El Monte's Smog Check
& Safety Inspection Station
Fast, honest work you can verify. Smog Check from $65 with certificate included. Vehicle Safety System Inspection from $200. Walk-ins welcome — appointments take priority.
Hours of Operation
🔧 Now Hiring — Licensed VSSI Technician
Required Qualifications
- ASE Certified in A4 (Steering & Suspension), A5 (Brakes), and A6 (Electrical/Electronic Systems) — all three required to sit for the state exam
- Current California BAR Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection license, OR eligible and willing to take the state exam within 30 days of hire
- Thorough knowledge of CA Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection program requirements
- Experience performing brake, steering, suspension, lighting, tire, and glazing inspections per BAR standards
- Clean driving record and valid California driver's license
- Able to produce accurate, documented inspection reports
🎓 Certified through trade school? Click here — you may still qualify
If you completed training in brakes, steering/suspension, and electrical systems through an accredited automotive trade school program (Rio Hondo, Mt. SAC, UTI, WyoTech, Lincoln Tech, etc.), your coursework qualifies you to sit for the ASE A4, A5, and A6 certification exams — the "2 years of experience" requirement is waived for trade school graduates.
The path to the role:
- Register for and pass ASE A4 (Steering & Suspension), A5 (Brakes), and A6 (Electrical/Electronic Systems) — exams run quarterly through ase.com
- Once ASE certified in all three, apply for the California BAR Vehicle Safety Systems Inspector license
- Pass the BAR state exam — you're licensed and ready to inspect
We'll work with you. If you have your trade school diploma + coursework in these three areas, call or text us. We can discuss a plan to get you licensed quickly — including potential conditional hire while you complete the exams, and reimbursement for ASE test fees if hired.
What We Offer
- Full-time position at a STAR Certified BAR-licensed station
- Pay tiered by license status (see range above) — negotiable up for highly experienced inspectors
- Clean, organized shop with current VSSI equipment
- Steady VSSI volume — appointments plus walk-ins
- Reimbursement / support for ASE recertification and BAR license renewal (negotiable)
- Opportunity to also perform smog if EO licensed, or train toward it
- Family-run business, respectful work environment
Quick Links
Rene's is licensed for two things and we do them well.
El Monte's STAR Certified Inspection Station.
Rene's Auto is a STAR Certified Smog Check station serving El Monte and the San Gabriel Valley, licensed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair to perform Smog Check and Vehicle Safety System Inspection. We also handle brake service and routine vehicle maintenance — oil changes, filters, and fluids — so you can take care of your car in one visit. Every service and every price is posted publicly. Bilingual staff. Certificates issued electronically to the DMV.
Smog Check
2000/Newer cars, trucks, and SUVs — certificate included in the price.
Minute Turnaround
Most Smog Checks in and out in fifteen minutes.
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish — every customer explained clearly.
STAR Certified
Higher accuracy and quality standards. We handle any renewal, including STAR-required.
BusinessRate Award Winner
Recognized among the top-rated smog and safety inspection stations in El Monte.
What We Do
Rene's Auto is a STAR Certified Smog Check station and Vehicle Safety System Inspection (VSSI) facility. We also handle brake service and routine vehicle maintenance — so you can take care of everything in one stop. For complete pricing see the Pricing page.
💨 Smog Check
From $65. DMV renewal, initial registration, change-of-ownership, and out-of-state title transfers. Certificate included.
🔍 Vehicle Safety Inspection
From $200. Required for revived salvage vehicles. Pricing based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
🛑 Brake Service
From $195. Pad replacement, rotor service, calipers, brake fluid. Free inspection. Learn more →
🔧 Maintenance
Oil change, air filter, cabin filter, coolant, brake fluid, tire rotation. Add-on service while you wait. Learn more →
View all services and pricing →
Bundle Your Smog with Maintenance and Save
Three service packages designed for one-stop visits — from a quick smog + oil change combo to full-service maintenance while you wait.
