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  1. Home

Smog Check Executive Summary Report
September 2026

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 901,581 74,211 8.23%
All Tests 973,977 85,054 8.73%

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 85,573 212,938 75,687 189,430
Non-Directed 152,900 297,847 139,701 276,324
Total 238,473 510,785 215,388 465,754

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 0 0 0 0
Non-Directed 111,187 36,431 104,116 34,055
Total 111,187 36,431 104,116 34,055

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 275 60 21.82% 13.82% 7.64% 11.27% 7.27% NA
1977 364 81 22.25% 16.76% 5.22% 8.24% 6.32% NA
1978 409 79 19.32% 14.43% 4.89% 6.60% 5.38% NA
1979 436 86 19.72% 14.68% 6.19% 8.28% 4.82% NA
1980 224 44 19.64% 14.29% 7.14% 6.70% 3.57% NA
1981 239 51 21.34% 14.23% 5.86% 9.21% 4.60% NA
1982 283 59 20.85% 14.84% 7.42% 8.48% 4.95% NA
1983 332 76 22.89% 18.07% 7.53% 9.04% 4.52% NA
1984 567 124 21.87% 17.81% 6.17% 8.29% 5.47% NA
1985 743 164 22.07% 16.42% 4.85% 7.54% 3.77% NA
1986 1,124 218 19.40% 13.97% 3.29% 8.54% 4.18% NA
1987 1,205 270 22.41% 17.18% 5.48% 7.97% 4.48% NA
1988 1,342 255 19.00% 14.31% 5.29% 7.83% 3.35% NA
1989 1,808 301 16.65% 10.95% 3.93% 7.85% 2.54% NA
1990 1,962 377 19.22% 13.35% 4.28% 8.51% 2.40% NA
1991 2,462 469 19.05% 13.61% 3.94% 7.60% 3.49% NA
1992 2,150 400 18.60% 13.21% 4.19% 7.44% 2.84% NA
1993 2,578 549 21.30% 15.52% 3.61% 8.46% 3.06% NA
1994 3,352 696 20.76% 14.83% 3.28% 8.53% 3.31% NA
1995 3,753 774 20.62% 14.58% 2.58% 8.23% 3.01% NA
1996 4,431 821 18.53% 10.09% 1.22% 9.03% 3.70% 9.03%
1997 5,620 1,079 19.20% 9.23% 1.23% 10.41% 4.06% 10.39%
1998 8,688 1,528 17.59% 7.88% 1.40% 9.82% 3.34% 9.82%
1999 8,674 1,456 16.79% 6.20% 1.16% 10.69% 3.46% 10.69%
2000 231 34 14.72% 9.96% 3.46% 3.03% 3.03% 3.04%
2001 173 22 12.72% 9.25% 2.31% 2.31% 2.89% 2.31%
2002 229 20 8.73% 5.68% 1.31% 1.31% 2.18% 1.31%
2003 228 9 3.95% 1.75% 0.44% 1.75% 1.32% 1.75%
2004 250 18 7.20% 5.20% 1.20% 0.40% 1.60% 0.40%
2005 176 12 6.82% 5.11% 1.14% 0.57% 1.14% 0.57%
2006 304 16 5.26% 3.95% 0.99% 0.66% 0.66% 0.66%
2007 186 12 6.45% 5.38% 2.15% 1.08% 0.54% 1.08%
2008 239 12 5.02% 2.09% 1.26% 0.84% 2.09% 0.84%
2009 81 5 6.17% 3.70% 2.47% 0.00% 2.47% 0.00%
2010 69 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2011 124 6 4.84% 1.61% 0.00% 2.42% 0.81% 2.42%
2012 210 2 0.95% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.95% 0.00%
2013 121 1 0.83% 0.00% 0.00% 0.83% 0.00% 0.83%
2014 243 6 2.47% 0.82% 0.00% 1.23% 0.41% 1.23%
2015 161 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2016 377 1 0.27% 0.27% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2017 182 3 1.65% 0.00% 0.00% 1.65% 0.00% 1.65%
2018 352 1 0.28% 0.00% 0.00% 0.28% 0.28% 0.28%
2019 80 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2020 108 3 2.78% 0.93% 0.93% 0.93% 0.93% 0.93%
2021 51 1 1.96% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.96% 0.00%
2022 36 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2023 34 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2024 35 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2025 55 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2026 71 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2027 9 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 57,436 10,201 17.76% 10.44% 2.49% 8.51% 3.32% 8.80%

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 3 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.22%
1998 109 8 7.34% 5.50% 1.83% 4.59% 0.92% 0.12%
1999 462 69 14.94% 13.20% 2.60% 13.13% 9.19% 0.16%
2000 16,965 2,640 15.56% 13.76% 3.10% 13.56% 9.85% 0.41%
2001 14,694 2,300 15.65% 13.69% 3.20% 13.49% 9.35% 0.42%
2002 23,861 3,150 13.20% 11.63% 2.64% 11.42% 8.11% 0.35%
2003 20,035 2,741 13.68% 11.76% 3.35% 11.54% 7.77% 0.50%
2004 32,535 3,680 11.31% 9.90% 2.23% 9.73% 6.76% 0.33%
2005 22,611 2,818 12.46% 10.71% 2.88% 10.52% 6.90% 0.42%
2006 39,722 3,974 10.00% 8.71% 2.03% 8.55% 5.79% 0.26%
2007 28,974 2,874 9.92% 8.37% 2.32% 8.22% 5.51% 0.24%
2008 38,437 3,201 8.33% 7.32% 1.49% 7.18% 4.93% 0.23%
2009 18,293 1,642 8.98% 7.76% 1.75% 7.62% 5.30% 0.24%
2010 37,065 2,937 7.92% 7.16% 1.16% 7.09% 3.38% 0.13%
2011 24,155 2,382 9.86% 8.99% 1.34% 8.89% 3.65% 0.16%
2012 54,309 4,243 7.81% 6.77% 1.35% 6.67% 3.13% 0.14%
2013 30,779 2,677 8.70% 7.67% 1.44% 7.60% 3.28% 0.13%
2014 74,754 4,591 6.14% 5.34% 1.01% 5.29% 2.51% 0.09%
2015 34,057 2,592 7.61% 6.77% 1.14% 6.69% 3.06% 0.11%
2016 98,319 4,620 4.70% 4.12% 0.71% 4.09% 1.99% 0.05%
2017 28,372 1,834 6.46% 5.93% 0.75% 5.86% 2.86% 0.09%
2018 110,561 4,748 4.29% 3.73% 0.67% 3.70% 2.08% 0.03%
2019 15,133 852 5.63% 5.21% 0.59% 5.18% 3.28% 0.04%
2020 13,833 822 5.94% 5.70% 0.32% 5.68% 3.95% 0.02%
2021 12,069 581 4.81% 4.59% 0.29% 4.57% 3.23% 0.02%
2022 13,936 620 4.45% 4.31% 0.19% 4.31% 3.17% 0.00%
2023 10,277 442 4.30% 4.16% 0.20% 4.14% 2.96% 0.03%
2024 12,878 578 4.49% 4.36% 0.17% 4.36% 3.39% 0.01%
2025 10,940 378 3.46% 3.35% 0.11% 3.39% 2.47% 0.01%
2026 5,846 6 0.10% 0.02% 0.09% 0.00% 0.00% 0.02%
2027 152 1 0.66% 0.00% 0.66% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
All Model Years 844,145 64,010 7.58% 6.68% 1.31% 6.64% 3.92% 0.15%

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 5,995 10.44%
All Visual 11,056 1.31% 1,907 3.32%
All Functional 56,421 6.68% 4,887 8.51%
OBDII 55,676 6.64% 2,802 8.80%
Overall 64,010 7.58% 10,201 17.76%

Initial Test Failures by Program Area

Program Area OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
Enhanced 727,388 54,872 7.54% 47,289 8,562 18.11%
Partial Enhanced 42,960 3,476 8.09% 3,009 582 19.34%
Basic 68,526 5,263 7.68% 6,745 959 14.22%
Change of Ownership 5,271 399 7.57% 393 98 24.94%
All Program Areas 844,145 64,010 7.58% 57,436 10,201 17.76%

Initial Test Failures by Station Type

Station Type OIS BAR-97
Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate Initial Tests Failed Failure Rate
STAR Test Only 476,707 37,430 7.85% 34,078 5,987 17.57%
Non-STAR Test Only 34,697 2,137 6.16% 1,782 170 9.54%
STAR Test and Repair 221,408 18,145 8.20% 17,065 3,393 19.88%
Non-STAR Test and Repair 107,587 5,920 5.50% 3,758 463 12.32%
Test and Repair/Dealer 1,627 77 4.73% 11 1 9.09%
Business Fleet 272 11 4.04% 0 0 0.00%
Permanent Fleet Registered 15 1 6.67% 0 0 0.00%
Referee 331 198 59.82% 65 42 64.62%
Government Fleet 1,501 91 6.06% 677 145 21.42%
All Stations 844,145 64,010 7.58% 57,436 10,201 17.76%

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 821,290 91.09% 80,291 8.91%
All Tests 882,391 90.60% 91,586 9.40%

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 215,388 90.32% 23,085 9.68%
STAR Test Only 465,754 91.18% 45,031 8.82%
Non-STAR Test and Repair 104,116 93.51% 7,229 6.49%
Non-STAR Test Only 34,055 93.36% 2,424 6.64%
Total 819,313 91.33% 77,769 8.67%

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 17,065 $78.81 221,408 $64.79 238,473 $71.80
STAR Test Only 34,078 $68.03 476,707 $58.56 510,785 $63.30
Non-STAR Test and Repair 3,758 $73.07 107,587 $77.45 111,345 $75.26
Non-STAR Test Only 1,782 $60.75 34,697 $52.80 36,479 $56.77
Total 56,683 $72.90 840,399 $66.42 897,082 $69.66

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 $0.00 346 $55.34 17,065 $78.81 221,062 $64.81
STAR Test Only 0 $0.00 1,776 $48.93 34,078 $68.03 474,931 $58.63
Non-STAR Test and Repair 0 $0.00 48,336 $79.87 3,758 $72.94 59,251 $74.88
Non-STAR Test Only 0 $0.00 15,713 $54.20 1,782 $60.98 18,984 $50.72
Total 0 $0.00 66,171 $75.65 56,683 $72.90 774,228 $64.08

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) $0-100 576 $55.69 3,134 $651.66
$101-250 639 $175.30
$251-500 563 $372.10
$501-650 253 $575.73
Over $651 1103 $1,398.98
Non-STAR Repairs (Test and Repair) $0-100 53 $65.00 488 $779.44
$101-250 110 $186.31
$251-500 116 $371.75
$501-650 34 $573.00
Over $651 175 $1,678.98
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 1 $65.00 452 $1,410.08
$101-250 24 $217.94
$251-500 43 $388.22
$501-650 32 $557.91
Over $651 352 $1,697.48
Total Repairs $0-100 630 $56.49 4,074 $751.11
$101-250 773 $178.19
$251-500 722 $373.00
$501-650 319 $573.65
Over $651 1630 $1,493.50

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 116 29 1,549 81 1,775
STAR Test Only 19 4 1,668 37 1,728
STAR Subtotal 135 33 3,217 118 3,503
Non-STAR Test and Repair 423 52 1,711 185 2,371
Non-STAR Test Only 40 9 339 48 436
Non-STAR Subtotal 463 61 2,050 233 2,807
Test and Repair/Dealer 47 0 0 0 47
Business Fleet 0 0 3 0 3
Permanent Fleet Registered 1 0 12 1 14
Referee 5 0 34 1 40
Government Fleet 44 5 312 15 376
Repair Only 1 0 20 0 21
Other Station Subtotal 98 5 381 17 501
All Stations 696 99 5,648 368 6,811

Stations Conducting Test by Equipment Type

Station Type Equipment Type
BAR-97 Only OIS Only BAR-97 and OIS
STAR Test and Repair 3 308 1,398
STAR Test Only 2 191 1,475
STAR Subtotal 5 499 2,873
Non-STAR Test and Repair 0 1,618 212
Non-STAR Test Only 0 201 75
Non-STAR Subtotal 0 1,819 287
Permanent Fleet Registered 0 7 0
Business Fleet 0 2 0
Test and Repair/Dealer 0 40 2
Government Fleet 3 146 30
Referee 0 4 29
Other Station Subtotal 3 199 61
All Stations 8 2,517 3,221

Referee Inspections

Inspection Type Total Completed
Smog Inspection/Repair Disputes 491
BAR Referrals 395
Law Enforcement Citations 340
Repair Cost Waiver + Parts Locator Service 178
Engine Change/Replacement 66
Clean Gas 55
Specially Constructed Vehicle/Kit Car 36
CAT BAR Label 23
OBD Monitor Issues 20
Grey Market 15
All Inspections 1,619

Referee Certificates Issued

Certificate Type OIS BAR-97
Certificate of Compliance 248 64
Repair Cost Waiver 54 7
Limited Parts Exemption 5 1
Exempt Vehicle 3 10
Exempted by Directive 25 0
Hardship Extensions 0 0
Non-Compliance 0 0
All Certificates Issued 335 82

Technicians

Technician License Type Technicians Conducting Tests Total Licensed Technicians
EO (Inspect Only) 3,252 5,513
EO+EI (Inspect and Repair) 5,127 7,191
All License Types 8,379 12,704

FPR Score Distribution

License Type FPR Score < 0.10 FPR Score ≥ 0.10 and < 0.40 FPR Score ≥ 0.40 No Score Total
Stations 219 1,115 3,597 1,379 6,310
Inspectors 277 1,728 5,576 5,123 12,704

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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