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
November 2023

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 767,961 67,148 8.74%
All Tests 834,591 77,515 9.29%

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 80,279 193,235 70,662 171,197
Non-Directed 126,989 236,699 114,865 217,255
Total 207,268 429,934 185,527 388,452

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 166 36 8 2
Non-Directed 104,912 21,405 97,162 19,771
Total 105,078 21,441 97,170 19,773

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 273 70 25.64% 16.85% 6.96% 12.45% 5.86% NA
1977 335 59 17.61% 10.45% 4.18% 9.25% 5.67% NA
1978 439 83 18.91% 11.62% 5.24% 10.71% 6.15% NA
1979 507 103 20.32% 13.61% 6.11% 9.86% 4.73% NA
1980 279 51 18.28% 12.90% 3.23% 8.24% 4.66% NA
1981 277 55 19.86% 13.72% 3.97% 9.03% 5.42% NA
1982 300 56 18.67% 11.33% 3.67% 8.00% 4.33% NA
1983 349 69 19.77% 15.76% 6.88% 9.74% 3.44% NA
1984 662 148 22.36% 17.07% 5.74% 7.85% 4.83% NA
1985 901 193 21.42% 15.98% 6.22% 9.54% 6.22% NA
1986 1,150 242 21.04% 15.22% 5.83% 9.74% 5.04% NA
1987 1,364 294 21.55% 15.69% 5.21% 7.92% 3.67% NA
1988 1,354 291 21.49% 15.66% 4.95% 8.86% 4.95% NA
1989 1,933 327 16.92% 12.05% 3.21% 7.45% 3.67% NA
1990 2,179 441 20.24% 12.94% 3.58% 10.05% 3.21% NA
1991 2,559 492 19.23% 13.64% 4.18% 8.75% 2.97% NA
1992 2,310 452 19.57% 12.34% 2.86% 9.48% 3.51% NA
1993 3,056 630 20.62% 15.09% 4.02% 8.74% 3.34% NA
1994 3,751 729 19.43% 13.17% 3.15% 8.90% 3.36% NA
1995 5,358 1,032 19.26% 13.06% 2.28% 7.75% 3.14% NA
1996 4,530 913 20.15% 10.20% 1.46% 10.66% 3.44% 10.66%
1997 8,038 1,489 18.52% 8.65% 1.36% 10.48% 3.09% 10.48%
1998 8,687 1,542 17.75% 7.63% 1.15% 10.82% 3.05% 10.81%
1999 13,064 1,956 14.97% 5.29% 0.82% 9.69% 2.60% 9.69%
2000 210 17 8.10% 6.19% 2.38% 1.43% 1.90% 1.43%
2001 211 21 9.95% 5.21% 2.37% 3.79% 2.37% 3.79%
2002 184 10 5.43% 2.17% 0.00% 2.72% 1.63% 2.72%
2003 220 7 3.18% 1.82% 0.00% 0.91% 2.27% 0.91%
2004 204 13 6.37% 3.92% 1.47% 1.96% 0.49% 1.96%
2005 262 15 5.73% 3.05% 0.76% 1.53% 2.29% 1.53%
2006 259 22 8.49% 5.79% 1.54% 1.93% 1.93% 1.93%
2007 259 15 5.79% 4.25% 2.70% 0.39% 1.93% 0.39%
2008 199 8 4.02% 3.02% 1.51% 1.01% 0.00% 1.01%
2009 111 5 4.50% 4.50% 1.80% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90%
2010 43 1 2.33% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.33% 0.00%
2011 166 1 0.60% 0.00% 0.00% 0.60% 0.00% 0.60%
2012 203 3 1.48% 0.99% 0.00% 0.00% 0.49% 0.00%
2013 191 5 2.62% 1.57% 0.00% 0.52% 0.52% 0.52%
2014 146 3 2.05% 0.68% 0.00% 1.37% 0.00% 1.37%
2015 419 1 0.24% 0.00% 0.00% 0.24% 0.00% 0.24%
2016 102 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2017 69 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2018 48 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2019 63 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 45 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2021 80 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2022 63 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2023 553 2 0.36% 0.00% 0.00% 0.36% 0.00% 0.36%
2024 173 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 68,138 11,866 17.41% 9.73% 2.25% 9.01% 3.15% 9.21%

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 3 2 66.67% 33.33% 50.00% 33.33% 0.00% 33.33%
1997 3 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
1998 139 16 11.51% 9.35% 2.88% 8.76% 8.03% 0.66%
1999 555 78 14.05% 12.43% 2.34% 12.14% 8.88% 0.32%
2000 15,722 2,593 16.49% 14.54% 3.43% 14.38% 10.54% 0.39%
2001 22,952 3,492 15.21% 13.43% 3.07% 13.16% 9.64% 0.43%
2002 20,786 2,948 14.18% 12.35% 3.05% 12.09% 8.34% 0.47%
2003 30,756 4,002 13.01% 11.21% 2.92% 10.97% 7.56% 0.40%
2004 27,090 3,211 11.85% 10.35% 2.46% 10.10% 6.89% 0.39%
2005 37,473 4,115 10.98% 9.52% 2.24% 9.35% 6.38% 0.27%
2006 32,793 3,420 10.43% 9.03% 2.22% 8.80% 5.81% 0.31%
2007 46,061 3,877 8.42% 7.24% 1.71% 7.11% 4.68% 0.22%
2008 30,632 2,485 8.11% 7.17% 1.46% 6.99% 4.79% 0.25%
2009 26,698 1,981 7.42% 6.66% 1.12% 6.56% 4.65% 0.14%
2010 25,247 1,987 7.87% 7.30% 0.91% 7.22% 3.37% 0.11%
2011 42,400 2,945 6.95% 6.41% 0.80% 6.36% 2.90% 0.09%
2012 30,849 2,296 7.44% 6.78% 0.99% 6.74% 3.15% 0.07%
2013 69,464 4,046 5.82% 5.24% 0.77% 5.18% 2.44% 0.07%
2014 33,965 1,872 5.51% 4.96% 0.69% 4.93% 2.38% 0.05%
2015 97,013 4,845 4.99% 4.46% 0.67% 4.43% 2.08% 0.04%
2016 29,074 1,184 4.07% 3.77% 0.41% 3.74% 2.07% 0.03%
2017 15,103 838 5.55% 5.34% 0.35% 5.32% 3.15% 0.03%
2018 13,914 650 4.67% 4.36% 0.37% 4.35% 2.79% 0.01%
2019 15,322 788 5.14% 4.92% 0.30% 4.91% 3.67% 0.01%
2020 11,827 565 4.78% 4.68% 0.15% 4.67% 3.49% 0.02%
2021 11,093 403 3.63% 3.51% 0.15% 3.50% 2.67% 0.01%
2022 8,023 327 4.08% 3.90% 0.20% 3.89% 3.05% 0.01%
2023 4,228 243 5.75% 5.70% 0.05% 5.70% 5.02% 0.00%
2024 633 71 11.22% 11.22% 0.00% 11.22% 9.79% 0.00%
Other 5 2 40.00% 25.00% 40.00% 25.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 699,823 55,282 7.90% 7.04% 1.31% 6.93% 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 6,628 9.73%
All Visual 9,185 1.31% 2,143 3.15%
All Functional 49,243 7.04% 6,141 9.01%
OBDII 48,531 6.93% 3,572 9.21%
Overall 55,282 7.90% 11,866 17.41%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 604,029 47,610 7.88% 56,543 10,028 17.74%
Partial 33,929 2,822 8.32% 3,413 689 20.19%
Basic 57,155 4,467 7.82% 7,708 1,041 13.51%
Change of Ownership 4,710 383 8.13% 474 108 22.78%
All Program Areas 699,823 55,282 7.90% 68,138 11,866 17.41%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test-Only 388,554 32,220 8.29% 41,380 6,959 16.82%
Non-STAR Test-Only 20,069 1,325 6.60% 1,372 167 12.17%
STAR Test-and-Repair 187,558 15,565 8.30% 19,710 3,978 20.18%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 99,631 5,907 5.93% 5,447 706 12.96%
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 1,725 67 3.88% 20 2 10.00%
Business Fleet 247 5 2.02% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 16 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 192 105 54.69% 67 37 55.22%
Government Fleet 1,831 88 4.81% 142 17 11.97%
All Stations 699,823 55,282 7.90% 68,138 11,866 17.41%

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 692,946 90.23% 75,015 9.77%
All Tests 748,636 89.70% 85,955 10.30%

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 388,452 90.35% 41,482 9.65%
Non-STAR Test-Only 19,773 92.22% 1,668 7.78%
STAR Test-and-Repair 185,527 89.51% 21,741 10.49%
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 97,170 92.47% 7,908 7.53%
Total 690,922 90.47% 72,799 9.53%

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 19,710 $70.93 187,558 $60.41 207,268 $65.67
STAR Test-Only 41,380 $60.19 388,554 $54.92 429,934 $57.56
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 5,447 $65.30 99,631 $70.57 105,078 $67.93
Non-STAR Test-Only 1,372 $56.11 20,069 $49.82 21,441 $52.97
Total 67,909 $65.21 695,812 $61.61 763,721 $63.41

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.

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 $0.00 255 $61.77 19,710 $70.96 187,303 $60.40
STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 445 $54.60 41,380 $60.21 388,109 $54.92
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 0 $0.00 36,012 $74.16 5,447 $65.30 63,619 $68.05
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 $0.00 6,276 $51.41 1,372 $55.49 13,793 $48.44
Total 0 $0.00 42,988 $71.18 67,909 $65.21 652,824 $59.85

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) $1-100 445 $56.47 2,916 $677.51
$101-250 617 $173.92
$251-500 566 $370.74
$501-650 263 $575.17
Over $650 1025 $1,445.91
Non-STAR Repairs (Test-and-Repair) $1-100 98 $49.57 642 $730.66
$101-250 177 $181.62
$251-500 151 $366.32
$501-650 39 $582.10
Over $650 177 $2,000.36
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 $0.00 348 $1,280.93
$101-250 27 $215.46
$251-500 35 $398.43
$501-650 19 $573.25
Over $650 267 $1,554.72
Total Repairs $1-100 543 $55.23 3,906 $740.00
$101-250 821 $176.94
$251-500 752 $371.14
$501-650 321 $575.90
Over $650 1469 $1,532.49

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 106 37 1,697 77 1,917
STAR Test-Only 22 2 1,694 35 1,753
STAR Sub-Total 128 39 3,391 112 3,670
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 450 51 1,801 197 2,499
Non-STAR Test-Only 35 8 298 36 377
Non-STAR Sub-Total 485 59 2,099 233 2,876
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 30 0 35
Government Fleet 44 5 298 13 360
Repair Only 1 0 33 1 35
Other Station Sub-Total 99 5 376 15 495
All Stations 712 103 5,866 360 7,041

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test-and-Repair 1 267 1,566
STAR Test-Only 3 138 1,547
STAR Sub-Total 4 405 3,113
Non-STAR Test-and-Repair 1 1,565 284
Non-STAR Test-Only 0 151 75
Non-STAR Sub-Total 1 1,716 359
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 5 0
Business Fleet 0 2 0
Test-and-Repair/Dealer 0 40 4
Government Fleet 4 129 16
Referee 1 5 27
Other Station Sub-Total 5 181 47
All Stations 10 2,302 3,519

Referee Inspections

Inspection Type Total Completed
Law Enforcement Citations 481
Smog Inspection/Repair Disputes 529
CAT BAR Label 193
BAR Referrals 192
Repair Cost Waiver + Parts Locator Service 144
Engine Change/Replacement 86
Clean Gas 73
Grey Market 15
Specially Constructed Vehicle/Kit Car 25
OBD Monitor Issues 4
All Inspections 1,742

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 203 79
Certificate of Non Compliance 0 0
Repair Cost Waiver 43 7
Limited Parts Exemption 7 0
Exempt Vehicle 3 6
Exempted by Directive 13 1
All Certificates Issued 269 93

Technicians

License Type Licenses
EO (Inspect Only) 4,511
EO + EI (Inspect and Repair) 3,993
GU (Government) 199
All License Types 8,703

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