Selling a car smog check

Most states require vehicle emissions testing every two years, but not every vehicle requires a smog check. In California, for example, whether or not a smog check is required depends on the type of vehicle, the model year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.

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Vehicles that are six or less model years old are not required to have the biennial smog check. Vehicles exempt from the emissions inspection program are those that are less than two years old, 26 model years old or older, registered with historic plates, or are electric-powered only. The best way to determine if your state, city or county requires a smog check is to go to your state DMV website.

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How to Sell a Car in California

Message optional. November 13, Buying Guides. Maintenance Guides. Once the analyst has reviewed the data that has come out of your vehicle's exhaust, they will make a diagnosis of your engine and whether your car needs work to reduce its emissions. Look for a certified smog tester in your area and visit more than one to make sure you are getting good service and a good price.

What Is A Smog Check?

The Bureau of Automotive Repair can be a helpful place to visit should the car you need to sell fail the smog inspection. Another important issue that affects car sellers in California is liability. By transferring the liability of the vehicle to the new owner, it is them that will be held accountable for making sure the car conforms to the smog regulations and other rules.

Don't make the mistake of ignoring this form, otherwise you will continue to be liable for the car. Everything from performance to parking tickets. Even though you no longer own the car. This release form can be downloaded from the website of the California DMV or you can file online directly from the website. Remember you must submit the form within five days of the sale of the car and it is the law to do so.

There is a lot to think about when you sell a car, and more-so in California because of the smog rules and the liability law.

But as long as you follow these rules and check in with the California DMV before you put your car up for sale, you can ensure factoring in the cost of any smog certifications when deciding on your asking price, as well as knowing no sale falls through at the last minute because these certifications were not met. The state DMV provides guidelines for selling cars that are more than four model years old with a California smog certificate.

The DMV states that the effective period for a smog certificate is 90 days. Beyond that, a smog certificate will not be effective for selling the car. The intention of this law is to provide for ensuring that cars sold to new owners have been recently inspected for emissions. Some exceptions to the day smog test rule exist for cars transferred between family members. The California Bureau of Automotive Repair does not do smog checks. This state agency assists drivers with information about where to go for smog checks.

Smog checks are done at specifically credentialed state stations. Some vehicle owners may need to visit a "Test-Only" station depending on the age and model of their vehicle.


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