Types of Smog Test Stations
You should note that a smog test is done by a station that is licensed by the relevant automotive organization. Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to take the vehicle to any of these types of smog check stations or centers.
Test-only Station
This type of station performs only the smog check test but does not carry out repairs. These stations may not meet the highest performance standards required. In most cases, they are non-STAR stations and are operated by technicians who are new or have no experience of performing smog tests. In fact, such stations are regarded to be undesirable.
Test and Repair Station
This is a type of station that carries out both smog checks and vehicle repairs. However, these stations suffer from conflicts of interest. For consumers, it may be fishy that a station that is in the business of repairing vehicles that do not pass emission tests is the one that does the test. This may because the station intentionally made the vehicle fail the test to make extra money on repairs.
Repair-only Station
Ideally, this is a station that does only repairs but does not perform the test. In fact, these stations do not perform smog checks, and they are not authorized to do so.
STAR station
Ideally, star smog station meets the highest performance standards set out by the relevant authority. In fact, some of the stations fall into the category of test-only stations, whereas others are test and repair. The technicians working in these stations have superior knowledge, skills, advanced testing procedures, and excellent customer service.
As you know, until you can provide a smog check certificate, the registration of your car cannot be renewed. Also, if the vehicle fails the smog check, you will be required to carry out the required repairs and then take a retest to complete the registration. However, if the costs of repairing the vehicle outweigh the value, the government may purchase it as scrap.
Smog checks are quite important. Nowadays, some vehicle owners modify the exhaust systems of their cars and even remove catalytic converter for performance gains. Although cars yield high performance, they increase pollution. Therefore, smog checks on all cars, whether they are new or used is necessary. There is a need to ensure the best equipment and skilled professionals accurately test the vehicle.