First smog check? Or just want to know the process? Here's exactly what happens when you come to our Hollister Ave shop.
Your vehicle and a form of payment. If you have your DMV renewal notice, bring that too — it speeds up check-in. Otherwise, we'll look you up by license plate or VIN.
If your check engine light is on, your vehicle will automatically fail. Get it diagnosed and repaired first — we can help with that, too. Don't waste a trip.
Your vehicle should be warmed up before the test. If you're driving over from Isla Vista, UCSB, or anywhere along Hollister, the drive is plenty. If it's been sitting, take a 10-minute loop first.
Either works. Book online to guarantee a slot, or walk in anytime. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Saturdays are busier but we still move fast.
Pull into our lot on Hollister at Fairview. Our service advisor takes your vehicle info — year, make, model, plate, mileage. Booked online? We've already got you queued up.
A quick walk-around to verify your emissions components — catalytic converter, gas cap seal, exhaust system, visible hoses and connections. Making sure everything is present and properly connected.
For 1996+ vehicles, the technician plugs into the On-Board Diagnostics port under your dashboard. This reads your engine computer for trouble codes, checks emissions monitor readiness, and verifies the check engine light is functioning correctly.
About 10–15 minutes for the test. Your technician reviews results with you. If you pass, we file the smog certificate with the DMV electronically — same day. You can renew your registration online from home.
Pay, grab your receipt, drive away. Total time from pull-in to pull-out: usually under 25 minutes. Short enough to fit into a lunch break or between classes.
Most vehicles pass. But if yours doesn't, your technician explains exactly what failed and why — no jargon, no runaround.
Because we're a full Multicare facility, we can diagnose and repair most emissions issues right here on Hollister Ave. Common culprits include oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, gas cap seals, and incomplete readiness monitors. Many are same-day fixes.
After the repair, we re-test at no additional inspection fee. One shop, one visit — no bouncing between a test-only station and a separate mechanic.
An illuminated check engine light is an automatic fail regardless of the cause. Get it diagnosed before scheduling your smog. We handle diagnostics here if you need help.
If your car has been sitting (common for UCSB students who mostly bike or bus), drive it for a few days before testing. Your engine needs to complete its self-diagnostic cycles, and those only run while driving.
Come in a few weeks before your registration expires. If something unexpected comes up, you'll have time to fix it without stress or late fees.