Smog check / emissions inspection
A test of a vehicle's exhaust emissions, required in some states for registration or a change of ownership.
A smog check, or emissions inspection, tests whether a vehicle’s exhaust and emissions equipment meet state standards. Requirements depend on the state, county and vehicle age, and some states require one before a vehicle can change owners.
A car that fails smog may be costly to fix, and many owners choose to junk it instead. Whether a sale to a junkyard needs one depends on the state, so ask the buyer.
In California, a Smog Check is required before you sell a vehicle, and a buyer from a private seller needs one passed within the last 90 days. Gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles four model years old and newer are exempt for a change of ownership.1
References
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California Bureau of Automotive Repair, “Smog Check: When you need one and what’s required”, https://www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check ↩