gearhead141

OK, not really San Diego, but just north in Escondido. My '85 LG4 T/A was due for smog, so I brought it to the shop I have had doing it for many years. In the past, the test and certificate was $59. This year the cost jumped to $99. Not quite twice the price from before. Now granted, that was two years ago but I'm just wondering if many of you are finding the same rise in cost? The car passed with no problems. I was told that because of the age of the vehicle, the fact that it requires an evap test, and upgrades to the test software caused the increase. Now even in the past the car was subject to an evap test as well as visual inspection, so that story didn't hold water. Perhaps the testing software went up in price, but $40 per customer? This is making me think twice about keeping the car.

mikeceli

iTrader: (2)

My smog guy gives me the "Coupon" price, w/o the coupon, because I bring him a lot of vehicles. $70.00 (including cert)on a 1995 and older vehicle.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

If an extra $40 every 2 years makes you want to sell a car...

Additional testing (EVAP) is only $20 (totaling 75 or 80 if I can recall) at the place I usually go to. Sounds like your places is probably charging too much. Prices are not standardized, and some places want to make a bigger cut per test.

tealman92

80 is what I paid a few months back. Use to be 39.99 a few years back. Just another way to gouge use. Why do they charge for a certificate when it's sent digitally anyways. Stupid.

gearhead141

It is good news to hear that I am not alone in this smog scam. In my opinion, it is just another way California is trying to get older cars off the road. Does it make me think twice about keeping the car, you bet it does! What will it be the next time I go for a check? The car is just a hobby for me, not an obsession. In the end, it is just a car, one that brings me happiness to be sure. I also own a GM product that is a 2001 model. When I bring it in for a check, it is just codes and visual, and I'm out the door in half the time at half the price. It is definitely something to ponder.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

There's no scam.

With as many vehicles as CA has on the road, I do not mind emissions testing.

I do not miss LA looking like this...

LEFT 1980s / RIGHT 2015


They still need to do a better job with historical/classic vehicles, or show vehicles (i.e. under a certain mileage per year.)

gearhead141

Oh, I don't mind emissions testing either. I firmly believe that all cars should be in compliance. I just don't want to have to give an arm or a leg to take the test. Perhaps "scam" was not the proper word to convey my thoughts. The state is making the test more stringent, and in so doing, the shops that perform the test have to upgrade software and hardware. That cost is being passed on to us. I don't even daily drive the car; less than 10k miles per year are driven. I've been to a shop or two where they won't even test vehicles that are older than a certain year. I fear our cars are beginning to get to that point.

NoEmissions84TA

iTrader: (1)

In Connecticut, once the vehicle reaches 25 years old - no more testing - EXEMPT!