Exit Rengstroff Ave. if coming from 101 North.
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