As a car owner, it is your responsibility to properly register your vehicle and pass any testing that your state requires, including smog testing.  Drivers are responsible for the cars they are driving and driving a car that has failed a smog test can lead to tickets, fines, and a criminal action so it is best to either have the vehicle fixed or park it until it can be fixed.  At Scotty's Automotive Repair we employ highly skilled professionals who have the knowledge and experience to handle any emissions problem your vehicle may have.  We have a smog shop and the tools and technology to perform any smog repair, so you can get your car back on the road where it belongs.

What is a Smog Check?

Regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smog checks are designed to test the emissions that come from vehicles to protect the public an environment from harmful air pollution.  Unfortunately, the EPA does not have the authority required to enforce every state to perform smog testing, and it is up to each states transportation department to decide if they require smog checks.

Where are Smog Checks Required?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to oversee states that require smog inspections; they cannot force any state to require them.  The states that currently require smog inspections include:

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

When vehicles undergo smog inspections, they are checked inside and out and includes a visual examination, computer diagnostic, and a measurement of the emissions that come from the vehicle's tailpipe.  If the car passes the smog test, then the owner receives a certificate allowing them to register their vehicle.  A smog test is required every two years.

What Happens If My Car Fails A Smog Test?

Since the smog test was designed to reduce the amount of air pollution and protect the public and environment from the harmful effect’s hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and other toxic compounds if your car fails a smog test you will not be allowed to drive the vehicle.  You have several options available to you if your car does not pass a smog test and they include getting the vehicle fixed so that it can pass a smog test, sell the vehicle, or sell the vehicle to a junkyard for scrap.  The choice is up to you, but so long as the vehicle is unable to pass a smog test, it will not be allowed on the road.  Since you will not be able to register a car that does not pass a smog test if you get caught driving it, you can receive citations, fines, and if you try to falsify the registration, it is a crime that can be at the felony level.

At Scotty's Automotive Repair, the health and safety of our customers are high priorities.  As incensed and certified mechanics, we also have a responsibility to the environment and helping to keep harmful exhaust emissions from polluting the environment.  If your vehicle has failed a smog test visit us and we can run a full diagnostic and locate and fix the issue, so you can get your car back on the road.