Smog inspections - what a hassle. It is a price we must pay in order to live in California. We all have to do them and it's not too bad if the vehicle passes, but what do you do if it fails? The simple answer would be: Fix the problem and have is re-smogged. This usually is not that simple or painless. Smog failures can be difficult to diagnose and expensive to repair. This is where the problems begin. Questions come up like: Who do I have fix it? How much is it going to cost? Is there any cost limit? Can I get a waiver? Is there any monetary assistance out there? Then there are the other problems like: I've spent gobs of money and it still won't pass. Boy I'm glad it passed but now it runs horrible. These people said it would fix it but it didn't. This is just the tip of the smog failure iceberg.

The first thing to do is find an honest, professional that will explain all the options available to you. There are usually several options for any smog dilemma. Then you need to find somebody who can tell you what needs to be done to fix your car. A word of advice on this: For tailpipe emission failures there is always more than one thing that can cause the readings. If someone looks at your test results and tells you what is causing it and how much you must pay to fix it - have them give you the winning lottery numbers because they are psychic! My suggestion is DON'T TRUST THEM! Nobody can tell you what your car really needs without actually checking it. There are just way too many things that can cause tailpipe failures. The proper thing would be to have diagnostic testing done on the car. Once proper diagnostic testing is done, then you should receive an itemized estimate of the needed repairs and what they will cost. Then it is up to you to approve the repairs and have the car fixed.

There are several types of smog inspection stations. They are put into two categories - one of them is "test only", and the other is "test and repair". As the name says, a "test only" station can only test or inspect and not repair. The other, "test and repair" category, is further broken down into: regular test and repair, and Gold Shield stations.

The regular "test and repair" can test and repair cars but cannot certify gross polluters or test only directed cars. They also do not have to guarantee your car will pass a smog inspection when they are done.

The "Gold Shield" stations can test and repair all cars and trucks, even "Test Only" directed vehicles. They guarantee the effectiveness of the repairs for 10 days or 1,000 miles. This means if you don't pass a test within this frame after they fixed your car, then they must fix whatever is wrong for free!

Gold Shield stations also participate in the CAP (Consumer Assistance Program). This is a program that is set up by the State of California to help consumers financially with smog related repairs on a vehicle that has failed it's biennial inspection. There are two options to this program. One of the options is to retire your vehicle. The state will pay you $1,000.00 to voluntarily retire your car. Of course your vehicle must qualify for this program by meeting all requirements. Call us at 661-949-8484 for more details. The other option is to receive up to $500.00 in financial assistance towards bringing your vehicle into smog compliance. There are two ways to qualify, providing your vehicle meets the criteria, for the $500.00 of assistance. One way is to be "Test Only" or "Gold Shield" directed. This automatically qualifies you for the program, providing your vehicle meets all the criteria. The other way is income eligible. If your income falls in the guidelines, and your vehicle meets all the criteria, then you will also be eligible for assistance. Being income eligible will lower the co-payment from $100.00 to $20.00. Of course there are other things like "Economic Hardship Extensions" and "Cost Exceedance Waivers" that are available to qualified individuals. Please feel free to call us for all the details at 661-949-8484.

As you can see, the "Gold Shield" station is the way to go. They are a "one stop test and repair all cars and trucks" shop.

Of course QH Automotive is a "Gold Shield" station.

Call us at 661-949-8484
You'll be glad you did!