Skip to Main Content
Visit www.ca.gov/lafires for information and resources for Californians impacted by the Los Angeles Fires.
Renewal Fee Postponement for Los Angeles Fire Survivors Information
CA.govCA.gov Logo image
Home Facebook Twitter YouTube
 Contact Us  Translate  Accessibility
Bureau of Automotive Repair Logo
  • Consumers
    • Consumer Assistance Program
    • Maintenance and repairs
    • Smog Check inspections
    • Safety systems inspections
    • Check inspection history
    • Get a collision repair inspection
    • Find an auto shop
    • Check a license
    • File a complaint
  • Licensees
    • News
    • Business licenses
    • Inspector/technician licenses
    • Training
    • Repairs and services
    • Safety systems
    • Smog Check
    • STAR
    • Laws and regulations
    • ET Blasts
    • Newsletter
  • Industry
    • News and updates
    • Certified training providers
    • Government fleet facilities
    • Cars for Schools program
    • Careers
  • Information
    • About BAR
    • BAR Advisory Group
    • Educational Advisory Group
    • Public workshops
    • Laws and regulations
    • Regulatory actions
    • Enforcement actions
    • Publications, reports, forms
    • Records requests
    • Join our email list
  • Online Services
    • Find an auto shop
    • Check a license
    • File a complaint
    • Check CAP application status
    • Submit CAP documentation
    • Search enforcement actions
    • Check STAR score
    • Apply for a business license
    • Apply for an individual license
    • Renew a license
    • Print a license
    • View all
Custom Google Search
  1. Home

Smog Check Executive Summary Report
January 2025

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 984,481 85,801 8.72%
All Tests 1,063,192 98,063 9.22%

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 96,719 235,028 84,887 206,492
Non-Directed 169,559 317,193 155,524 293,797
Total 266,278 552,221 240,411 500,289

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 0 0 0 0
Non-Directed 126,779 33,659 118,523 31,290
Total 126,779 33,659 118,523 31,290

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 325 64 19.69% 14.77% 7.69% 8.00% 4.62% NA
1977 385 79 20.52% 14.29% 4.68% 8.05% 5.45% NA
1978 422 89 21.09% 13.98% 4.98% 9.24% 6.87% NA
1979 519 92 17.73% 12.52% 4.82% 8.09% 4.82% NA
1980 222 45 20.27% 13.51% 6.31% 9.91% 8.56% NA
1981 282 58 20.57% 16.31% 7.45% 8.87% 6.74% NA
1982 273 65 23.81% 17.58% 8.42% 9.52% 5.86% NA
1983 320 88 27.50% 21.25% 8.44% 9.38% 4.69% NA
1984 635 124 19.53% 15.43% 5.98% 7.24% 4.25% NA
1985 910 194 21.32% 17.03% 6.15% 8.24% 4.29% NA
1986 1,125 240 21.33% 15.38% 6.84% 9.51% 4.89% NA
1987 1,353 297 21.95% 16.33% 4.88% 9.39% 3.62% NA
1988 1,561 336 21.52% 15.44% 3.97% 8.71% 4.23% NA
1989 2,051 412 20.09% 13.70% 4.05% 9.51% 3.80% NA
1990 2,324 468 20.14% 13.73% 3.70% 9.08% 3.66% NA
1991 2,573 518 20.13% 13.99% 3.73% 9.09% 3.15% NA
1992 2,564 497 19.38% 13.57% 3.55% 8.23% 3.04% NA
1993 2,923 655 22.41% 16.22% 3.56% 8.69% 2.84% NA
1994 3,934 853 21.68% 15.58% 3.08% 8.57% 3.13% NA
1995 5,342 1,064 19.92% 14.32% 2.49% 7.99% 3.20% NA
1996 4,924 1,005 20.41% 11.09% 1.36% 10.70% 3.31% 10.71%
1997 8,049 1,604 19.93% 9.86% 1.38% 10.81% 3.42% 10.81%
1998 8,901 1,800 20.22% 9.20% 1.56% 11.85% 3.94% 11.85%
1999 14,135 2,365 16.73% 6.44% 0.81% 10.48% 2.89% 10.48%
2000 243 22 9.05% 6.58% 3.29% 2.06% 1.23% 2.06%
2001 214 20 9.35% 4.67% 1.87% 2.34% 2.34% 2.34%
2002 209 13 6.22% 5.74% 2.39% 0.96% 0.48% 0.97%
2003 266 17 6.39% 5.64% 1.50% 1.13% 0.38% 1.13%
2004 241 15 6.22% 4.15% 2.07% 1.24% 1.66% 1.24%
2005 290 16 5.52% 5.17% 0.69% 0.34% 0.00% 0.34%
2006 289 20 6.92% 5.19% 2.42% 0.69% 1.38% 0.69%
2007 270 17 6.30% 5.56% 1.48% 0.37% 1.11% 0.37%
2008 221 6 2.71% 1.36% 0.90% 1.36% 0.90% 1.36%
2009 78 3 3.85% 3.85% 1.28% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2010 48 1 2.08% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.08% 0.00%
2011 160 2 1.25% 0.00% 0.00% 1.25% 0.00% 1.25%
2012 145 2 1.38% 0.69% 0.00% 0.69% 0.00% 0.69%
2013 178 1 0.56% 0.56% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2014 174 4 2.30% 0.57% 0.00% 1.72% 0.00% 1.72%
2015 273 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2016 355 3 0.85% 0.28% 0.00% 0.56% 0.28% 0.56%
2017 397 1 0.25% 0.25% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2018 70 2 2.86% 1.43% 0.00% 0.00% 1.43% 0.00%
2019 69 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 39 2 5.13% 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 0.00% 2.56%
2021 33 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2022 53 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2023 41 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2024 91 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2025 27 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other 1 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 70,527 13,179 18.69% 10.86% 2.36% 9.31% 3.29% 9.80%

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 3 1 33.33% 0.00% 33.33% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1998 151 17 11.26% 9.27% 2.65% 8.78% 4.73% 0.62%
1999 518 66 12.74% 12.36% 0.77% 12.06% 7.39% 0.34%
2000 16,155 2,864 17.73% 15.87% 3.43% 15.59% 11.58% 0.55%
2001 23,974 3,789 15.80% 14.06% 3.00% 13.82% 10.06% 0.47%
2002 21,589 3,399 15.74% 13.85% 3.13% 13.56% 9.29% 0.51%
2003 33,038 4,295 13.00% 11.39% 2.62% 11.16% 7.75% 0.45%
2004 28,813 3,760 13.05% 11.45% 2.67% 11.24% 7.68% 0.38%
2005 41,558 4,624 11.13% 9.70% 2.21% 9.56% 6.77% 0.27%
2006 35,642 4,161 11.67% 10.27% 2.33% 10.04% 6.76% 0.37%
2007 49,813 4,526 9.09% 7.80% 1.86% 7.65% 5.09% 0.24%
2008 35,492 3,462 9.75% 8.61% 1.73% 8.45% 5.92% 0.26%
2009 30,602 2,358 7.71% 6.95% 1.15% 6.85% 4.84% 0.17%
2010 28,827 2,662 9.23% 8.53% 1.15% 8.43% 3.86% 0.16%
2011 49,739 3,730 7.50% 6.89% 0.90% 6.85% 3.30% 0.07%
2012 37,167 3,447 9.27% 8.49% 1.17% 8.44% 3.75% 0.10%
2013 78,362 4,907 6.26% 5.55% 0.91% 5.50% 2.63% 0.07%
2014 43,398 3,240 7.47% 6.78% 0.98% 6.72% 2.97% 0.09%
2015 102,476 4,850 4.73% 4.14% 0.71% 4.11% 2.09% 0.04%
2016 50,899 3,231 6.35% 5.81% 0.72% 5.76% 2.55% 0.07%
2017 106,351 4,133 3.89% 3.49% 0.51% 3.46% 1.91% 0.05%
2018 16,546 844 5.10% 4.86% 0.34% 4.83% 2.74% 0.04%
2019 16,455 922 5.60% 5.34% 0.35% 5.32% 3.64% 0.02%
2020 14,400 734 5.10% 4.96% 0.19% 4.96% 3.63% 0.00%
2021 21,509 1,098 5.10% 4.93% 0.21% 4.92% 3.76% 0.00%
2022 13,446 589 4.38% 4.29% 0.10% 4.28% 3.30% 0.01%
2023 9,124 429 4.70% 4.57% 0.13% 4.57% 3.51% 0.00%
2024 6,601 337 5.11% 5.08% 0.03% 5.08% 4.21% 0.00%
2025 1,298 144 11.09% 11.09% 0.00% 11.20% 9.80% 0.00%
Other 7 3 42.86% 14.29% 42.86% 16.67% 16.67% 0.00%
All Model Years 913,954 72,622 7.95% 7.11% 1.25% 7.02% 4.26% 0.16%

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 7,657 10.86%
All Visual 11,438 1.25% 2,318 3.29%
All Functional 64,999 7.11% 6,568 9.31%
OBDII 64,162 7.02% 3,967 9.80%
Overall 72,622 7.95% 13,179 18.69%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 789,011 62,777 7.96% 58,444 11,159 19.09%
Partial Enhanced 45,458 3,629 7.98% 3,561 738 20.72%
Basic 73,966 5,793 7.83% 8,081 1,200 14.85%
Change of Ownership 5,519 423 7.66% 441 82 18.59%
All Program Areas 913,954 72,622 7.95% 70,527 13,179 18.69%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 509,903 42,789 8.39% 42,318 7,783 18.39%
Non-STAR Test-Only 31,990 2,087 6.52% 1,720 229 13.31%
STAR Test-and-Repair 245,580 20,280 8.26% 20,698 4,304 20.79%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 121,806 7,013 5.76% 5,133 688 13.40%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 2,116 111 5.25% 31 2 6.45%
Business Fleet 428 6 1.40% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 5 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 341 224 65.69% 99 58 58.59%
Government Fleet 1,785 112 6.27% 528 115 21.78%
All Stations 913,954 72,622 7.95% 70,527 13,179 18.69%

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 893,114 90.72% 91,367 9.28%
All Tests 959,090 90.21% 104,102 9.79%

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 240,411 90.29% 25,867 9.71%
STAR Test-Only 500,289 90.60% 51,932 9.40%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 118,523 93.37% 8,416 6.63%
Non-STAR Test-Only 31,290 92.82% 2,420 7.18%
Total 890,513 90.95% 88,635 9.05%

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 20,698 $74.57 245,580 $62.00 266,278 $68.28
STAR Test-Only 42,318 $63.63 509,903 $55.90 552,221 $59.77
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 5,133 $70.07 121,806 $72.48 126,939 $71.28
Non-STAR Test-Only 1,720 $56.97 31,990 $51.04 33,710 $54.00
Total 69,869 $68.84 909,279 $63.09 979,148 $65.97

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 $0.00 426 $52.51 20,698 $74.58 245,154 $62.04
STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 1,237 $47.53 42,318 $63.64 508,666 $55.94
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 48,635 $75.51 5,133 $69.99 73,171 $69.98
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 10,330 $51.98 1,720 $56.97 21,660 $50.06
Total 0 $0.00 60,628 $72.09 69,869 $68.84 848,651 $61.21

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) $1-100 468 $54.94 3,072 $680.92
$101-250 646 $175.48
$251-500 620 $367.73
$501-650 256 $573.21
Over $650 1082 $1,458.38
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $1-100 108 $52.10 709 $659.71
$101-250 195 $177.99
$251-500 152 $376.21
$501-650 53 $583.40
Over $650 201 $1,688.04
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 1 $0.00 284 $1,314.89
$101-250 8 $220.50
$251-500 24 $379.63
$501-650 24 $572.10
Over $650 227 $1,536.67
Total Repairs $1-100 577 $54.32 4,065 $721.51
$101-250 849 $176.48
$251-500 796 $369.71
$501-650 333 $574.75
Over $650 1510 $1,500.72

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 114 36 1,639 79 1,868
STAR Test-Only 18 3 1,687 38 1,746
STAR Sub-Total 132 39 3,326 117 3,614
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 420 49 1,733 182 2,384
Non-STAR Test-Only 37 9 295 36 377
Non-STAR Sub-Total 457 58 2,028 218 2,761
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 5 300 13 362
Repair Only 1 0 27 1 29
Other Station Sub-Total 100 5 372 15 492
All Stations 689 102 5,726 350 6,867

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 1 282 1,499
STAR Test-Only 0 158 1,511
STAR Sub-Total 1 440 3,010
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 1,568 254
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 175 88
Non-STAR Sub-Total 0 1,743 342
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 3 0
Business Fleet 0 2 0
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 0 43 3
Government Fleet 6 127 23
Referee 0 1 31
Other Station Sub-Total 6 176 57
All Stations 7 2,359 3,409

Referee Inspections

Inspection Type Total Completed
Smog Inspection/Repair Disputes 442
BAR Referrals 423
Law Enforcement Citations 335
Clean Gas 150
Repair Cost Waiver + Parts Locator Service 113
Engine Change/Replacement 72
CAT BAR Label 64
OBD Monitor Issues 18
Specially Constructed Vehicle/Kit Car 15
Grey Market 11
All Inspections 1,643

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 199 85
Repair Cost Waiver 32 4
Limited Parts Exemption 5 1
Exempt Vehicle 3 13
Exempted by Directive 9 0
Hardship Extensions 0 0
All Certificates Issued 248 103

Technicians

Technician License Type Technicians Conducting Tests Total Licensed Technicians
EO (Inspect Only) 4,618 7,359
EO+EI (Inspect and Repair) 3,925 5,099
All License Types 8,543 12,458

FPR Score Distribution

License Type FPR Score < 0.10 FPR Score ≥ 0.10 and < 0.40 FPR Score ≥ 0.40 No Score Total
Stations 250 1,120 3,651 1,354 6,375
Inspectors 302 1,639 5,459 5,058 12,458

Station FPR Score Distribution

Inspector FPR Score Distribution

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.

  • Back to Top
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Web Accessibility Certification
  • Careers
  • Register to Vote
Copyright © State of California