Registration renewal, vehicle sale, new to California — whatever brings you in, we handle every type of smog inspection at our downtown Carrillo Street location.
California requires different smog checks depending on your situation. Here's what we offer and when you'll need each one.
This is what most Santa Barbara drivers come in for — the standard smog inspection required every two years as part of your vehicle registration renewal. The DMV sends a notice when it's your turn, and you need a passing smog certificate before you can renew.
For vehicles model year 1976 and newer that aren't otherwise exempt, this is a routine part of owning a car in California. The test itself takes about 15 minutes, and we file your certificate electronically with the DMV the same day.
Your smog certificate is valid for 90 days. If your registration renewal is coming up, get the smog check done early so you can renew online from home without any last-minute stress.
Selling your car in Santa Barbara? California law requires the seller to provide a valid smog certificate to the buyer at the time of sale. The certificate is good for 90 days, so you can get it done ahead of listing the vehicle.
Santa Barbara's used car market is active — between students at UCSB and SBCC, young professionals, and families — and buyers appreciate sellers who've already taken care of the smog. It signals that the car's been maintained and removes a hurdle from the transaction.
Get the smog done before your first showing. It makes the sale smoother, gives the buyer confidence, and lets you close the deal faster. We're right downtown — swing by on your way to photograph the car for your listing.
Just relocated to Santa Barbara? You're in good company — people move here from all over the country. But before the DMV will register your vehicle with California plates, you'll need a California smog check.
California's emissions standards are stricter than most states. If you're coming from Arizona, Texas, or anywhere without California-level requirements, your vehicle may need some adjustments. If it doesn't pass on the first try, we're a full-service Multicare facility — we can diagnose and fix the issue right here on Carrillo Street.
You have 20 days from establishing California residency to register your vehicle. Between finding a new place, settling in, and learning the one-way streets downtown, those 20 days go fast. Come see us early so there's time to handle any issues.
Registering a vehicle in California for the first time — private purchase, gift, inheritance, or import — requires a smog inspection before the DMV will process the paperwork, regardless of the vehicle's previous registration history.
Diesel vehicles have distinct testing requirements, including opacity measurements for particulate emissions. Our downtown Santa Barbara technicians are trained and equipped for diesel inspections — bring your truck, van, or diesel car right in.
If a previous inspection flagged your vehicle as a gross polluter, you'll need repairs followed by a re-inspection before the DMV will process your registration. We handle both the repair work and the certification re-test.
Unlike test-only smog stations, our Carrillo Street location is a complete Jiffy Lube Multicare facility. If your vehicle needs work — smog-related or not — we can handle it without sending you somewhere else.
Check engine light keeping you up at night? We'll read the codes, identify the root cause, and give you a clear explanation of what's going on. In many cases, the same issue triggering the light is what would cause a smog failure — fix one and you fix both.
Catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, EGR valves, EVAP system leaks — if your vehicle failed its smog inspection, we can pinpoint the problem and fix it. Then we re-test right here to confirm the repair worked before you drive away.
Oil changes, brake service, tire rotation, fluid exchanges, spark plugs — keeping up with regular maintenance is the best way to avoid smog check surprises. And with our downtown location, it's easy to fit into your routine.
Santa Barbara's coastal geography — the narrow plain between the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains — creates a natural basin that can trap air pollutants close to the ground. On still days, especially during summer inversions, vehicle emissions have a measurable impact on local air quality.
This isn't abstract. It affects the air you breathe walking down State Street, hiking in the foothills, or sitting on East Beach with your family. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District has worked for decades to maintain the clean air this city is known for, and vehicle emissions testing is a key part of that effort.
When you pass your smog check, you're not just checking a box for the DMV. You're helping keep Santa Barbara the way everyone — residents and visitors alike — expects it to be.
