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  1. Home

Smog Check Executive Summary Report
2020

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 Test 10,277,507 1,037,041 10.09%
All Tests 11,260,865 1,189,707 10.56%

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 1,242,018 2,588,956 1,077,488 2,244,607
Non-Directed 1,740,951 2,869,767 1,571,904 2,609,468
Total 2,982,969 5,458,723 2,649,392 4,854,075

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 5,224 1,094 2,253 481
Non-Directed 1,501,216 232,121 1,389,125 212,056
Total 1,506,440 233,215 1,391,378 212,537

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 5,036 1,234 24.50% 17.32% 6.99% 10.76% 5.46% NA
1977 6,734 1,537 22.82% 14.79% 6.27% 11.46% 5.30% NA
1978 7,594 1,812 23.86% 15.70% 6.73% 11.60% 5.69% NA
1979 8,553 2,088 24.41% 17.19% 6.43% 11.28% 5.78% NA
1980 4,671 1,053 22.54% 15.33% 7.54% 10.62% 5.46% NA
1981 5,289 1,350 25.52% 19.10% 7.54% 11.02% 5.86% NA
1982 5,725 1,386 24.21% 17.52% 6.69% 10.27% 5.76% NA
1983 6,982 1,695 24.28% 17.80% 7.28% 10.93% 5.90% NA
1984 12,148 3,067 25.25% 19.16% 7.74% 10.59% 5.68% NA
1985 16,555 4,008 24.21% 17.75% 6.48% 10.25% 5.19% NA
1986 21,968 5,156 23.47% 16.53% 5.88% 10.73% 4.89% NA
1987 24,914 5,971 23.97% 17.39% 6.11% 10.35% 4.45% NA
1988 28,243 6,488 22.97% 16.24% 5.27% 10.07% 3.98% NA
1989 39,468 8,723 22.10% 15.16% 4.60% 10.06% 4.07% NA
1990 45,093 9,734 21.59% 14.33% 4.04% 10.07% 3.77% NA
1991 53,188 11,230 21.11% 13.99% 3.78% 9.79% 3.55% NA
1992 51,779 11,039 21.32% 14.38% 3.70% 9.52% 3.66% NA
1993 63,488 14,780 23.28% 16.09% 3.62% 10.09% 3.69% NA
1994 85,698 19,063 22.24% 14.85% 3.03% 9.90% 3.70% NA
1995 97,043 21,703 22.36% 15.06% 2.88% 9.52% 3.75% NA
1996 123,698 24,377 19.71% 9.23% 1.31% 11.32% 3.33% 11.30%
1997 151,753 31,684 20.88% 9.34% 1.49% 12.73% 3.49% 12.72%
1998 229,331 40,816 17.80% 6.85% 1.23% 11.53% 2.94% 11.52%
1999 239,994 40,140 16.73% 5.32% 0.98% 11.69% 2.95% 11.68%
2000 5,127 885 17.26% 9.11% 4.10% 9.65% 3.22% 9.65%
2001 3,220 576 17.89% 7.14% 2.30% 13.23% 2.64% 13.20%
2002 4,369 638 14.60% 5.79% 2.22% 10.03% 2.13% 10.03%
2003 3,830 575 15.01% 5.90% 2.14% 10.94% 2.19% 10.94%
2004 5,355 558 10.42% 3.81% 1.29% 7.36% 1.34% 7.36%
2005 3,639 500 13.74% 5.25% 1.81% 10.44% 1.43% 10.44%
2006 5,709 472 8.27% 3.24% 1.00% 5.45% 1.37% 5.45%
2007 3,264 375 11.49% 4.35% 1.41% 7.87% 1.26% 7.87%
2008 3,969 261 6.58% 2.47% 1.08% 4.38% 0.58% 4.38%
2009 1,049 119 11.34% 2.76% 1.24% 9.63% 0.76% 9.63%
2010 1,190 115 9.66% 1.76% 0.59% 8.74% 0.92% 8.74%
2011 1,572 84 5.34% 1.27% 0.83% 4.77% 0.32% 4.77%
2012 3,441 138 4.01% 0.76% 0.35% 3.49% 0.26% 3.46%
2013 688 46 6.69% 1.02% 0.44% 5.81% 1.16% 5.81%
2014 720 43 5.97% 1.53% 0.69% 5.00% 0.69% 5.00%
2015 657 18 2.74% 0.91% 0.46% 1.83% 0.46% 1.83%
2016 622 16 2.57% 0.32% 0.16% 1.77% 0.80% 1.77%
2017 591 10 1.69% 0.51% 0.34% 1.02% 0.68% 1.02%
2018 676 6 0.89% 0.00% 0.00% 0.30% 0.59% 0.30%
2019 1,248 5 0.40% 0.08% 0.00% 0.32% 0.16% 0.32%
2020 2,826 16 0.57% 0.28% 0.18% 0.28% 0.07% 0.28%
Other 13 5 38.46% 30.77% 0.00% 7.69% 7.69% 0.00%
All Model Years 1,388,720 275,595 19.85% 10.62% 2.51% 10.85% 3.45% 6.59%

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 35 11 31.43% 25.71% 5.71% 25.71% 11.43% 0.00%
1997 88 29 32.95% 27.27% 5.68% 26.14% 12.50% 1.14%
1998 2,410 332 13.78% 12.41% 2.70% 11.20% 5.27% 1.20%
1999 9,286 1,259 13.56% 12.04% 2.36% 11.54% 7.69% 0.50%
2000 424,440 69,773 16.44% 14.78% 2.91% 14.52% 10.51% 0.25%
2001 346,576 58,472 16.87% 15.15% 3.07% 14.88% 10.39% 0.27%
2002 560,803 73,689 13.14% 11.63% 2.38% 11.40% 7.91% 0.23%
2003 427,358 57,041 13.35% 11.77% 2.53% 11.51% 7.81% 0.26%
2004 722,637 76,200 10.54% 9.31% 1.81% 9.13% 6.35% 0.18%
2005 490,868 53,567 10.91% 9.60% 1.93% 9.41% 6.49% 0.20%
2006 840,420 72,618 8.64% 7.61% 1.41% 7.48% 5.20% 0.13%
2007 537,663 42,995 8.00% 7.02% 1.32% 6.90% 4.67% 0.12%
2008 759,470 49,088 6.46% 5.77% 0.91% 5.66% 4.02% 0.10%
2009 288,570 19,021 6.59% 5.96% 0.85% 5.86% 4.23% 0.10%
2010 690,262 39,017 5.65% 5.28% 0.49% 5.22% 2.71% 0.06%
2011 339,153 24,311 7.17% 6.72% 0.60% 6.66% 3.04% 0.06%
2012 1,068,162 58,749 5.50% 5.15% 0.45% 5.11% 2.68% 0.04%
2013 241,473 13,402 5.55% 5.22% 0.43% 5.18% 2.58% 0.04%
2014 188,733 10,571 5.60% 5.27% 0.41% 5.25% 2.72% 0.03%
2015 207,341 10,578 5.10% 4.82% 0.33% 4.80% 2.60% 0.03%
2016 253,608 10,591 4.18% 3.95% 0.25% 3.93% 2.58% 0.02%
2017 187,168 8,028 4.29% 4.12% 0.18% 4.10% 3.11% 0.02%
2018 133,407 4,955 3.71% 3.55% 0.18% 3.53% 2.84% 0.03%
2019 128,654 4,799 3.73% 3.61% 0.12% 3.59% 3.01% 0.02%
2020 38,199 2,140 5.60% 5.51% 0.11% 5.49% 4.86% 0.02%
2021 1,929 172 8.92% 8.86% 0.05% 8.81% 7.41% 0.05%
Other 75 39 52.00% 24.00% 13.33% 24.00% 14.67% 0.00%
All Model Years 8,888,788 761,447 8.57% 7.71% 1.27% 7.59% 5.01% 0.12%

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 147,425 10.62%
All Visual 112,536 1.27% 47,969 3.45%
All Functional 685,479 7.71% 150,742 10.85%
OBDII 674,572 7.59% 91,540 6.59%
Overall 761,447 8.57% 275,595 19.85%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 7,659,592 664,062 8.67% 1,088,171 220,569 20.27%
Partial 435,954 35,694 8.19% 86,988 19,419 22.32%
Basic 723,411 56,228 7.77% 157,764 23,128 14.66%
Change of Ownership 69,831 5,463 7.82% 11,549 2,859 24.76%
No Program 0 0 0.00% 16 5 31.25%
Unknown 0 0 0.00% 44,232 9,615 21.74%
All Program Areas 8,888,788 761,447 8.57% 1,388,720 275,595 19.85%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 4,641,713 429,644 9.26% 817,010 159,266 19.49%
STAR Test-Only (Suspended) 18,128 1,407 7.76% 1,659 292 17.60%
Non-STAR Test-Only 208,477 15,464 7.42% 24,738 3,792 15.33%
STAR Test-and-Repair 2,563,176 223,512 8.72% 419,793 92,129 21.95%
STAR Test-and-Repair (Suspended) 7,283 638 8.76% 541 116 21.44%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 1,393,700 85,338 6.12% 112,740 16,823 14.92%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 29,045 1,500 5.16% 148 25 16.89%
Business Fleet 4,233 250 5.91% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 640 20 3.12% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 3,606 2,558 70.94% 1,964 1,214 61.81%
Government Fleet 18,787 1,116 5.94% 10,127 1,938 19.14%
All Stations 8,888,788 761,447 8.57% 1,388,720 275,595 19.85%

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 Test 9,165,996 89.19% 1,111,511 10.81%
All Tests 9,987,790 88.69% 1,273,075 11.31%

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-Only 4,854,075 88.92% 604,648 11.08%
Non-STAR Test-Only 212,537 91.13% 20,678 8.87%
STAR Test-and-Repair 2,649,392 88.82% 333,577 11.18%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 1,391,378 92.36% 115,062 7.64%
All Stations 9,107,382 89.45% 1,073,965 10.55%

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 419,039 $56.56 2,562,850 $64.20 2,981,889 $63.13
STAR Test-Only 814,616 $50.47 4,641,485 $61.12 5,456,101 $59.53
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 112,537 $54.75 1,393,530 $73.26 1,506,067 $71.88
Non-STAR Test-Only 24,582 $44.18 208,362 $61.74 232,944 $59.89
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 149 $67.44 29,045 $72.19 29,194 $72.17
Total 1,370,923 $52.57 8,835,272 $63.98 10,206,195 $62.45

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 3 $58.42 41,029 $72.72 419,036 $56.56 2,521,821 $64.06
STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 41,339 $109.44 814,616 $50.47 4,600,146 $60.69
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 837,271 $75.49 112,537 $54.75 556,259 $69.90
Non-STAR Test-Only 25 $31.75 73,941 $47.18 24,557 $44.19 134,421 $69.75
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 0 $0.00 26,462 $71.73 149 $67.44 2,583 $76.86
Total 28 $34.61 1,020,042 $74.61 1,370,895 $52.58 7,815,230 $62.59

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 11117 $50.96 52,635 $466.31
$101-250 11813 $171.70
$251-500 12825 $365.27
$501-650 4810 $575.46
Over $650 12070 $1,200.99
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $1-100 3396 $50.14 13,836 $451.84
$101-250 3705 $170.56
$251-500 3047 $364.17
$501-650 992 $572.65
Over $650 2696 $1,399.02
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 3 $65.36 1,808 $840.37
$101-250 57 $199.10
$251-500 364 $393.69
$501-650 307 $583.68
Over $650 1077 $1,100.60
Total Repairs $1-100 14516 $50.77 68,279 $473.29
$101-250 15575 $171.53
$251-500 16236 $365.70
$501-650 6109 $575.41
Over $650 15843 $1,227.94

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 108 48 1,962 78 2,196
STAR Test-Only 19 2 1,859 36 1,916
STAR Sub-Total 127 50 3,821 114 4,112
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 543 48 2,350 268 3,209
Non-STAR Test-Only 34 7 440 36 517
Non-STAR Sub-Total 577 55 2,790 304 3,726
Basic Area Dealer 61 0 0 0 61
Business Fleet 0 0 4 0 4
Permanent Fleet Registered 3 2 48 4 57
Referee 5 0 31 0 36
Government Fleet 41 5 302 13 361
Repair-Only 2 0 49 1 52
Unknown Type 1 1 11 1 14
Other Station Sub-Total 113 8 445 19 585
All Stations 817 113 7,056 437 8,423

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 1 99 2,073
STAR Test-Only 0 37 1,854
STAR Sub-Total 1 136 3,927
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 1 1,998 473
Non-STAR Test-Only 1 131 116
Non-STAR Sub-Total 2 2,129 589
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 37 0
Business Fleet 0 3 0
Basic Area Dealer 0 51 6
Unknown Type 0 1 9
Government Fleet 1 177 54
Referee 0 1 34
Other Station Sub-Total 1 270 103
All Stations 4 2,535 4,619

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 2,529 1,583
Certificate of Non Compliance 0 0
Parts Cost 263 45
Hardship Extensions 0 0
Exempt Vehicle 3 145
Exempted by Directive 53 3
Parts Exemption 44 5
Unknown Outcome 0 0
Permanently Exempt Vehicle 0 0
Temporarily Exempt Vehicle 0 0
All Certificates Issued 2,892 1,781

Technicians

License Type Licenses
EO (Inspect Only) 5,087
EO + EI (Inspect and Repair) 5,700
All License Types 10,787

Smog Check Requirements by Vehicle Type

Fuel Type Model-Year GVWR1 OBD II Equipped? Smog Check Required
All2 Four model-years and newer3 All All None
Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth model-years4 All All None
1975 and earlier All All None
Gasoline and Flex Fuel
(Methanol or Ethanol)
1976-1999 All All BAR-97
2000 and newer 14,000 and less Yes5 OIS
No BAR-97
Over 14,000 All BAR-97
Hybrid 2000 and newer 14,000 and less All OIS
Dedicated Propane and Natural Gas
(CNG, LNG, or LPG)
1976-1999 14,000 and less All BAR-97
Over 14,000 All None
2000 and newer 14,000 and less Yes OIS
No BAR-97
Over 14,000 All None
Diesel 1976-1997 All All None
1998 and newer 14,000 and less All OIS
Over 14,000 All None6
Full Electric Powered All All All None
Motorcycle All All All None
Other Vehicles: Two Cylinder Engine,
Two-stroke Engine,
Off-highway Registered
All 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 2010 model-year vehicle will be first subject a change-of-ownership Smog Check in 2014 (2010+4=2014).
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 2010 model-year vehicle will be first subject to a biennial Smog Check in 2018 (2010+8=2018).
5 In the future, BAR may identify 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 Fleet vehicles are subject to the ARB Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP).

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