Bureau of Automotive Repair Initiates Disciplinary Action Against Nine Smog Check Stations Engaged in Fraud
Smog Check stations caught using "clean gassing" to issue fraudulent certificates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2020
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has filed, for prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office, accusations against nine Smog Check stations because investigations showed them to be issuing fraudulent certificates.
Through analysis of Smog Check Program data, BAR investigators detected the Smog Check stations to be engaged in the practice of "clean gassing."
"Clean gassing" is the act of introducing a surrogate gas into a test vehicle’s exhaust emissions sample to fool the inspection system into passing that vehicle. This fraudulent activity undermines the integrity of the Smog Check Program and threatens the air quality for all Californians.
The accusations allege numerous violations of the Automotive Repair Act, including fraud, false and misleading statements, and violations of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Program.
License information and links to the accusations for each station are available in the following table.
| Station/Business Name | License Number | City |
|---|---|---|
| El Nene Test Only | 280412 | Fontana |
| El Toro Test Only | 280500 | Mira Loma |
| Hermanos Test Only | 267653 | Highland |
| Los Paisanos Test Only | 276883 | Riverside |
| Mario Test Only | 273983 | Ontario |
| One Stop Test Only | 266963 | Rialto |
| Pro Stop Test Only | 265779 | San Bernardino |
| Riverview Smog Check | 288861 | Riverside |
| Sierra Madre Test Only | 285983 | Bloomington |
To view additional license and/or public record information, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ License Search page at www.dca.ca.gov.
CONTACT:
Veronica Harms
(916) 547-8170
ABOUT THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR: The California Bureau of Automotive Repair’s primary mission is to protect and serve California consumers through effective regulation of the automotive repair and Smog Check industry. Consumers can file automotive repair complaints by contacting the Bureau at (800) 952–5210. Consumers may also file a complaint online at www.bar.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The Department of Consumer Affairs promotes and protects the interests of California consumers while ensuring a competent and fair marketplace. The Department helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. The Department also protects licensees from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners. Consumers can file complaints against licensees by contacting the Department at (800) 952-5210. Consumers can also file a complaint online at www.dca.ca.gov.