Skip to Main Content
BAR Headquarters and the Sacramento Field Office are temporarily closed until further notice for building maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.
CA.govCA.gov Logo image
Home Facebook Twitter YouTube
 Contact Us  Translate  Accessibility
Bureau of Automotive Repair Logo
  • Consumers
    • Consumer Information
    • Consumer Assistance Program
    • Smog Check Program
    • Collision Repair Inspection Request
    • Auto Repair Basics
    • Auto Shop Locator
    • License Search
    • File a Complaint
  • Licensees
    • News and Updates
    • Automotive Repair Businesses
    • Inspectors/Technicians
    • Training
    • Convictions/Discipline/Denial
    • Smog Check Program
    • STAR Program
    • CAP Repairs
  • 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
    • Quarterly Licensing Data
    • Resources and Forms
    • Records Requests
    • News Releases
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Online Services
    • Locate an Auto Shop
    • Find a Smog Check Station
    • Check a License
    • File a Complaint
    • Check CAP Application Status
    • Submit CAP Documents
    • Search Enforcement Actions
    • Check STAR Report Card
    • Renew a License
    • View All
Custom Google Search
  1. Home

Smog Check Executive Summary Report
September 2021

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 858,025 80,051 9.33%
All Tests 935,866 92,352 9.87%

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 99,830 219,918 88,004 193,966
Non-Directed 142,732 247,827 129,066 226,222
Total 242,562 467,745 217,070 420,188

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 276 44 90 23
Non-Directed 121,966 19,043 113,369 17,587
Total 122,242 19,087 113,459 17,610

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 368 84 22.83% 16.85% 6.52% 8.97% 4.62% NA
1977 546 120 21.98% 15.57% 7.33% 10.26% 6.59% NA
1978 551 135 24.50% 16.88% 6.72% 12.89% 6.17% NA
1979 645 143 22.17% 14.26% 5.43% 10.08% 5.89% NA
1980 340 73 21.47% 15.29% 7.94% 10.59% 4.71% NA
1981 398 94 23.62% 17.84% 8.29% 9.05% 4.52% NA
1982 455 90 19.78% 13.63% 4.62% 7.91% 3.96% NA
1983 601 152 25.29% 18.97% 7.49% 10.32% 6.16% NA
1984 897 205 22.85% 18.39% 7.36% 8.58% 4.46% NA
1985 1,265 280 22.13% 16.84% 6.32% 8.46% 4.90% NA
1986 1,806 397 21.98% 16.83% 5.98% 9.47% 4.10% NA
1987 1,909 444 23.26% 17.23% 6.18% 9.38% 4.09% NA
1988 2,190 488 22.28% 15.48% 5.30% 9.59% 4.52% NA
1989 3,108 667 21.46% 14.83% 4.54% 9.72% 4.02% NA
1990 3,255 650 19.97% 13.21% 4.06% 8.73% 3.47% NA
1991 4,035 771 19.11% 13.68% 3.79% 7.68% 3.59% NA
1992 3,720 783 21.05% 14.03% 3.58% 9.62% 3.68% NA
1993 4,902 1,043 21.28% 14.85% 3.35% 9.12% 3.59% NA
1994 5,737 1,191 20.76% 14.35% 2.79% 8.77% 3.57% NA
1995 8,695 1,720 19.78% 13.69% 2.53% 7.81% 3.17% NA
1996 6,965 1,331 19.11% 9.42% 1.29% 10.54% 3.27% 10.51%
1997 12,786 2,402 18.79% 8.25% 1.17% 11.10% 3.08% 11.10%
1998 13,400 2,330 17.39% 6.99% 1.19% 10.84% 3.01% 10.82%
1999 20,573 3,078 14.96% 4.95% 0.85% 9.93% 2.59% 9.91%
2000 304 57 18.75% 8.22% 4.28% 8.55% 3.95% 8.55%
2001 307 47 15.31% 6.51% 0.98% 10.42% 2.61% 10.42%
2002 271 40 14.76% 6.27% 3.32% 10.33% 4.43% 10.33%
2003 405 58 14.32% 5.93% 2.96% 10.37% 2.96% 10.37%
2004 331 46 13.90% 5.14% 1.81% 11.18% 4.83% 11.18%
2005 350 50 14.29% 5.71% 2.29% 9.43% 2.57% 9.43%
2006 329 40 12.16% 5.17% 2.43% 8.21% 3.65% 8.21%
2007 347 46 13.26% 3.17% 1.15% 8.65% 3.17% 8.65%
2008 216 22 10.19% 2.78% 2.31% 8.33% 0.93% 8.33%
2009 119 13 10.92% 0.84% 0.00% 10.08% 0.00% 10.08%
2010 85 10 11.76% 3.53% 0.00% 9.41% 0.00% 9.41%
2011 260 12 4.62% 0.00% 0.00% 4.23% 0.38% 4.23%
2012 131 11 8.40% 1.53% 0.76% 6.11% 1.53% 6.11%
2013 359 14 3.90% 1.39% 0.56% 3.06% 0.28% 3.06%
2014 62 3 4.84% 0.00% 0.00% 4.84% 0.00% 4.84%
2015 55 3 5.45% 1.82% 0.00% 5.45% 0.00% 5.45%
2016 68 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2017 81 1 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 1.23% 1.23% 1.23%
2018 49 1 2.04% 0.00% 0.00% 2.04% 0.00% 2.04%
2019 89 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 139 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2021 128 1 0.78% 0.00% 0.00% 0.78% 0.00% 0.78%
2022 8 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 103,641 19,146 18.47% 10.15% 2.41% 9.65% 3.28% 5.76%

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 6 2 33.33% 33.33% 16.67% 33.33% 33.33% 0.00%
1997 7 3 42.86% 14.29% 0.00% 14.29% 14.29% 0.00%
1998 150 16 10.67% 7.33% 2.67% 6.00% 4.00% 1.33%
1999 699 93 13.30% 10.44% 3.43% 10.01% 6.58% 0.43%
2000 21,897 3,625 16.55% 14.80% 3.37% 14.54% 10.39% 0.26%
2001 37,660 5,498 14.60% 13.05% 2.59% 12.79% 9.19% 0.26%
2002 26,986 3,942 14.61% 12.65% 3.13% 12.37% 8.55% 0.28%
2003 51,124 5,827 11.40% 9.77% 2.28% 9.55% 6.48% 0.23%
2004 34,673 4,193 12.09% 10.35% 2.36% 10.09% 7.03% 0.25%
2005 57,260 5,673 9.91% 8.45% 1.83% 8.27% 5.70% 0.19%
2006 39,499 3,948 10.00% 8.54% 1.89% 8.40% 5.68% 0.13%
2007 70,681 5,262 7.44% 6.26% 1.39% 6.14% 4.15% 0.12%
2008 33,825 2,614 7.73% 6.76% 1.22% 6.65% 4.63% 0.11%
2009 42,319 2,555 6.04% 5.41% 0.79% 5.29% 3.80% 0.12%
2010 25,857 1,872 7.24% 6.69% 0.79% 6.63% 3.22% 0.07%
2011 60,821 3,480 5.72% 5.27% 0.54% 5.22% 2.59% 0.05%
2012 24,105 1,872 7.77% 7.28% 0.65% 7.24% 3.42% 0.04%
2013 109,836 5,192 4.73% 4.33% 0.50% 4.29% 2.11% 0.04%
2014 17,391 961 5.53% 5.10% 0.51% 5.08% 2.42% 0.02%
2015 21,009 1,042 4.96% 4.57% 0.37% 4.55% 2.34% 0.02%
2016 19,661 832 4.23% 3.95% 0.27% 3.92% 2.38% 0.03%
2017 22,163 894 4.03% 3.83% 0.22% 3.82% 2.59% 0.01%
2018 13,991 533 3.81% 3.54% 0.26% 3.52% 2.72% 0.01%
2019 11,522 468 4.06% 3.91% 0.17% 3.88% 3.03% 0.03%
2020 6,731 256 3.80% 3.68% 0.13% 3.65% 3.00% 0.03%
2021 4,220 226 5.36% 5.19% 0.19% 5.19% 4.86% 0.00%
2022 286 24 8.39% 7.69% 0.70% 7.69% 7.69% 0.00%
Other 5 2 40.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 754,384 60,905 8.07% 7.13% 1.28% 7.02% 4.52% 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 10,522 10.15%
All Visual 9,682 1.28% 3,400 3.28%
All Functional 53,814 7.13% 10,001 9.65%
OBDII 52,921 7.02% 5,971 5.76%
Overall 60,905 8.07% 19,146 18.47%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 651,157 53,022 8.14% 79,661 15,013 18.85%
Partial 36,077 2,781 7.71% 6,179 1,342 21.72%
Basic 61,202 4,619 7.55% 13,179 1,798 13.64%
Change of Ownership 5,948 483 8.12% 1,062 245 23.07%
No Program 0 0 0.00% 1 1 100.00%
Unknown 0 0 0.00% 3,559 747 20.99%
All Program Areas 754,384 60,905 8.07% 103,641 19,146 18.47%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 407,163 35,167 8.64% 60,582 10,976 18.12%
STAR Test-Only (Suspended) 498 46 9.24% 40 4 10.00%
Non-STAR Test-Only 17,038 1,135 6.66% 2,049 228 11.13%
STAR Test-and-Repair 211,175 17,221 8.15% 31,387 6,565 20.92%
STAR Test-and-Repair (Suspended) 524 31 5.92% 85 13 15.29%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 113,342 6,461 5.70% 8,900 1,223 13.74%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 2,268 92 4.06% 17 2 11.76%
Business Fleet 318 21 6.60% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 119 5 4.20% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 788 646 81.98% 73 37 50.68%
Government Fleet 1,151 80 6.95% 508 98 19.29%
All Stations 754,384 60,905 8.07% 103,641 19,146 18.47%

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 772,136 89.99% 85,889 10.01%
All Tests 836,989 89.43% 98,877 10.57%

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 420,188 89.83% 47,557 10.17%
Non-STAR Test-Only 17,610 92.26% 1,477 7.74%
STAR Test-and-Repair 217,070 89.49% 25,492 10.51%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 113,459 92.82% 8,783 7.18%
All Stations 768,327 90.22% 83,309 9.78%

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 31,364 $59.60 210,365 $51.18 241,729 $52.27
STAR Test-Only 60,399 $52.94 405,150 $51.34 465,549 $51.54
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 8,893 $58.92 112,470 $57.33 121,363 $57.45
Non-STAR Test-Only 2,040 $47.59 16,933 $44.46 18,973 $44.79
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 17 $74.09 2,239 $63.87 2,256 $63.95
Total 102,713 $55.39 747,157 $52.08 849,870 $52.48

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 9,624 $53.77 31,364 $59.60 200,741 $51.06
STAR Test-Only 307 $44.66 11,331 $46.27 60,092 $52.99 393,819 $51.48
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 70,929 $62.96 8,893 $58.92 41,541 $47.71
Non-STAR Test-Only 7 $25.33 6,505 $44.30 2,033 $47.66 10,428 $44.56
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 0 $0.00 2,054 $63.28 17 $74.09 185 $70.45
Total 314 $44.23 100,443 $59.00 102,399 $55.42 646,714 $51.00

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) $1-100 317 $55.44 1,929 $577.45
$101-250 408 $173.35
$251-500 455 $367.10
$501-650 176 $581.14
Over $650 573 $1,319.88
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $1-100 118 $61.87 682 $625.43
$101-250 168 $174.67
$251-500 147 $369.71
$501-650 64 $570.38
Over $650 185 $1,616.47
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 $0.00 300 $1,147.07
$101-250 17 $190.02
$251-500 44 $373.13
$501-650 28 $575.56
Over $650 211 $1,461.41
Total Repairs $1-100 435 $57.18 2,911 $647.40
$101-250 593 $174.20
$251-500 646 $368.11
$501-650 268 $577.99
Over $650 969 $1,407.32

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 104 45 1,848 77 2,074
STAR Test-Only 21 1 1,738 34 1,794
STAR Sub-Total 125 46 3,586 111 3,868
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 466 49 1,988 222 2,725
Non-STAR Test-Only 25 7 219 31 282
Non-STAR Sub-Total 491 56 2,207 253 3,007
Basic Area Dealer 55 0 0 0 55
Business Fleet 0 0 3 0 3
Permanent Fleet Registered 3 2 48 4 57
Referee 5 0 29 0 34
Government Fleet 43 5 296 13 357
Repair Only 2 0 39 1 42
Unknown Type 1 1 7 0 9
Other Station Sub-Total 109 8 422 18 557
All Stations 725 110 6,215 382 7,432

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 0 218 1,774
STAR Test-Only 4 81 1,639
STAR Sub-Total 4 299 3,413
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 1,686 367
Non-STAR Test-Only 3 91 68
Non-STAR Sub-Total 3 1,777 435
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 27 0
Business Fleet 0 2 0
Basic Area Dealer 0 47 5
Unknown Type 0 0 9
Government Fleet 9 139 29
Referee 0 1 25
Other Station Sub-Total 9 216 68
All Stations 16 2,292 3,916

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 268 62
Certificate of Non Compliance 0 0
Parts Cost 26 8
Hardship Extensions 0 0
Exempt Vehicle 8 15
Exempted by Directive 2 0
Parts Exemption 8 0
Unknown Outcome 0 0
Permanently Exempt Vehicle 0 0
Temporarily Exempt Vehicle 0 0
All Certificates Issued 312 85

Technicians

License Type Licenses
EO (Inspect Only) 4,184
EO + EI (Inspect and Repair) 4,656
All License Types 8,840

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).

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