📍 11743 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA · Serving the San Gabriel Valley
📞 (626) 366-9234 · Get Directions
Rene's Auto
Smog Check · Brakes · Safety Inspection
★ STAR Certified
License ARD #301157
What We Offer

Services

Rene's Auto is a licensed California Smog Check station and Vehicle Safety System Inspection (VSSI) station. Below is everything we do, with pricing posted per California Bureau of Automotive Repair requirements. For the complete price reference sheet plus retest fees and policies, see the Pricing page.

💨 Emissions

Smog Check

★ Rene's Auto is a STAR Certified Smog Check station — the higher accuracy and quality tier required for some DMV renewals. We handle any renewal, including those marked "STAR station required" on your renewal notice.

DMV-required emissions inspection for registration renewal, initial registration, change-of-ownership, or out-of-state title transfer. Certificate included in the service price.

Smog Check — 2000 / Newer

Cars, trucks, and SUVs from model year 2000 and up.
✓ Certificate included ⏱️ ~15 min
$65.00

Smog Check — 1999 / Older

Cars, trucks, and SUVs from model year 1999 and earlier. Includes tailpipe emissions test.
✓ Certificate included ⏱️ ~20 min
$110.00

Smog Check — Diesel

Diesel-powered passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.
✓ Certificate included ⏱️ ~20 min
$95.00
✓ State Smog Certificate is included in every Smog Check price above — no additional certificate fee added at checkout.
🔍 Safety Inspection

Vehicle Safety System Inspection (VSSI)

Formerly known as "Brake & Lamp." Required for salvage-titled vehicles being revived and returned to the road. Pricing is based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

VSSI — Sedans

Standard passenger sedans and coupes.
⏱️ ~45 min ✓ DMV documentation included
$200.00

VSSI — Light Trucks / Vans

Light-duty pickups, minivans, SUVs, and cargo vans.
⏱️ ~45 min ✓ DMV documentation included
$250.00

VSSI — Heavy Duty Trucks / Vans

Heavy-duty pickups, box trucks, and commercial vans.
⏱️ ~60 min ✓ DMV documentation included
$350.00
ⓘ How VSSI pricing works: Pricing is based on your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), normally found on the driver-side door-jamb sticker (the white label that also contains the VIN). If the sticker is missing or unreadable, GVWR can be looked up on the NHTSA website by VIN.
🛑 Brake Service

Brake Repair & Inspection

Rene's Auto handles brake service from complete inspections to full pad and rotor replacement — all done in-house by our BAR-licensed technicians. Every brake job starts with a free inspection so you know exactly what your vehicle needs before we quote a price.

Front Brake Pads Only

$195. Front axle pad replacement for most vehicles. Parts and labor included. Does not include rotors.

Front & Rear Brake Pads Only

$350. Both axles, most vehicles. Parts and labor included. Does not include rotors.

Rotors, Calipers & Fluid

Additional service if rotors need resurfacing or replacement, plus caliper inspection, brake fluid flush, and parking brake adjustment. Pricing based on your vehicle. We always show you the parts and explain your options before any work.

See full brake service details, warning signs to watch for, and current offers →

↻ Retest

Retest Fees

If your vehicle needs to come back after a failed inspection, the retest is discounted — but only within the agreed upon time frame given by the shop.

Smog Retest — within 15 business days

Applies to both 2000/Newer and 1999/Older vehicles. Must be within 15 business days of the original failed inspection.
$10.00

VSSI Retest — within 15 business days

Complete re-inspection of a failed Vehicle Safety System Inspection within 15 business days. Per BAR requirements, a VSSI retest is a full inspection of all safety systems — not just the items that failed.
$100.00
ⓘ Why VSSI retests re-inspect the whole vehicle: The Bureau of Automotive Repair's Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Manual 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. That's why we perform a complete inspection on every retest — not just a spot-check on the failed items. Read the official BAR VSSI Manual →
⚠ Past 15 business days: The customer pays normal price — unless an extension has been arranged with the shop beforehand. See the Policies section for what counts as a valid extension.

Ready to book?

Pick your service and a time that works. Walk-ins welcome — appointments take priority.

Book Now → 📞 (626) 366-9234