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Can I Get a Smog Test Before it's Required For Registration?

Not sure if in right area but have question. I am in process of buying a truck but I want to be sure that it will pass the smog test before I do. Can a STAR smog station run a smog test on the car before it is due for a smog test for registration (like before the DMV asks for one) so I can be sure I will not run into a problem after I buy it? Thanks.
Answer:

Yes, a STAR smog station (or any licensed California smog test center) can perform what's referred to as a smog check pre-test. Advise the smog station you visit that the purpose of the inspection is to make sure you will not run into problems after buying the vehicle, as well as to simply find out if the vehicle can even pass the smog check. Here's what you should know about smog inspection pretests... The vehicle's smog inspection results will be sent to the Bureau of Automotive Repairs data center even during the pre-test, however the results of the inspection will not be held against the vehicle owner should the vehicle fail the inspection as a gross polluter. Also, you may always ask a smog station to conduct a smog inspection using the smog machine in "offline" mode, and simply as a scan tool and/or exhaust emission analyzer. posted by SmogTips Support

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