AppointI am buying my first used car in California. Who pays for the smog check?
In a private sale the seller is responsible for providing a valid smog certificate, issued within the last 90 days, so the seller normally pays. Cars four model years old or newer are the exception: no certificate is needed and the buyer pays a smog transfer fee to the DMV. Dealers handle the smog check themselves. Ask for the certificate before you hand over any money, and look up the car's smog history by VIN on bar.ca.gov.
Key facts
- Private seller: provides the smog certificate, issued within the last 90 days.
- Cars four model years old or newer: no certificate, the buyer pays a smog transfer fee.
- Writing "as is" on the bill of sale does not remove the seller's duty to provide the certificate.
- You can check any California car's smog check history by VIN on bar.ca.gov.
A first-car checklist
- Smog certificate from the seller, issued within 90 days (unless the car is four model years old or newer).
- Smog history by VIN on bar.ca.gov: repeated failures are a warning sign.
- Check engine light off and not recently cleared: why a cleared light can hide a problem.
- Tires: check tread depth and the DOT date code (how to read it). Four new tires can cost several hundred dollars.
- Pre-purchase inspection at an independent mechanic you choose, not one the seller recommends.
- Title and transfer: the seller signs the title, and you transfer it at the DMV within 10 days.
Next step
Full guide: smog check when a car is soldFind a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection