Why We Have Smog Test-Only Centers

Mr. Roadshow is a hero in my book!
http://mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ow/14798565.htm

Roadshow: Smog test-only centers are hassle, but sometimes worth the effort
By Gary Richards
Mercury News Staff Columnist

From the article:

"The [smog] tests are the same. Yet the hassle is worth it for some drivers. If you are sent to a test-only site and your car fails, the state will provide financial help for repairs. Everybody qualifies who is directed to a test-only center."

Pam, I had to edit your post down so we wouldn't violate copyright law by showing the entire article on our site.

But everybody should click on the link and read the article! I'd never thought about the issues it raises. I take my car to Accurate Smog Check in Campbell because the owners are nice, and it's close to my house.

I second the kudos on Accurate Smog Check. I just took my car to them last month... and this reminds me that I gotta find time to write that review for them.

I had to take mine to a Test Only center too. My car is old (a '93 bought in '92) but I'd be surprised if it's a gross polluter. It's a Honda Accord that is well maintained. I never miss an oil change and haven't had any major problems (knock on wood).

Here is another link from Mr. Roadshow. I'm not sure how long the public has access to old articles.

Click onhttp://smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdffacts/testonly-Aug_2003.pdf for more information.

it has been my experience that no matter where you take your car, you have a limit on how much you have to spend. On older cars it is around 400-500. I have never heard of the subsidies you are mentioning. Did you personally experience some relief. My last smog was going to cost $300 and I had no alternative.

your second link has a space in the text that needs to be eliminated.

BTW, the California website says "may"cover expenses. You have to apply. I will apply and report back. Here is the official clip:

How do I qualify for Repair Assistance?

Motorists may qualify for Repair Assistance in one of two ways:

*
Income Eligible – Motorists whose household incomes are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for up to $500 in repair assistance. Qualified consumers must pay the first $20 towards diagnosis and/or emissions-related repairs.
*
Test-Only Eligible – Certain vehicles are required to have their Smog Check inspections done at stations that perform only tests, and no repairs. If your vehicle’s DMV registration renewal notice requires a Test-Only inspection, your vehicle may qualify for up to $500 in repair assistance. Qualified consumers must pay the first $100 towards diagnosis and/or emissions-related repairs.

Another option if your car fails the smog test is to donate the car to charity if the cost of the repairs is just not going to be worth it to get the car in compliance.

I don't want to seem obstinant but I don't know anyone that drives a car worth less than $500 dollars. My truck needed $300 and it is worth at least $10,000 with the shell. It is always worth repairing it. BTW Donations only get you 30 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR tax relief if you are in that tax bracket. So even if your car is worth $500, you will only get $150 tax relief at the end of the year. Repair it, recycle, buy used. Just a opinion.

BTW the $300 is an estimate to repair so it can pass. I used to have a car that hit the max amount and the DMV would issue the smog certificate without any further repairs. It wasn't blowing smoke it just came back high for some measurement.

Hmm, $10 off of what price? Anyways, too late, already smogged. Must be the random selection, but it seems they just hit our family one by one the past couple of years.

Hondas don't have problems with passing a smog test. Though I wish I had taken better care of the car. It is still cheaper to just repair and keep going for insurance savings.

Well... isn't this interesting. The test-only part is supposed to be random, although older cars are targeted to a greater degree. If
it really was, I'd believe in it. But the last two times I've had to
go it's been a test-only center for my '93 Accord. I've passed with
flying colors both times, but why did I get it for my car a 2nd time?
Shouldn't I have been out of the lottery after the first time? Other
people wrote into Roadshow about the same thing happining to
them. And interestingly enough, it does seem the DMV finds '93
Accords suspicioius, some of my friends have been surprised with
the same thing for the same car, it just seems a bit disproportionate.
And it does suck that it's still like $60 for the test-only, although
with the SMOG-2 or whatever that machine is, the regular ones
have gone up a litlte lately, but it's argued that's temporary once
owners pay down the machine cost.

hey pam -- i drive a '93 accord too. =) and all my friends who i've talked to that drive older cars have to do the Test-Only thing. i guess it's a small price to pay since our registration and insurance are so cheap. but it does seem suspicious.

I drive 92 buick and 95 dodge. Regardless of what the registration says, I take my car to a SMOG repair place. They fix the problem and don't charge for the retest. I was denied any subsidy for my dodge. I am still working on getting it passed. $300 out of pocket so far. Buick and Jetta pass no problem. (Leaking head gasket).

Fyi you don't need to go to smog only, and if you have a good mechanic, why would you waste the time?

With the Japanese playing unfair in the auto market: avoiding taxes (60 minutes expose), resisting opening markets for cell phones and farm goods, why do you guys buy japanese. Your job is jeopardized by unfair market practices and you are supporting this behavior. Do you shop at Walmart too? (Subsidized by the California Taxpayer as reported from several news organizations and listed on Social Wave).

Lets all buy a honda/toyota.... Kiss middle america goodbye. Jettas are made in the USA. Is the prius? The lexus? The T100?

My parents bought my car in 1992 and I inherited it a few years later, so I didn't really have a say in it. But I have driven only Japanese sedans all my life and have to say they are the best for the value -- reliable and requiring minimal maintenance. American automakers are not doing well because they are not competitive. Toyota is doing phenomenal with sales of the Prius and others are losing out by not offering comparable hybrids.

They just announced a new Honda assembly plant in Indiana.http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5090778&nav=1sW7

Yes, I am well aware that I vote with my pocketbook when I make a purchase. No, I do not shop at Wal-mart nor do I support sweatshops like Nike. I think America's future is greatly jeopardized by the lack of good public education. In a society that values celebrities and CEOs more than teachers and firefighters, etc., you do the math.

Unfortunately, "American" cars are no longer truly American. They make them outside the USA. They are not as reliable as Japanese cars. Why would anybody buy these so-called American cars? Hondas and Toyotas are made in the USA. They hire Americans. They are building factories and cars in America. Meanwhile, the "American" companies are shuttering factories here and opening new ones outside the USA.

The tax issue is something separate. Companies are only doing what they are expected to do, find the best advantage wherever in the world (including tax-free or low-tax incentive nations and business/enterprise zones). This involves various trade offs. Wonder what the WTO's stand on this is? Is it considered an unfair government subsidy? Of course, so-called "developmental" countries are exempt from some rules.

Speaking of "protecting" the middle class, how many of you acquire music, movies, books, etc from a file sharing service that costs you nothing? Which is the greater evil? America is heavy into producing intellectual property which can be so easily stolen. Much more easily than a car per se. Which does more harm to the middle class?

My first used car was a 10 year old Dodge station wagon.

When it failed, I got a new used car. Best I could find was a 7- year old Honda Accord. Half the time I hate the car, but it's worth NOTHING if I sell it and I cannot afford another car at all, so I'm stuck with it. The distributor is the only part of the engine that has ever gone wrong, however, it's just the suspension, dashboard, etc. that have fallen apart.

However, if I was to buy a new car... if I was doing the car of my dreams, it'd be a Mini (BMW), and if I was realistically buying a car, it'd be the most fuel-efficient thing out there you can attach a bike rack to, so it'd probably be a Civic. GM's "let us pay your gas while you buy a Hummer" deal makes me sick.

My grandfather had a GM card and always had American cars... when he had to replace his station wagon, they didn't make any anymore, so he had to get a minivan. He was so frustrated with how poorly made it was, he finally dumped it. They got a Prius. (So proud of my grandparents, they are 80, not like they are going to benefit from the environmental action they took.)