Types of Smog Test Stations in California

A smog check inspection is performed by a station that has been licensed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). Depending on the situation, the owner may be required to take the vehicle to one of the following types of smog check stations:

• STAR station, one that meets the BAR's higher performance standards. Some STAR stations are test-only stations, while other STAR stations are test-and-repair. These are the crown jewel of the California Bureau of Automotive Repair smog check stations. The technicians at these locations have exemplified superior knowledge, customer service and testing procedures. Lake Smog Test only in Pasadena has been awarded the STAR certification and is considered one of California's top smog test only stations. Lake Smog Test does not perform any repairs therefore the customer can be assured that they are receiving an unbiased, accurate and superior emissions test. STAR Stations are only focused on performing accurate testing of your vehicle. 
• Test-only station, one that can perform the smog check test, but cannot make repairs. Has not met the BAR's highest performance standards. Often times these non-STAR stations are operated by technicians who are either new or have under performed in the past. These stations are considered undesirable.
• Test-and-repair station, one that can both perform the smog check and repair the vehicle. Often times a test-and-repair station suffers from a conflict of interest. As a consumer, it may seem fishy that a station which is in business to repair vehicles that do not pass emissions tests is also the one performing the test. This can lead to the thought that the station intentionally did not allow the vehicle to pass in order to make more money on the repair.
• Repair-only station, one that can only repair the vehicle, but cannot perform the test itself. These stations do not perform any sort of test and are not authorized to.

​
Until a smog certificate can be provided registration will not be renewed. If the vehicle fails the smog check, the owner will be required to complete all necessary repairs and pass a smog check retest in order to complete the registration. Located at 765 E. Washington Blvd in Pasadena California, Lake Smog Test is a STAR Certified Test Only Station offering competitively priced testing for your vehicle. If the costs of repairing the vehicle outweigh its value, the state may buy it and have it scrapped. The buyback program is part of California's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) that also offers consumer assistance for repairs related to smog check. The program is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Call Us: (626) 798-0049