Everything you've been wondering about smog checks — from the basics to the stuff nobody thinks to ask until they're standing at the counter.
Pricing varies by vehicle type and the specific test required. Call us at (805) 853-2168 for a quick quote over the phone, or stop by — we'll give you the exact price before we start any work. No surprises.
About 15 minutes for the actual test. With check-in and paperwork, plan for 20–25 minutes total. If there's no wait ahead of you — which is common on weekday mornings — you could be in and out in under 20 minutes.
No — walk-ins are always welcome. If you want to guarantee zero wait, book online. But our upper State Street location tends to have shorter wait times than downtown shops, so walk-ins usually work out fine.
Monday through Saturday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. We're open seven days a week — including Sundays, which a lot of smog-only shops aren't.
Same family ownership, same Jiffy Lube Multicare service standards, same quality. The only difference is location. We're at State and Calle Real on upper State Street — convenient for San Roque, La Cumbre, Samarkand, and the north side of town. The downtown shop is at 401 W Carrillo St, closer to the waterfront and Eastside. Pick whichever is easier for you.
Check your DMV renewal notice — it will state whether a smog certification is required. California requires a smog check every two years for most gasoline vehicles 1976 and newer, and for diesel vehicles 1998 and newer under 14,000 lbs gross weight. New vehicles are exempt for their first eight model years.
No. Fully electric vehicles are exempt from smog testing — they have no tailpipe emissions. Plug-in hybrids and standard hybrids still need testing since they have gasoline engines. This comes up a lot in Santa Barbara given how many EVs are on the road here.
Yes. Any vehicle being registered in California for the first time needs a California smog inspection, regardless of whether it passed testing in your previous state. California has its own emissions standards — generally stricter than other states. Bring the vehicle in and we'll get it tested.
Yes — the seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog certificate for private-party sales. The certificate must be dated within 90 days of the ownership transfer. Get it done before you list the car — it removes a potential complication from the sale and makes buyers more confident.
If it's a gasoline vehicle model year 1975 or older, yes — it's exempt from smog testing for registration renewal. However, if you're selling or transferring ownership, check with the DMV as requirements can differ for change-of-ownership transactions.
Your technician will explain the specific reason for the failure. Because we're a full Multicare service center — not a test-only station — we can usually diagnose the issue, complete the repair, and re-test your vehicle right here. Common failures include faulty oxygen sensors, catalytic converter issues, or incomplete readiness monitors.
Yes — an illuminated check engine light is an automatic failure, regardless of the underlying cause. The light could indicate something minor like a loose gas cap or something more significant like a catalytic converter issue. Either way, it needs to be diagnosed and resolved before the smog test can pass. We can diagnose and repair it here.
If we perform the repairs here and re-test within a specified window, the re-test inspection fee is typically waived. Ask your service advisor for the specific policy — it depends on the nature of the repair and the timeframe.
The most frequent causes are: a check engine light triggered by an oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, or evaporative emissions issue; a loose or damaged gas cap; and incomplete readiness monitors (often from a recently disconnected battery or cleared codes). Most of these are fixable the same day.
The Bureau of Automotive Repair runs a Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) that can help with repair costs if your vehicle fails its smog check. Income-eligible California residents may qualify for up to $1,200 in repair assistance, or up to $1,500 to retire a vehicle that can't be repaired. Visit bar.ca.gov for eligibility details.
Weekday mornings — especially Tuesday through Thursday — tend to be the least busy. Saturdays are our busiest day, and there's usually a small rush right when we open at 8am and again around lunchtime. Sunday mornings are also typically quiet.
3956 State Street, at the corner of State and Calle Real. If you're heading north on State Street, we're on the right side past La Cumbre Plaza. If you're coming from San Roque or upper State, we're just south of the Calle Real intersection. Plenty of lot parking — no street parking headaches.
We accept cash, all major credit cards, and debit cards.
Absolutely — that's one of the advantages of being a full Multicare facility. While you're here for your smog check, you can get an oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, battery test, or any of our other automotive services. Knock everything out in one trip.