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STAR Smog Check in Garden Grove, CA
Garden Grove STAR Smog Check is a STAR-certified, test-only smog station at 13501 Magnolia St, near the Garden Grove Freeway. We inspect cars, trucks, SUVs and hybrids for renewals, sales and first California registrations. Open Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PM and Saturday 8 AM–4 PM; walk in or book online. Se habla español.
Magnolia Street is one of the main north–south roads through west Orange County, so you don't have to cross half the county for a state inspection. Our bay exists for smog inspections, and that's the whole job.
- 4.9★ · 115 Google reviews
- STAR certified
- BAR licensed station #314076
- Walk-ins welcome
What to bring
Bring the car and your DMV renewal notice. That notice is where the DMV tells you whether a smog certification is due and, if so, whether it has to be done at a STAR station. For a sale, a purchase, or a car arriving from another state, bring the DMV forms you've been given. If the notice is lost, a quick call to us will sort out what to bring.
How a visit goes
Check in
Walk-ins are welcome; online booking reserves a time.
Inspection
We log the vehicle in the state system and perform the inspection required for its model year — for most newer cars, a scan of the onboard diagnostic system and a check of the emissions components.
Report and explanation
We hand you the vehicle inspection report, which shows the results and whether the car passed, and explain what it says.
Find the current price on our coupon page.
Didn't pass? Here's the path
We can't promise any vehicle a pass; the inspection measures the car as it is that day. If it doesn't pass:
- Understand the result. We sit down with the report and explain each item that didn't pass.
- Pick your repair station. Emissions repairs are done at a test-and-repair or repair-only station of your choice. Find a licensed repair station with BAR's Auto Shop Locator.
- Return for the retest. Within 30 calendar days of the paid, failed inspection, the $30 smog retest is $21.75, plus the $8.25 state certificate if the car passes.
A practical note: a disconnected battery or freshly cleared codes resets the car's internal monitors. A stretch of everyday driving lets them finish before you return.
Makes we test
The state test is the same for every make. A sample of what we test, most of it straight from our recent job photos:
- Lexus
- Toyota
- Honda
- Subaru
- Volkswagen
- Acura
- Ford
- Nissan
- Land Rover
- Audi
- Mazda
- Jeep
- Mercedes-Benz
- Hyundai
- BMW
- Kia
- Bentley
- Chevrolet
- Dodge
- GMC
The complete brand list is on our vehicles we smog check page.
What drivers say
5 out of 5 stars
“Great service, smog inspection for my dmv registration was done so efficiently! Thank you so much”
5 out of 5 stars
“Very professional, helpful, pleasant and quick. Not much more you can ask for when getting a smog”
5 out of 5 stars
“This place was really great, fast and good service, I called and as soon as I showed up they helped me right away. I will definitely be coming back”
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference with a STAR station?
California's Bureau of Automotive Repair runs the STAR program and holds member stations to performance standards it monitors over time. If your DMV notice requires a STAR station, a station like ours has to do the inspection. Cars without that requirement can be tested here too.
What should I have with me?
The car and your DMV renewal notice. If ownership is changing or the car was registered in another state, bring the DMV forms as well.
How often does California require smog checks?
Biennially, in most cases — your renewal notice will flag the years it's due. If the car runs on gasoline and is eight model years old or newer, it's generally excused from that check while you pay a smog abatement fee. Expect a smog certification to come up as well when the car is sold or first registered in this state. The DMV notice for your vehicle settles the question.
What if my car fails the smog check?
We explain the report. Emissions repairs are done at a test-and-repair or repair-only station of your choice, listed on BAR's Auto Shop Locator. Come back within 30 calendar days and the $30 smog retest is $21.75, plus the $8.25 certificate if it passes.
Can you test hybrid and diesel vehicles?
Hybrids follow the gas-car smog schedule, and we test them regularly. Smog rules for diesels depend on the model year and weight rating. Call us before you come in and we'll confirm whether yours needs a check and whether we can test it here.
Do out-of-state cars need a California smog check?
Generally yes: a smog check is required to register a car in California for the first time. Battery-electric cars and motorcycles are exempt. For a newer model, call us to confirm what your vehicle needs.
Location and hours
Garden Grove STAR Smog Check
13501 Magnolia St, Garden Grove, CA 92844
(657) 206-2767
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
We test vehicles for drivers from Garden Grove, Westminster, Midway City, Stanton and Fountain Valley.
Schedule your smog check
Garden Grove STAR Smog Check · 13501 Magnolia St, Garden Grove, CA 92844 · BAR license #314076 · (657) 206-2767