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What is a Test Only Center?
A Test Only Center is just that - a smog test only facility.
No diagnostics nor repairs can be performed at a Test Only Center
- just a smog inspection, or if you will, smog check, smog test, smog exam,
whatever you want to call it. The equipment and Smog Check Procedure is the same
at a Test Only Center and a Test and Repair Facility.
Test Only Centers were created shortly after the introduction of BAR
97, California's latest vehicle smog inspection program. Prior to BAR 97, all
smog inspection facilities were allowed to perform smog diagnostics and repairs.
Now only certified emissions repair technicians at Test and Repair Facilities
are allowed to perform emissions diagnostics and repairs.
Test Only Centers provide a sort of "Checks and Balances" for the smog
inspection program. It is my understanding that the data collected at a Test
Only Center is what the State of California uses primarily to evaluate the
effectiveness of the program.
In addition, Test Only Centers are subjected to a higher rate of
undercover vehicles by the Department of Consumer Affairs than Test and Repair
Centers as one way of maintaining the integrity of the program.
Why was a Test Only Center Created?
The way I understand it, the cost of the new equipment raised the smog check
price so much that consumers were forced to call around for estimates more than
ever before. In order to get more business, some facilities lowered their prices
to the point (I have personally seen prices as low as $9.99) that the only way
to make any money was to cheat. Imagine paying for the equipment, calibration
gases, phone charges, insurance, technician salaries, etc. and only charging
less than ten dollars a smog check? As you can imagine, this promoted fraud
which has been well documented by the Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of
Automotive Repair Division.
What many shops were doing was failing vehicles intentionally and selling
"repairs". Since consumers were being "ripped off" and the smog inspection data
being collected was inaccurate, this prompted the State of California Department
of Consumer Affairs to step in to both protect the consumer and to maintain the
integrity of the program. Thus, the creation of
Test Only Centers.
Why do I have to go to a Test Only Center when I never
had to before?
This is not such a bad thing given why the Test Only Centers were
created in the first place. I have been doing smog inspections both as a Test
and Repair Center and now as a Test Only Center. I can tell you that I
have never wanted a vehicle to pass as badly as I do now. There is no incentive
for the vehicle to fail at a Test Only Center since no repairs can be
performed, especially if a retest is performed at a discounted rate. The only incentive is for the vehicle to pass
which translates into savings for the customer.
Some reasons for vehicles being referred to a Test Only Center are if
the vehicle is labeled as a High Emitter Profile (HEP), a Gross
Polluter, or maybe it is just selected randomly. This could be due to
several reasons - age being one of them. The older the vehicle becomes, the
higher the possibility that it may fail and the State wants to keep a closer eye
on these vehicles. This is not to say that Test and Repair Facilities cannot
come up with the same results, but I guess that maybe Test Only Centers may be
prone to be more consistent since they are under closer scrutiny.
HEP vehicles are vehicles that have established a pattern of emitting
higher than normal emissions as they get older.
A "Gross Polluter" is a vehicle originally tested and having
failed at a Test and Repair Center with emissions results high enough where it
is labeled a "Gross Polluter" by the State of California. It then has to
be certified at a Test Only Center.
The State wants to track these vehicles and their repairs because only one
percent of vehicles are "Gross Polluters" but they emit ninety nine
percent of vehicle smog (latest stats that I have heard). Also, the State wants
to check some vehicle models randomly to see what the emissions trends are on
them.
Some vehicles may have been tested by the same Test and Repair shop since
they were new and of course, customer loyalty could promote shops from failing
vehicles when maybe they should.
Should I tune up my car or change the oil before the
smog check?
Not unless you definitely know that your car is not running properly due to
the oil being dirty or because of the tune up. I have seen many people spend a
lot of money on vehicle repairs prior to the smog check only to find that their
vehicle failed the smog check and the repairs performed were not at all related
to the reason the vehicle failed the test. Since the retest is discounted for
thirty days, bring it in first and let's hope it passes the first time. This way
you won't throw your money away.
As for the oil, in my opinion, if it is bad enough to make a difference in
the results of the test, you will notice it in the way your vehicle is running.
If it is bad enough to make a difference in the way it is running, you will have
other problems which will prompt you to take it into the shop for repairs long
before your smog check is required.
Having said that, your oil should be changed every three thousand miles
unless you don't keep a car for very long. In this case you can follow the
minimum factory warranty recommendation which is much higher. Remember, they are
higher for warranty reasons only, not for longevity.
What do I do if my car fails?
If your car fails at a Test Only Center, emissions repairs must be
performed at a Test and Repair Facility. Following the repairs, you then return
to the Test Only Center to be certified.
What if I cannot afford the Smog
Repair(s)?
The State of California offers Consumer Assistance for those
who qualify under the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). For more information on
this program, log onto
www.smogcheck.ca.gov.
In the meantime, if your vehicle has failed the smog check
and the vehicle registration has expired or about to, I recommend my customers
visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or the Auto Club of Southern
California (AAA - if they are members) and pay the vehicle registration fees and
then request a Temporary Operating Permit so that they can drive the car legally
during the repair process. The DMV will issue a Temporary Operating Permit for
up to 60 days.
There so happens to be a AAA office about 1 block from here
(Community Smog Center).
Can the Test Only Center refer failed vehicles to a
specific Repair Shop?
No. A Test Only Center cannot refer any one specific Test and
Repair Facility for smog related repairs. The Test Only Center has to
provide customers whose cars have failed the smog check with a list of certified
Test and Repair shops in their area. The shops on this list have to be included
in the list of certified Test and Repair shops as determined by the State of
California. These shops are all included in the Department of Consumer affairs
website
www.smogcheck.ca.gov. If you don't feel comfortable with any of the
facilities on the list given to you, you can find a complete list on the website
or by calling (800) 952-5210.
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Why should I go to a Test Only Center for my
smog check?
Being a
Test Only Center, I know that this may sound like a biased statement, but
it's the truth. Many of our customers are not referred to a Test Only Center
but they still come here for their smog check. Here are just a few reasons:
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Given
the reason for the creation of Test Only Centers
by the State of California.
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There is
no incentive for a vehicle to fail here.
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Keep the
Test and Repair Facility honest. By this I mean that if your vehicle should fail
for any reason, you can take the printout of the test results to different Test
and Repair shops before you have any repairs performed to get an estimate and to
discuss the repair procedures. This is especially good if you question what the
first Test and Repair shop you visit may be telling you.
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Many,
many years of smog check experience. This translates into a speedy smog check
and time saved. Also, we like to think that we give your vehicle the best
opportunity to pass the smog check, legally, of course.
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Our
location Community Smog Center is centrally located on the southeast corner of
Honolulu Ave. and Verdugo Blvd.. For those not familiar with the area, this is
diagonally across the street from Rocky Cola Cafe and only a block away from the
Auto Club.
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Plus
others.
Do I have to go to a Test and Repair Facility
for Repairs?
The
State of California says that you do. I have to say that smog related repairs
are not as easy as some people like to think. Unless you have the proper
equipment and training, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get the
vehicle to pass the smog inspection retest.
I have
found that those who have their vehicles repaired at Test and Repair shops
following the initial smog inspection failure, the customer is less stressed
because the repairs are performed according to protocol and the vehicle passes
the retest.
Those
that do not go to certified repair shops and have their vehicle fail the retest
are usually very unhappy and get stressed out because they have thrown away
their money on unnecessary repairs. They now find themselves in
a quandary. Do they go directly to a Test and Repair shop and spend more money?
Or do they go back to the shop that they just went to because they just paid
them money and try to get "warranty" repairs? If they didn't do it right the
first time and don't have the proper equipment, will they do it right the second
time? Do they try to get their money back and then go to a Test and Repair
shop? Or do they just let their money go? Decisions, decisions...
Here at
Community Smog Center, most of the time that repairs are performed by other
than Certified Smog Repair Technicians, the vehicles fail the retest. this
usually results in a very unhappy customer...and into wasted money for the
consumer. Definitely have repairs performed at a Test and Repair shop.
I go to the Dealership
for all my repairs. Can I go there for smog repairs?
Yes, if
they are a Test and Repair Facility.
However,
I find that in my area, most Dealerships are not Certified Test and Repair
Facilities. This means that they do not have the proper equipment and are not
familiar with the smog inspection procedure which usually results in vehicles
not passing the retest. Make sure that you check with your Dealership to make
sure they are a Test and Repair Facility prior to having emissions repairs
performed. Dealerships that do not perform smog inspections normally means
that they do not have the equipment nor a certified emissions technician.
Having
said this, if your car is under warranty, then you should return to the
Dealership for warranty repairs. In addition, I believe that in the case of some
exotic vehicles where the Dealership may be more qualified to perform the
required repairs, I believe the Smog Check program makes some allowance
for these vehicles to return to the Dealership for emissions repairs.
I have
been doing smog inspections for a very long time and I have yet to be able to
determine the emissions levels by smelling the exhaust fumes. One needs the
equipment to measure the output levels and to verify that repairs have been
successful.
One of
the things that upsets people the most is when they take their car to the
Dealership for smog repairs and it still fails the retest. Some believe that the
Dealership is the best at everything, including smog repairs when in fact, if
you don't have the proper equipment and training as required by the current
emissions program, it is very difficult if not impossible to perform and verify
your repairs, regardless of who you are and where you work. The smog inspection
protocol and emission repair procedure and/or requirements as outlined by the
State of California are taught in the emissions program training and
certification process.
Can the owner of
a Test Only Center own a Test and Repair Center?
It is
illegal for the owner of a Test Only Center to own a Test and Repair
Facility within 50 miles of each other. This is to dissuade customers
from having their vehicles repaired at a Test and Repair Facility owned by the
same owner of the Test Only Center where it failed. This also helps
protect the integrity of the program.
Do you perform smog
checks on Motorhomes or big trucks?
Yes. We
have plenty of room for Motorhomes and for big trucks. Please call ahead for
specific procedures on these vehicles.
Don't Forget your Smog Check Coupon.
Print a
Smog Coupon for your Smog Check Discount. No coupon, no discount.
For an official clarification of the role
of a Test Only Center, visit www.smogcheck.ca.gov. |
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