Home / Services / Failed Smog?
Failed Smog Check in San Diego, CA
Failed a smog check in San Diego? Keep the vehicle inspection report, have the emissions repairs done at a licensed repair station you choose, then retest. If the car failed its paid inspection at our Golden Hill STAR station, the $30 smog retest applies within 30 calendar days. Walk in or book online.
We don't sell repairs, so the advice below is the same whatever you end up fixing.
- 5.0★ · 1,621 Google reviews
- STAR certified
- BAR-licensed station #310739
- Test-only station
- Walk-ins welcome
Keep these together
- The vehicle inspection report. Results, the pass/fail call and any open safety recalls are all on it.
- Your DMV renewal notice or the documents DMV sent you. You'll need to know whether the retest has to be at a STAR station.
- Every repair invoice from here on, for your records.
From fail to retest
- We explain the report before you leave, in plain terms you can repeat to a mechanic.
- You pick the repair station. Emissions repairs are done at a test-and-repair or repair-only station of your choice. Find a licensed repair station with BAR's Auto Shop Locator.
- You give the car time. If the battery was disconnected or codes were cleared during the repair, drive normally for a week or two.
- You come back. The $30 smog retest is $21.75, plus the $8.25 certificate if the car passes, within 30 calendar days of the paid, failed inspection here. If your notice requires a STAR station, we are one.
Common causes of a fail
- The check engine light. With it on, a vehicle will not pass.
- Readiness monitors that haven't finished after a battery swap or cleared codes.
- A specific emissions fault shown on the report.
Before you approve an expensive repair, check your owner's manual. Some emissions repairs may be covered by your manufacturer's warranty.
Brands we test
Toyota and Honda lead our F Street job photos, followed by Ford, Nissan and Mazda. Browse every brand on the vehicles we smog check page.
Straight from Google
5 out of 5 stars
“… The technician was friendly, professional, and efficient. Because it's a test-only station, there was zero sales pressure or upselling—just quick and transparent service. …”
Frequently asked questions
Do you do smog repairs?
No. We're test-only: we do smog checks but not emissions repairs. Find a licensed repair station with BAR's Auto Shop Locator.
How much is the retest?
For a car that failed its paid inspection here: $21.75, plus the $8.25 state certificate if it passes ($30 total), within 30 calendar days. Fail again and that retest is $21.75. Full terms are on our smog retest page.
What's on the vehicle inspection report?
The test results, whether the car passed or failed, and any open safety recalls.
Can you predict whether I'll pass next time?
No one can before the test. A lit check engine light means the car won't pass, so make sure that's resolved.
Where do I have to retest?
If your notice calls for a STAR station, the retest must be at one; if not, any test-and-repair or test-only station works. We are STAR certified.
Station hours
San Diego STAR Smog Check
2484 F St, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 228-9146
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
We're closed Sundays. Holiday hours are kept current on our Google Business Profile. The waiting room has Wi-Fi, and we speak Spanish (se habla español). Cash, all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay all work.
After a fail, drivers come back to us from Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Stockton and East Village.
Come back for your retest
When the repairs are finished, we're on F Street in Golden Hill.
San Diego STAR Smog Check · 2484 F St, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92102 · BAR license #310739 · (619) 228-9146