Frequently Asked Questions

Most gasoline-powered vehicles 1976 and newer need a smog check every two years for registration renewal. You'll also need one when you sell a vehicle that's more than 4 model years old, or when registering a vehicle from out of state.

Your DMV registration renewal notice will tell you if a smog check is required for this cycle.

The following vehicles are exempt in California:

• Gasoline vehicles 1975 and older
• Electric vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Trailers
• Hybrid vehicles less than 8 model years old
• Diesel vehicles 1997 and older, or diesels with a GVWR over 14,000 lbs
• Natural gas vehicles over 14,000 lbs

If you're not sure whether your vehicle needs a smog check, check your DMV renewal notice or give us a call.

Most passenger vehicles are done in about 15 minutes. Older vehicles (1999 and earlier) and diesels take about 20 minutes since they require additional tailpipe testing.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments take priority. If you're on a tight schedule, book online or call ahead to guarantee your time slot.

Book online → or call (626) 366-9234.

Just the vehicle itself, and your DMV renewal notice if you have one (it makes things faster). We use the VIN on the vehicle to submit results directly to the DMV electronically — no paper certificate to lose.

Yes, if the vehicle is more than 4 model years old. The seller is required to provide a valid smog certificate at the time of sale (valid within 90 days of the sale).

The buyer is responsible for smog on cars 4 model years old or newer.

Usually no — if the seller provided you a valid smog certificate at time of sale, that carries through the title transfer.

However: if you're buying a vehicle from out of state, you'll need a smog check to register it in California. This is called a "Change of Ownership" or "Out-of-State Transfer" smog check.

You'll need to repair the issue that caused the fail, then come back for a retest.

If you retest at Rene's Auto within 15 business days of the original failed inspection, the retest is only $10. Past that window, it's the full price of a new smog check — unless an extension has been arranged with the shop beforehand.

Cars can drive perfectly fine while still failing modern smog standards. The most common reasons:

• Illuminated check engine light — automatic fail, no exceptions
• OBD "readiness monitors" not complete — usually happens after a recent battery disconnect or clearing codes; you need to drive the vehicle for a while so the computer can re-check its systems
• Emissions component out of spec — catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, EVAP system components can be marginal without triggering a warning light
• Gas cap or EVAP leak — a bad gas cap seal is a surprisingly common cause

If your car fails, we'll show you the exact reason and can help you understand what needs to be repaired.

STAR stations are BAR-certified stations that meet higher performance standards for accuracy and quality. The DMV directs some vehicles to a STAR station specifically — you'll see this noted on your renewal notice.

Rene's Auto is a STAR Certified Smog Check station, so we can handle any renewal — whether or not your notice requires a STAR station. Just come in.

An illuminated check engine light is an automatic smog check failure. You'll need to have the issue diagnosed and repaired first.

Also — simply clearing the code by disconnecting the battery won't work. The OBD system needs to complete its "readiness monitors" (drive cycles) before we can test the vehicle. This usually requires 50–100 miles of mixed driving after the code is cleared.

Certificate is included in every price below:

• 2000 & Newer cars, trucks, SUVs — $65.00
• 1999 & Older cars, trucks, SUVs — $110.00
• Diesel — $95.00

See our full Pricing page for retest fees and complete details.

VSSI stands for Vehicle Safety System Inspection. It's a comprehensive safety inspection required by California for certain vehicles — mainly revived salvage vehicles.

As of September 2024, VSSI replaced the older separate Brake and Lamp inspections with a single unified inspection and electronic certificate submitted directly to the DMV.

You need a VSSI if:

• You're reviving a salvage-titled vehicle for registration
• The DMV specifically requires one for your registration situation
• You have certain commercial or specialty vehicles requiring inspection at registration

Your DMV paperwork will indicate if a VSSI is required. If you're not sure, call us at (626) 366-9234.

They're two completely different inspections:

• Smog Check tests emissions systems — what comes out of the tailpipe and the OBD emissions monitors
• VSSI checks physical safety systems — brakes, lighting, tires, wheels, steering, suspension, body structure, seatbelts, and more

Each has its own certificate and its own requirements. Some vehicles need both.

The old system required two separate inspections and two separate certificates — one for brakes, one for lamps.

VSSI combines both into a single comprehensive inspection with one electronic certificate submitted directly to the DMV. VSSI also covers more systems than the old brake and lamp inspection did — including tires, steering, suspension, seatbelts, body structure, and a road test.

Paper Brake and Lamp certificates issued before September 28, 2024 are no longer accepted for new DMV transactions.

Pricing is based on vehicle weight class:

• Sedans — $200.00
• Light Trucks / Vans — $250.00
• Heavy Duty Trucks / Vans — $350.00

Retest within 15 business days is $100. See our Pricing page for full details.

By the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your vehicle.

GVWR is normally listed on the driver-side door-jamb sticker (the white label that also contains the VIN). If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can look up your vehicle's GVWR on the NHTSA VIN decoder: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder.

Depends on vehicle size:

• Sedans — about 45 minutes
• Light Trucks & Vans — about 45 minutes
• Heavy-Duty Trucks & Vans — about 1 hour

It's a thorough inspection covering many safety systems — brakes, lighting, tires, wheels, steering, suspension, body structure, seatbelts, and a road test — so it's not a quick process.

You'll receive a written report showing exactly what failed and why. You'll need to repair those items, then bring the vehicle back for a full re-inspection.

The retest fee is $100 if performed within 15 business days of the original inspection. Past that window, the full VSSI fee applies again.

The Bureau of Automotive Repair requires the technician to certify — under penalty of perjury — that all required safety systems have been inspected against BAR standards each time a certificate of compliance is issued (VSSI Manual, Chapters 1.1 and 1.6.C).

That's why every VSSI retest is a complete inspection, not just a spot-check on the items that originally failed. If we only rechecked failed items and another safety system had broken since the original inspection, we'd be issuing a false certificate.

Read the official BAR VSSI Manual →

Yes, appointments are strongly recommended for VSSI. Because the inspection takes 45–60 minutes and requires dedicated bay time, we can serve you much better if you book in advance.

Book online → or call (626) 366-9234.

Bring:

• The vehicle itself (drivable — we do a road test)
• Any DMV paperwork for the salvage revival process (REG 31, REG 488C, or similar)
• Your ID

The technician will verify the VIN on the vehicle matches your paperwork before beginning the inspection.

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

Yes. Rene's Auto has bilingual staff — every customer gets explained clearly in English or Spanish, whichever they prefer. Sí, hablamos español.

Yes, walk-ins are welcome. But appointments take priority — if you have somewhere to be, book an appointment online or call ahead.

Book online → or call (626) 366-9234.

We accept cash and credit/debit cards. Payment is due at time of service.

11743 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91732

Right off Valley Boulevard, easy access from the 10, 60, and 605 freeways. See our Contact page for a map and directions.

Yes. Rene's Auto is a BAR-licensed Smog Check and Vehicle Safety System Inspection station. Our license number is ARD #301157.

You can verify us anytime at the BAR Shop Locator.