Car Failed Smog Check in California? What to Do Next

If your car failed a smog check in California, start with the Vehicle Inspection Report the station gave you. It tells you why the car failed, and the reason determines the next step. Most failures come down to one of three things: a check engine light or stored fault, incomplete readiness monitors, or a problem with emissions equipment found in the visual or functional checks. Fix the cause, drive the car enough for the system to reset, and retest.

California also has two state programs worth knowing about. The BAR Referee helps with disputed results and unusual vehicles, and BAR's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) may help income-eligible owners pay for emissions repairs or retire a car. If you're buying a used car and it failed smog before the sale, the rule is simple: the seller has to fix it, not you.

First: read the failure reason

Our guide to check engine lights and readiness monitors explains the "incomplete monitor" failure in more detail. It's one of the most misunderstood.

Step-by-step plan after a smog failure

1. Keep the report. The repair shop needs the failure details.
2. Get a diagnosis at a licensed smog repair station or a shop that knows your type of vehicle. For diesels and hybrids, choose a shop with experience; see diesel smog checks and hybrid smog checks.
3. Ask for a written estimate before work starts. Prices vary, so get more than one quote for big repairs.
4. Complete the repair and keep the invoice.
5. Drive the car under normal conditions, including some freeway time, so readiness monitors can complete.
6. Retest. Some stations offer retest pricing. Ask when you book.

If your renewal notice says you need a STAR-certified station, both the test and retest need to happen at a STAR station. Use the station locator at https://www.bar.ca.gov/.

The BAR Referee: when the normal route doesn't work

The BAR Referee is a state service for situations where the normal smog process isn't working. People typically contact it when:

• They disagree with a station's test results.
• The vehicle can't be tested at a regular station, for example because of unusual equipment or modifications.
• Parts aren't available or the vehicle has an engine change and needs a determination.

Referee appointments are scheduled through BAR. Don't show up without one. Check bar.ca.gov for current eligibility and how to book.

Consumer Assistance Program (CAP)

BAR's CAP may help income-eligible owners in two ways:

• Repair assistance: help paying for emissions-related repairs at a participating station.
• Vehicle retirement: a payment for retiring a car that failed its smog check, through a licensed dismantler.

Eligibility rules and payment amounts change, so check the current details at https://www.bar.ca.gov/ before you count on it. Applying before you start repairs is generally important, because work done beforehand may not qualify.

Retire the car and replace it?

If repairs cost more than the car is worth, retirement can make sense. Beyond CAP, two incentive programs relate to retiring older cars in Orange County:

• Clean Cars 4 All "Scrap and Replace" (through the Driving Clean Assistance Program at drivingcleanca.org) is open to income-qualified applicants: up to $12,000 toward a new or used battery-electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell vehicle when you scrap an older qualifying vehicle, plus up to $2,000 for charging assistance. Replacement vehicles have limits (used vehicles must be 8 model years old or newer with 75,000 miles or less). Rules change, so check before you apply.
• South Coast AQMD "Replace Your Ride" covers Orange County but paused intake in mid-2026. Check https://www.aqmd.gov/ for current status.

If you're buying and the car failed smog

In a California sale, the seller has to give you a valid smog certificate (Vehicle Code 24007), and "as is" doesn't change that. If a car you want failed smog:

• Don't buy it until it passes. Let the seller handle repairs and provide a passing certificate.
• Don't accept "it just needs a sensor." If it were that simple, the seller would fix it.
• If you've already bought it without a certificate, contact the seller in writing. See who pays for the smog check for your options.

Buying from Irvine Used Cars avoids this situation: every car is smog checked before sale, and you get the certificate with the title and bill of sale. You can see our current cars for sale.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I retest after failing smog?

You can retest once the problem is fixed and the readiness monitors have completed, which may take some normal driving. Testing too soon after a repair or battery disconnect often leads to a second failure.

Can I register my car if it failed smog?

Not until it passes or you get an approved resolution. If your registration is about to expire while you fix the car, ask the DMV about a temporary operating permit, and be aware that late fees may apply if renewal is delayed.

Does the Consumer Assistance Program pay for all repairs?

No. CAP may help income-eligible owners with part of the cost of emissions-related repairs, and there are limits and conditions. Check current rules on bar.ca.gov before starting repairs.

What does the BAR Referee do?

The Referee handles cases the regular smog stations can't resolve, like disputed results, vehicles that can't be tested normally, or engine changes. Appointments are required and are booked through BAR.

Will a failed smog check show up when I sell the car?

Smog test results are reported to the state, and buyers can look up a California vehicle's smog history through BAR's online tools. Fix the problem and get a passing certificate before you list the car.

Moving forward

Read the report, fix the cause, and retest after a proper drive. For the full rules on who needs smog and when, see the California smog check guide for used car buyers and the California DMV guide for used car buyers. To ask about a smog-checked car from us, call or text (516) 835-6141.