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Smog Check Executive Summary Report
October 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 901,529 75,921 8.42%
All Tests 975,500 87,465 8.97%

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 88,213 217,722 77,778 193,630
Non-Directed 151,885 292,729 138,216 270,617
Total 240,098 510,451 215,994 464,247

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 134 42 1 1
Non-Directed 112,909 32,730 105,288 30,551
Total 113,043 32,772 105,289 30,552

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 286 55 19.23% 11.54% 3.50% 8.39% 4.55% NA
1977 351 69 19.66% 14.25% 4.84% 8.55% 2.56% NA
1978 407 77 18.92% 14.74% 5.16% 6.39% 3.93% NA
1979 493 89 18.05% 13.79% 5.48% 5.88% 3.25% NA
1980 266 50 18.80% 12.03% 5.64% 8.27% 5.26% NA
1981 300 66 22.00% 16.33% 5.67% 9.00% 5.33% NA
1982 305 56 18.36% 13.44% 3.61% 7.54% 5.57% NA
1983 376 68 18.09% 14.10% 5.32% 7.98% 2.93% NA
1984 660 145 21.97% 15.91% 7.58% 8.18% 5.15% NA
1985 799 165 20.65% 16.15% 5.13% 7.88% 3.88% NA
1986 1,107 225 20.33% 15.54% 6.23% 8.94% 5.06% NA
1987 1,386 275 19.84% 14.79% 4.40% 7.22% 3.54% NA
1988 1,449 279 19.25% 14.42% 4.49% 6.69% 3.04% NA
1989 2,095 368 17.57% 11.89% 3.44% 7.88% 2.72% NA
1990 2,050 382 18.63% 12.29% 3.66% 7.90% 2.93% NA
1991 2,631 469 17.83% 11.97% 3.34% 7.83% 3.08% NA
1992 2,237 424 18.95% 12.07% 3.44% 8.72% 3.22% NA
1993 3,042 624 20.51% 14.56% 3.19% 8.65% 2.86% NA
1994 3,479 683 19.63% 13.74% 2.99% 8.05% 2.76% NA
1995 5,112 925 18.09% 12.99% 2.31% 6.47% 2.86% NA
1996 3,950 751 19.01% 9.95% 1.24% 9.95% 3.34% 9.95%
1997 7,476 1,366 18.27% 8.47% 1.16% 10.37% 2.92% 10.37%
1998 7,660 1,393 18.19% 7.64% 1.31% 11.06% 3.54% 11.06%
1999 12,029 1,847 15.35% 5.05% 0.77% 10.29% 2.97% 10.29%
2000 239 32 13.39% 10.88% 5.44% 2.93% 3.35% 2.93%
2001 224 15 6.70% 4.46% 3.12% 1.34% 1.34% 1.34%
2002 207 15 7.25% 3.86% 1.45% 1.45% 2.90% 1.45%
2003 222 16 7.21% 5.86% 1.80% 0.45% 1.35% 0.45%
2004 210 12 5.71% 2.86% 0.48% 1.43% 1.90% 1.43%
2005 232 16 6.90% 4.74% 1.72% 0.43% 1.72% 0.43%
2006 278 12 4.32% 3.60% 1.80% 0.00% 0.72% 0.00%
2007 261 12 4.60% 3.45% 1.15% 1.15% 0.38% 1.15%
2008 224 15 6.70% 4.02% 0.89% 1.34% 2.23% 1.34%
2009 82 2 2.44% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.44% 0.00%
2010 64 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2011 184 3 1.63% 0.54% 0.54% 1.09% 0.00% 1.09%
2012 201 1 0.50% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.50% 0.00%
2013 347 4 1.15% 0.58% 0.00% 0.29% 0.29% 0.29%
2014 227 4 1.76% 0.44% 0.00% 0.44% 0.88% 0.44%
2015 584 5 0.86% 0.17% 0.00% 0.68% 0.00% 0.69%
2016 289 4 1.38% 0.69% 0.00% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35%
2017 568 6 1.06% 0.70% 0.00% 0.35% 0.00% 0.35%
2018 94 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2019 85 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 43 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2021 49 2 4.08% 4.08% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2022 41 1 2.44% 2.44% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2023 20 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2024 55 1 1.82% 0.00% 0.00% 1.82% 0.00% 1.82%
2025 116 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2026 15 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 65,107 11,029 16.94% 9.54% 2.19% 8.47% 2.99% 9.07%

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 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1997 6 1 16.67% 0.00% 16.67% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1998 128 11 8.59% 8.59% 0.00% 7.87% 4.72% 0.71%
1999 495 68 13.74% 11.31% 2.83% 10.98% 9.15% 0.72%
2000 13,723 2,309 16.83% 14.90% 3.48% 14.67% 10.64% 0.49%
2001 22,497 3,457 15.37% 13.69% 2.87% 13.48% 9.74% 0.38%
2002 18,536 2,815 15.19% 13.28% 3.44% 13.03% 8.87% 0.47%
2003 30,594 3,881 12.69% 11.15% 2.55% 10.90% 7.54% 0.45%
2004 23,671 3,161 13.35% 11.64% 2.86% 11.36% 7.62% 0.46%
2005 36,047 4,111 11.40% 9.99% 2.31% 9.78% 6.71% 0.35%
2006 29,100 3,291 11.31% 9.75% 2.54% 9.53% 6.34% 0.38%
2007 46,372 4,054 8.74% 7.57% 1.77% 7.45% 4.90% 0.25%
2008 27,923 2,651 9.49% 8.31% 1.81% 8.17% 5.47% 0.27%
2009 28,158 2,335 8.29% 7.35% 1.42% 7.23% 5.12% 0.22%
2010 23,903 2,214 9.26% 8.51% 1.23% 8.45% 3.73% 0.15%
2011 43,678 3,374 7.72% 7.08% 0.96% 7.01% 3.25% 0.12%
2012 28,762 2,645 9.20% 8.33% 1.31% 8.24% 3.45% 0.16%
2013 73,851 4,807 6.51% 5.75% 0.97% 5.68% 2.73% 0.10%
2014 31,749 2,379 7.49% 6.85% 0.97% 6.79% 2.96% 0.09%
2015 102,481 5,333 5.20% 4.51% 0.84% 4.47% 2.20% 0.06%
2016 30,382 1,834 6.04% 5.54% 0.72% 5.48% 2.67% 0.08%
2017 122,783 5,327 4.34% 3.95% 0.51% 3.92% 1.98% 0.04%
2018 18,735 934 4.99% 4.68% 0.42% 4.67% 2.78% 0.02%
2019 16,314 892 5.47% 5.25% 0.32% 5.23% 3.43% 0.03%
2020 13,045 681 5.22% 5.05% 0.23% 5.01% 3.46% 0.04%
2021 14,397 638 4.43% 4.20% 0.28% 4.19% 3.07% 0.02%
2022 11,669 507 4.34% 4.20% 0.17% 4.18% 3.08% 0.02%
2023 11,121 487 4.38% 4.22% 0.22% 4.19% 3.25% 0.03%
2024 10,324 453 4.39% 4.34% 0.07% 4.34% 3.61% 0.00%
2025 5,538 237 4.28% 4.17% 0.11% 4.21% 3.38% 0.00%
2026 433 2 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.00% 0.00% 0.46%
Other 7 2 28.57% 14.29% 16.67% 14.29% 14.29% 0.00%
All Model Years 836,422 64,891 7.76% 6.92% 1.27% 6.83% 4.06% 0.17%

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 6,212 9.54%
All Visual 10,600 1.27% 1,946 2.99%
All Functional 57,902 6.92% 5,515 8.47%
OBDII 57,093 6.83% 3,289 9.07%
Overall 64,891 7.76% 11,029 16.94%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 720,590 55,729 7.73% 53,872 9,290 17.24%
Partial Enhanced 42,225 3,432 8.13% 3,288 582 17.70%
Basic 68,190 5,281 7.74% 7,512 1,072 14.27%
Change of Ownership 5,417 449 8.29% 435 85 19.54%
All Program Areas 836,422 64,891 7.76% 65,107 11,029 16.94%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 471,216 37,847 8.03% 39,235 6,488 16.54%
Non-STAR Test-Only 31,278 1,919 6.14% 1,494 151 10.11%
STAR Test-and-Repair 221,232 18,381 8.31% 18,866 3,677 19.49%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 108,375 6,246 5.76% 4,668 559 11.98%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 1,811 96 5.30% 35 4 11.43%
Business Fleet 295 3 1.02% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 26 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 397 284 71.54% 83 51 61.45%
Government Fleet 1,792 115 6.42% 726 99 13.64%
All Stations 836,422 64,891 7.76% 65,107 11,029 16.94%

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 818,276 90.77% 83,253 9.23%
All Tests 880,182 90.23% 95,318 9.77%

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 215,994 89.96% 24,104 10.04%
STAR Test-Only 464,247 90.95% 46,204 9.05%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 105,289 93.14% 7,754 6.86%
Non-STAR Test-Only 30,552 93.23% 2,220 6.77%
Total 816,082 91.04% 80,282 8.96%

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 18,866 $77.15 221,232 $63.19 240,098 $70.17
STAR Test-Only 39,235 $65.60 471,216 $57.18 510,451 $61.39
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 4,668 $71.08 108,375 $75.22 113,043 $73.15
Non-STAR Test-Only 1,494 $61.59 31,278 $55.54 32,772 $58.57
Total 64,263 $70.92 832,101 $64.85 896,364 $67.88

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 $0.00 348 $49.63 18,866 $77.15 220,884 $63.23
STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 1,743 $43.58 39,235 $65.60 469,473 $57.26
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 45,173 $79.08 4,668 $71.08 63,202 $71.72
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 13,350 $59.39 1,494 $61.61 17,928 $49.75
Total 0 $0.00 60,614 $75.46 64,263 $70.93 771,487 $62.41

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) $0-100 436 $54.32 2,921 $659.03
$101-250 637 $174.53
$251-500 553 $364.33
$501-650 245 $571.58
Over $651 1050 $1,379.66
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $0-100 84 $63.71 596 $751.79
$101-250 119 $180.96
$251-500 139 $355.04
$501-650 41 $580.73
Over $651 213 $1,633.91
Repair-Only $0-100 0 $0.00 0 $0.00
$101-250 0 $0.00
$251-500 0 $0.00
$501-650 0 $0.00
Over $651 0 $0.00
CAP Repairs $0-100 3 $58.75 474 $1,461.63
$101-250 18 $221.47
$251-500 40 $356.91
$501-650 41 $590.39
Over $651 372 $1,747.76
Total Repairs $0-100 523 $55.86 3,991 $768.20
$101-250 774 $176.61
$251-500 732 $362.16
$501-650 327 $575.09
Over $651 1635 $1,496.53

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 110 32 1,591 79 1,812
STAR Test-Only 20 4 1,687 39 1,750
STAR Sub-Total 130 36 3,278 118 3,562
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 431 47 1,722 183 2,383
Non-STAR Test-Only 40 9 329 42 420
Non-STAR Sub-Total 471 56 2,051 225 2,803
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 49 0 0 0 49
Business Fleet 0 0 3 0 3
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 0 12 1 13
Referee 5 0 29 1 35
Government Fleet 44 5 303 13 365
Repair Only 1 0 22 1 24
Other Station Sub-Total 99 5 369 16 489
All Stations 700 97 5,698 359 6,854

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 1 283 1,457
STAR Test-Only 0 160 1,526
STAR Sub-Total 1 443 2,983
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 1 1,567 239
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 214 68
Non-STAR Sub-Total 1 1,781 307
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 3 0
Business Fleet 0 2 0
Test and Repair/Dealer 0 41 4
Government Fleet 5 140 28
Referee 0 1 32
Other Station Sub-Total 5 187 64
All Stations 7 2,411 3,354

Referee Inspections

Inspection Type Total Completed
Smog Inspection/Repair Disputes 556
BAR Referrals 486
Law Enforcement Citations 406
Repair Cost Waiver + Parts Locator Service 166
Clean Gas 142
Engine Change/Replacement 114
CAT BAR Label 51
OBD Monitor Issues 25
Specially Constructed Vehicle/Kit Car 17
Grey Market 6
All Inspections 1,969

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 243 107
Repair Cost Waiver 44 8
Limited Parts Exemption 5 0
Exempt Vehicle 2 7
Exempted by Directive 10 1
Hardship Extensions 0 0
Non-Compliance 0 0
All Certificates Issued 304 123

Technicians

Technician License Type Technicians Conducting Tests Total Licensed Technicians
EO (Inspect Only) 4,750 7,521
EO+EI (Inspect and Repair) 3,854 5,005
All License Types 8,604 12,526

FPR Score Distribution

License Type FPR Score < 0.10 FPR Score ≥ 0.10 and < 0.40 FPR Score ≥ 0.40 No Score Total
Stations 247 1,103 3,623 1,392 6,365
Inspectors 288 1,647 5,560 5,031 12,526

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.

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