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Smog Check Executive Summary Report
June 2024

Download Data (.csv)
  • Initial Tests
  • Initial Test Failures
  • Certification
  • Inspection and Repair Costs
  • Stations and Technicians
  • Smog Check Requirements by Vehicle Type

Initial Tests

Testing Volume

Test Type Performed Failed Failure Rate
Initial Tests 895,794 75,989 8.48%
All Tests 969,850 87,267 9.00%

Initial Tests Performed by STAR Stations

Vehicle Type Test-and-Repair Station Initial Tests Test-Only Station Initial Tests Test-and-Repair Station Certificates Issued Test-Only Station Certificates Issued
Directed 88,522 216,779 77,908 191,511
Non-Directed 153,083 291,826 140,896 270,637
Total 241,605 508,605 218,804 462,148

Initial Tests Performed by Non-STAR Stations

Vehicle Type Test-and-Repair Station Initial Tests Test-Only Station Initial Tests Test-and-Repair Station Certificates Issued Test-Only Station Certificates Issued
Directed 126 0 1 0
Non-Directed 111,587 29,287 104,340 27,331
Total 111,713 29,287 104,341 27,331

BAR-97 Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year

Model Year Initial Tests Failed Overall Overall Failure Rate Emissions Failure Rate Gross Polluter Failure Rate Functional Failure Rate Visual Failure Rate OBDII Failure Rate
1976 349 65 18.62% 11.46% 4.87% 10.89% 4.30% NA
1977 445 70 15.73% 10.79% 3.82% 8.76% 4.72% NA
1978 535 94 17.57% 11.59% 5.61% 8.22% 5.23% NA
1979 479 111 23.17% 17.12% 8.14% 10.65% 4.38% NA
1980 324 57 17.59% 10.80% 6.17% 7.41% 4.32% NA
1981 325 82 25.23% 18.46% 6.77% 10.46% 6.77% NA
1982 324 70 21.60% 15.74% 6.17% 11.11% 6.17% NA
1983 448 91 20.31% 15.85% 6.70% 8.48% 4.02% NA
1984 721 160 22.19% 17.06% 6.80% 8.88% 5.27% NA
1985 1,019 217 21.30% 15.51% 5.99% 9.03% 4.12% NA
1986 1,341 280 20.88% 15.21% 5.52% 8.58% 4.33% NA
1987 1,459 285 19.53% 14.80% 5.83% 7.54% 3.29% NA
1988 1,675 352 21.01% 14.75% 5.25% 8.78% 3.70% NA
1989 2,193 410 18.70% 12.22% 3.42% 9.17% 3.19% NA
1990 2,577 510 19.79% 13.97% 4.11% 8.23% 3.22% NA
1991 2,995 580 19.37% 13.36% 4.31% 7.71% 2.77% NA
1992 2,760 554 20.07% 14.46% 3.73% 8.62% 3.26% NA
1993 3,306 684 20.69% 14.94% 3.27% 8.47% 2.93% NA
1994 4,405 905 20.54% 14.01% 2.91% 8.72% 3.54% NA
1995 4,699 1,011 21.52% 15.16% 2.53% 8.47% 3.70% NA
1996 6,406 1,159 18.09% 9.69% 1.30% 8.91% 2.73% 8.91%
1997 7,775 1,463 18.82% 9.38% 1.39% 10.65% 3.06% 10.65%
1998 11,352 1,906 16.79% 7.93% 1.17% 9.31% 2.54% 9.31%
1999 12,687 2,154 16.98% 6.16% 1.09% 11.22% 2.92% 11.22%
2000 285 34 11.93% 7.72% 2.46% 3.16% 2.46% 3.16%
2001 205 21 10.24% 4.88% 1.95% 3.90% 2.93% 3.92%
2002 239 8 3.35% 2.09% 0.42% 0.42% 1.26% 0.42%
2003 265 14 5.28% 3.77% 1.13% 1.13% 1.13% 1.13%
2004 375 28 7.47% 5.33% 1.87% 1.07% 1.33% 1.07%
2005 233 11 4.72% 3.86% 0.86% 0.00% 0.86% 0.00%
2006 370 10 2.70% 2.43% 0.27% 0.27% 0.27% 0.27%
2007 196 11 5.61% 2.55% 0.51% 0.51% 2.55% 0.51%
2008 275 13 4.73% 3.64% 2.18% 0.73% 1.09% 0.73%
2009 71 4 5.63% 2.82% 1.41% 0.00% 2.82% 0.00%
2010 83 1 1.20% 1.20% 1.20% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2011 123 3 2.44% 0.81% 0.00% 0.00% 1.63% 0.00%
2012 202 3 1.49% 0.50% 0.00% 0.50% 0.99% 0.50%
2013 125 2 1.60% 0.00% 0.00% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%
2014 328 1 0.30% 0.00% 0.00% 0.30% 0.00% 0.30%
2015 182 3 1.65% 1.10% 0.55% 0.55% 0.00% 0.55%
2016 464 6 1.29% 0.43% 0.00% 0.43% 0.43% 0.43%
2017 91 1 1.10% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.10% 0.00%
2018 47 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2019 69 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 39 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2021 34 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2022 50 1 2.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.00% 0.00% 2.00%
2023 69 1 1.45% 1.45% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2024 91 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2025 2 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 75,112 13,446 17.90% 10.37% 2.42% 8.91% 3.03% 9.17%

Note: Some model year 1975 and older vehicles required a Referee inspection (for example, engine changes). Vehicle model years 2000 and newer were tested on the BAR-97 because they may not be compatible with the OIS test (for example, a non-OBD-II certified vehicle).

OIS Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year

Model Year Initial Tests Failed Overall Overall Failure Rate Functional Failure Rate Visual Failure Rate OBDII Failure Rate OBDII Readiness Failure Rate Smoke and/or Liquid Leak Failure Rate
1996 1 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1997 5 1 20.00% 20.00% 0.00% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1998 148 18 12.16% 8.78% 5.41% 8.16% 4.08% 1.25%
1999 596 79 13.26% 11.24% 2.52% 11.15% 8.45% 0.30%
2000 21,990 3,421 15.56% 13.83% 2.96% 13.58% 10.15% 0.45%
2001 18,526 2,958 15.97% 14.00% 3.37% 13.73% 9.75% 0.44%
2002 30,115 3,886 12.90% 10.94% 2.96% 10.72% 7.72% 0.36%
2003 24,279 3,330 13.72% 11.60% 3.33% 11.26% 7.63% 0.49%
2004 40,679 4,513 11.09% 9.57% 2.29% 9.43% 6.64% 0.24%
2005 31,310 3,572 11.41% 9.70% 2.52% 9.51% 6.57% 0.29%
2006 47,051 4,548 9.67% 8.31% 1.97% 8.21% 5.66% 0.16%
2007 35,565 3,324 9.35% 7.89% 2.18% 7.76% 5.12% 0.21%
2008 43,718 3,418 7.82% 6.78% 1.45% 6.70% 4.68% 0.15%
2009 21,576 1,741 8.07% 7.12% 1.34% 7.04% 4.86% 0.12%
2010 44,853 2,986 6.66% 6.08% 0.83% 6.02% 2.94% 0.08%
2011 25,843 2,255 8.73% 7.97% 1.06% 7.87% 3.48% 0.15%
2012 66,623 4,364 6.55% 5.88% 0.89% 5.83% 2.78% 0.07%
2013 30,677 2,325 7.58% 6.79% 1.04% 6.76% 2.95% 0.05%
2014 93,762 4,503 4.80% 4.15% 0.78% 4.13% 1.91% 0.03%
2015 30,314 2,028 6.69% 6.08% 0.89% 6.03% 2.85% 0.07%
2016 120,512 4,720 3.92% 3.50% 0.52% 3.47% 1.64% 0.04%
2017 15,568 873 5.61% 5.26% 0.43% 5.25% 2.92% 0.01%
2018 15,642 754 4.82% 4.63% 0.28% 4.62% 2.85% 0.02%
2019 15,254 797 5.22% 5.02% 0.28% 5.00% 3.57% 0.04%
2020 15,043 688 4.57% 4.41% 0.21% 4.41% 3.22% 0.00%
2021 12,259 514 4.19% 4.00% 0.22% 3.96% 3.03% 0.03%
2022 9,626 483 5.02% 4.90% 0.12% 4.89% 3.94% 0.01%
2023 6,051 199 3.29% 3.19% 0.13% 3.19% 2.41% 0.00%
2024 3,029 235 7.76% 7.73% 0.03% 7.73% 6.61% 0.00%
2025 60 7 11.67% 11.67% 0.00% 11.67% 8.33% 0.00%
Other 7 3 42.86% 28.57% 60.00% 16.67% 16.67% 12.50%
All Model Years 820,682 62,543 7.62% 6.71% 1.31% 6.63% 4.05% 0.14%

Note: Some model year 1999 and older vehicles required a Referee inspection, were tested at Beta stations, or were 1998/1999 model year diesels.

Initial Test Failures

Initial Test Failures by Failure Type

Failure Type OIS BAR-97
Failed Failure Rate Failed Failure Rate
All Emissions NA NA 7,789 10.37%
All Visual 10,772 1.31% 2,276 3.03%
All Functional 55,075 6.71% 6,692 8.91%
OBDII 54,388 6.63% 3,916 9.17%
Overall 62,543 7.62% 13,446 17.90%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 710,574 54,355 7.65% 62,521 11,427 18.28%
Partial Enhanced 40,354 3,050 7.56% 3,742 731 19.54%
Basic 64,935 4,770 7.35% 8,374 1,154 13.78%
Change of Ownership 4,819 368 7.64% 475 134 28.21%
All Program Areas 820,682 62,543 7.62% 75,112 13,446 17.90%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 463,301 37,229 8.04% 45,304 8,056 17.78%
Non-STAR Test-Only 27,415 1,693 6.18% 1,895 207 10.92%
STAR Test-and-Repair 219,960 17,377 7.90% 21,645 4,291 19.82%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 106,214 5,960 5.61% 5,499 730 13.28%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 1,903 93 4.89% 23 2 8.70%
Business Fleet 59 4 6.78% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 4 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 226 120 53.10% 75 46 61.33%
Government Fleet 1,600 67 4.19% 671 114 16.99%
All Stations 820,682 62,543 7.62% 75,112 13,446 17.90%

BAR-97 Initial Test Failure Rate by Vehicle Model Year

BAR-97 Initial Test Failure Rate by Vehicle Model Year. A visual representation of the data of the chart in the BAR-97 Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year table from 1976 to 1999.

Note: Please see tabular data in the BAR-97 Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year table for BAR-97 tests conducted on other vehicle model years not shown in chart.

OIS Initial Test Failure Rate by Vehicle Model Year

A chart showing OIS initial test failure rate by vehicle model year 2000 to 2019. The chart is a visual display of the OIS Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year table.

Note: Please see tabular data in the OIS Initial Tests by Vehicle Model Year table for OIS tests conducted on other vehicle model years not shown in chart.

Certification

Certification Volume

Test Type Certificates Issued Total Certificates Issued Percent No Certificates Issued No Certificates Issued Percent
Initial Tests 814,637 90.94% 81,157 9.06%
All Tests 876,936 90.42% 92,914 9.58%

Certification Volume by Station Type1

Station Type Certificates Issued on Initial Test Total Certificates Issued Percent No Certificates Issued on Initial Test Total No Certificates Issued Percent
STAR Test-and-Repair 218,804 90.56% 22,801 9.44%
STAR Test-Only 462,148 90.87% 46,457 9.13%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 104,341 93.40% 7,372 6.60%
Non-STAR Test-Only 27,331 93.25% 1,979 6.75%
Total 812,624 91.18% 78,609 8.82%

1 Note: Excludes Basic area dealer, Fleets and Referee stations

Inspection and Repair Costs

Inspection Costs by Station and Test Type1

Station Type BAR-97 Initial Test Count Average BAR-97 Inspection Cost OIS Initial Test Count Average OIS Inspection Cost Total Initial Test Count Overall Average Inspection Cost
STAR Test-and-Repair 21,645 $72.35 219,960 $61.21 241,605 $66.78
STAR Test-Only 45,304 $62.05 463,301 $55.34 508,605 $58.70
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 5,499 $69.07 106,214 $71.75 111,713 $70.41
Non-STAR Test-Only 1,895 $60.24 27,415 $50.54 29,310 $55.39
Total 74,343 $67.07 816,890 $62.33 891,233 $64.70

1 Note: Smog Check Inspectors are asked to enter their inspection costs once per month. These costs may or may not include any discounts and may not reflect the actual inspection cost. Additionally, inspection costs entries in excess of $99 cannot be entered into the BAR-97 software.

Inspection Costs by Station and Equipment Type1

Station Type BAR-97 Equipment Only OIS Equipment Only Both Equipment (BAR-97 and OIS)
BAR-97 Initial Test Count Average BAR-97 Inspection Cost OIS Initial Test Count Average OIS Inspection Cost BAR-97 Inspection Count Average BAR-97 Inspection Cost OIS Initial Test Count Average OIS Inspection Cost
STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 454 $58.90 21,645 $72.35 219,506 $61.22
STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 392 $55.70 45,304 $62.05 462,909 $55.34
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 39,823 $74.19 5,499 $69.07 66,391 $69.89
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 8,800 $50.66 1,895 $60.65 18,615 $50.43
Total 0 $0.00 49,469 $70.94 74,343 $67.09 767,421 $60.67

1 Note: Smog Check Inspectors are asked to enter their inspection costs once per month. These costs may or may not include any discounts and may not reflect the actual inspection cost. Additionally, inspection costs entries in excess of $99 cannot be entered into the BAR-97 software.

Repair Costs

Repair Station Type Cost Ranges Vehicles Repaired Average Cost Vehicles Repaired (All Cost Ranges) Average Cost (All Cost Ranges)
STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair, Non-CAP) $1-100 451 $55.25 2,981 $644.05
$101-250 643 $169.74
$251-500 613 $367.87
$501-650 269 $575.18
Over $650 1005 $1,398.63
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $1-100 115 $53.80 669 $593.34
$101-250 196 $181.46
$251-500 139 $367.19
$501-650 49 $589.86
Over $650 170 $1,619.11
Repair-Only $1-100 0 $0.00 0 $0.00
$101-250 0 $0.00
$251-500 0 $0.00
$501-650 0 $0.00
Over $650 0 $0.00
CAP Repairs $1-100 0 $0.00 343 $1,330.50
$101-250 23 $213.78
$251-500 24 $373.81
$501-650 29 $575.88
Over $650 267 $1,594.66
Total Repairs $1-100 566 $54.95 3,993 $694.52
$101-250 862 $173.58
$251-500 776 $367.93
$501-650 347 $577.31
Over $650 1442 $1,460.92

Note: Non-CAP repair costs are based solely on Smog Check Inspector entries. The majority of non-CAP repairs are not entered into the repair database and therefore not included in this summary.

Stations and Technicians

Licensed Stations by Type/Privilege and Program Area

Station Type Basic Change-of-Ownership Enhanced Partial Total
STAR Test-and-Repair 112 36 1,670 78 1,896
STAR Test-Only 19 3 1,666 36 1,724
STAR Sub-Total 131 39 3,336 114 3,620
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 430 48 1,754 188 2,420
Non-STAR Test-Only 37 10 309 33 389
Non-STAR Sub-Total 467 58 2,063 221 2,809
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 50 0 0 0 50
Business Fleet 0 0 3 0 3
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 0 12 1 13
Referee 5 0 30 0 35
Government Fleet 44 5 299 13 361
Repair Only 1 0 32 1 34
Other Station Sub-Total 100 5 376 15 496
All Stations 698 102 5,775 350 6,925

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 1 252 1,563
STAR Test-Only 2 139 1,524
STAR Sub-Total 3 391 3,087
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 1,582 264
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 159 90
Non-STAR Sub-Total 0 1,741 354
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 3 0
Business Fleet 0 1 0
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 0 41 4
Government Fleet 6 131 26
Referee 0 6 28
Other Station Sub-Total 6 182 58
All Stations 9 2,314 3,499

Referee Inspections

Inspection Type Total Completed
Smog Inspection/Repair Disputes 582
Law Enforcement Citations 406
BAR Referrals 196
CAT BAR Label 118
Repair Cost Waiver + Parts Locator Service 125
Engine Change/Replacement 93
Clean Gas 64
OBD Monitor Issues 17
Specially Constructed Vehicle/Kit Car 35
Grey Market 16
All Inspections 1,652

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 214 87
Repair Cost Waiver 41 4
Limited Parts Exemption 10 1
Exempt Vehicle 6 11
Exempted by Directive 5 0
Hardship Extensions 1 0
All Certificates Issued 277 103

Technicians

License Type Licenses
EO (Inspect Only) 4,611
EO + EI (Inspect and Repair) 3,960
GU (Government) 237
All License Types 8,808

Smog Check Requirements by Vehicle Type

Fuel Type Model-Year GVWR1 OBD II Equipped? Smog Check Required
All2 (except Diesel) Four model-years and newer3 All ‐ None
Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth model-years4 All ‐ None
1975 and earlier All ‐ None
Gasoline and Flex Fuel
(Methanol or Ethanol)
1976-1999 All ‐ BAR-97
2000 and newer 14,000 and less Yes5 BAR-OIS
No BAR-97
Over 14,000 ‐ BAR-97
Hybrid 2000 and newer 14,000 and less Yes BAR-OIS
Dedicated Propane and Natural Gas
(CNG, LNG, or LPG)
1976-1999 14,000 and less ‐ BAR-97
Over 14,000 ‐ None
2000 and newer 14,000 and less Yes BAR-OIS
No BAR-97
Over 14,000 ‐ None
Diesel 1976-1997 All ‐ None
1998 and newer 14,000 and less Yes BAR-OIS
Over 14,000 ‐ None6
Full Electric Powered All All ‐ None
Motorcycle All All ‐ None
Other Vehicles: Two Cylinder Engine,
Two-stroke Engine,
Off-highway Registered
All All ‐ None

1 Gross vehicle weight rating
2 Includes gasoline, flex fuel, hybrid, dedicated propane, and natural gas vehicles. A Smog Check is required for all out-of-state 1976 model-year and newer vehicles registering in California for the first time and other initial registration events determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
3 Vehicles four model-years and newer are not subject to biennial (every other year) or change-of-ownership Smog Checks. Add four to the model-year of a vehicle to determine the first year a vehicle will be subject to a change-of-ownership Smog Check. For example, a 2020 model-year vehicle will be first subject to a change-of-ownership Smog Check in 2024 (2020+4=2024).
4 Fifth through eighth model-year vehicles are not subject to biennial Smog Checks. However, a change-of-ownership Smog Check is required. Add eight to the model-year of a vehicle to determine the first year a vehicle will be subject to a biennial Smog Check. For example, a 2020 model-year vehicle will be first subject to a biennial Smog Check in 2028 (2020+8=2028).
5 BAR has identified some vehicles that have GVWR of 14,000 and less or that have problematic OBD II systems that may require the BAR-97 test.
6 CARB’s Clean Truck Check Program replaces the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) effective October 1, 2024. Vehicles with 2012 and older model year engines are required to undergo an opacity test and a vehicle emissions control equipment inspection. Vehicles with 2013 and newer model year engines are required to undergo OBD testing. See CARB’s Clean Truck Check webpage for details.

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