Smog Testing in Santa Cruz
In the state of California, every two years your vehicle is required to have a smog test. Smog testing is one of the many auto repair and maintenance services the expert auto mechanics at Water Star Motors provide for motorists in Santa Cruz CA and surrounding communities. Residents here, including our customers and staff, value the air we breathe. Smog testing is more than the “green” thing to do; it’s the right thing to do too. We are your serene, green, auto repair team!
California vehicles must undergo a biennial smog inspection in order to renew their registration. Of note, if you’re a new resident to California, your vehicle is required to have an initial inspection to register, even if you have a current certificate from your previous state. The California Smog Inspection requires three separate inspections to be done in order: an emissions inspection (using an exhaust gas analyzer), followed by a visual inspection and then a functional inspection. Your vehicle must produce passing results in all three test sections to be certified.
At Water Star Motors, our ASE-Certified Automotive Technicians are properly trained, equipped, and California-licenced to perform smog checks on your vehicles and provide the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles electronically with a smog certificate when the vehicle passes. A pass means your automobile’s emission levels are below the required level. Should your vehicle fail during the testing, we can diagnose and make the necessary auto repair(s) to your vehicle so it will comply. After repairs, if the car’s readiness monitors set on our road test, we can then finish the smog process for you. If not, you may need to take your car through some “Drive Cycles” and return to pass your smog.
Convenient, competent and compliant, our smog checks are a great way for new customers to check out Water Star Motors. Smogs are an auto repair service our regular customers appreciate, as this 5-Star review shows:
“Went in for a smog check, they even did a complete inspection and offered maintenance recommendations. Our car passed smog testing and we were on our way. Friendly and professional staff, family owned and operated. I recommend this shop.” -- Scott E.
If your vehicle wasn’t “smogged” last year, it’s time now. We do smogs by appointment. Please give us a call at Water Star Motors, schedule an appointment online, or visit us at 318-A River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. We’re open Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 PM Let us help you keep clean the air we breathe.