California Smog Check Pricing

What a smog check really costs

Straight answers on California smog check pricing — the inspection fee, the state certificate fee, and what makes the price vary between stations. Sourced from state Bureau of Automotive Repair program rules.

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Today's smog check deals

Locked coupon rates at our featured STAR stations — claimed online, honored right at the counter.

Encinitas★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $80You pay only $65
SAVE $15 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →
Oceanside★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
Oceanside STAR Smog Check
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $60You pay only $50
SAVE $10 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →
San Diego★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
San Diego STAR Smog Check
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $60You pay only $50
SAVE $10 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →
Los Angeles★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
Los Angeles STAR Smog Check
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $60You pay only $50
SAVE $10 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →
Temecula★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
APEX Smog Check 2
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $60You pay only $50
SAVE $10 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →
Carlsbad★ TODAY'S DEAL ★
Carlsbad STAR Smog Check
STAR Smog Inspection
Regular $80You pay only $65
SAVE $15 · SAVE15

+ $8.25 state certificate fee, only if your vehicle passes · most cars · +$10 SUV, truck & van

Honored right at the counter. One per customer. Not combinable with other offers.

Claim & Book →

The short answer

How much does a smog check cost in California?

Typical range $30-$90.

  • STAR slightly more
  • $8.25 certificate fee separate
  • Diesel/hybrid often higher

Per BAR (California Bureau of Automotive Repair).

Why does smog check pricing vary between shops?

Vehicle type.

  • STAR vs regular
  • Test-only vs test+repair
  • Location overhead

Per BAR (California Bureau of Automotive Repair).

What is the $8.25 certificate fee?

State-set fee.

  • Applies to passes only
  • Covers BAR electronic transmission
  • Not a shop markup

Per BAR (California Bureau of Automotive Repair).

Is the certificate fee charged if my car fails?

Only paid if passing.

  • Failed tests have inspection fee only
  • Retest after repair is often discounted
  • No DMV submission until pass

Per BAR (California Bureau of Automotive Repair).

Do you accept credit cards for smog check?

All major cards accepted.

  • Apple pay supported
  • Cash accepted
  • No extra fee for card

Per BAR (California Bureau of Automotive Repair).

Are there any smog check discounts or coupons?

Yes. Every shop in the network runs a new-customer offer — mention it at your visit and it's honored right at the counter.

  • No coupon code required — just mention the offer at the counter
  • Current offers for every shop are posted at calsmognetwork.com/coupons/
  • Walk-ins welcome; no appointment needed to use the offer
  • One offer per customer; cannot be combined with other offers
  • Valid at all Southern California network locations

Cal Smog Network new-customer offer — verify current terms at calsmognetwork.com/coupons/.

Featured network stations

Live Google ratings, pulled 2026-08-02. Tap to call — walk-ins welcome at every station.

Encinitas
Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair
4.91,942 Google reviews
310 Encinitas Blvd #B, Encinitas, CA 92024
Call (760) 753-1000 Visit site
Oceanside
Oceanside STAR Smog Check
4.8686 Google reviews
3940 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
Call (760) 439-8000 Visit site
San Diego
San Diego STAR Smog Check
4.91,146 Google reviews
2484 F St Suite A, San Diego, CA 92102
Call (619) 228-9146 Visit site
Los Angeles
Los Angeles STAR Smog Check
4.9181 Google reviews
1600 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Call (213) 302-2595 Visit site
Temecula
APEX Smog Check 2
4.8150 Google reviews
41892 Enterprise Cir S Suite C, Temecula, CA 92590
Call (951) 296-3040 Visit site
Carlsbad
Carlsbad STAR Smog Check
4.9534 Google reviews
2509 Palomar Airport Rd Suite 115, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Call (760) 814-2021 Visit site

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