the Price of a Smog Check

The service was for a smog test which you have to have every two years in the state of California if your car is older than a 1971 model. Basically, you bring your car in to the testing center, the guy looks under the hood, hooks up some tools, he then drives your car on some rotating metal cylinders, and tests the readings. He also puts some tube into the gas pipe for a smog reading. Also checks your gasoline lock, sometimes these things leak with age. So, you end up waiting around for 20 minutes to a half hour, and your stress level goes through the roof because if you fail, it can end up costing you over 250 bucks to get things repaired. Anyway, his computer is hooked up with the DMV's computer in Sacramento, and you wait around till it spits out the information: PASS or FAIL. When you pass the sheet reads as follows: Visual Inspection: PASS Functional Check: PASS Emissions Test: Pass There is also a paper attached called the ASM Emission Test Results. There's a bunch of decimals on there with the words PASS after each category. The actual payment for services is broken down as follows: Smog Inspection Fee: $42.00 Certificate: $8.24

The quality of the service is good. What is not good about the service is you have no idea what the tester's computer is spitting out. This only increases your stress. As far as value, I think the rate they charge is too expensive.

I would recommend calling around to different Smog Testing Centers in your area and give them the make and model of your car. You may find a better rate.