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Smog Retest in Carlsbad, CA
Our $30 smog retest is for a car that failed its paid inspection at our STAR-certified station on Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad: one discounted retest for the same vehicle within 30 days. The retest is $21.75, plus the $8.25 state certificate if the car passes. Bring it back after the repair; walk in, book online or call (760) 814-2021.

$30 smog retest. One discounted retest for the same vehicle at the same station within 30 calendar days of the original paid, failed inspection. The retest is $21.75; if the vehicle passes, the $8.25 state certificate brings the total to $30. If it fails again, the retest is $21.75. A completed inspection that fails because readiness monitors are not ready counts as the retest. An inspection we abort costs nothing and does not use the retest; the 30-day window still applies. Additional retests and returns after 30 days are charged at posted regular prices. Repairs are not included.
Bring the car back once the problem has been repaired and its self-tests have had time to run. If we did the repair in our own bays, the original smog check fee has already been credited toward that repair.
- STAR certified
- BAR-licensed station #311178
- ASE-certified technicians
- Written estimate before any work
- Walk-ins welcome
What to bring
- The car, after the repair is finished.
- The vehicle inspection report from the test it didn't pass. It tells us what to look at first.
- Repair paperwork, if the work was done at another shop.
- Your DMV renewal notice or the documents DMV sent you, so we know whether the retest has to happen at a STAR station. (It can happen here either way; we are STAR certified.)
How it works
Check in
Walk in or book online. We pull up the earlier result.
Estimate first
You see the retest price on a written estimate and approve it before we start.
Readiness check
If the battery was disconnected or trouble codes were cleared during the repair, the car's readiness monitors may not be finished yet. In that case we'll tell you, and the fix is a week or two of normal driving before the retest.
The retest
We run the inspection the state program calls for on your model year.
Your report
You leave with the new vehicle inspection report.
If the retest doesn't pass either
It happens. Sometimes a car has more than one fault, and the second one only shows up after the first is fixed. We go over the new report with you and, because we're a full repair shop, we can diagnose what is still wrong and put the next step on a written estimate. Nothing gets repaired without your approval.
If your car fails and we do the repair here, the smog check fee is credited toward the repair. Some emissions repairs may be covered by your manufacturer's warranty. Check your owner's manual.

Makes we smog test
Every brand gets the same state test. Makes we smog test include:
- Toyota
- Honda
- Ford
- Nissan
- Lexus
- Mazda
- Jeep
- Chevrolet
- BMW
- Subaru
- Mercedes-Benz
- Hyundai
- Volkswagen
- Kia
- Audi
- Acura
- GMC
- Dodge
- MINI
- Porsche
- Land Rover
- Infiniti
- Volvo
- Cadillac
- Chrysler
- Scion
- Lincoln
- Fiat
- Mitsubishi
- Ram
- Buick
- Maserati
- Jaguar
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Genesis
- Bentley
- Hummer
- Lamborghini
- Geely
Driving something rarer? Call (760) 814-2021 and ask before you come.
From our Google reviews
5 out of 5 stars
“Wow! Incredible customer service! Called, walked in and car was taken in for smog check quickly. Easy and smooth process. I'll definitely be back! Thank you!”
5 out of 5 stars
“They were courteous and professional. It was a breeze to get the smog check done.”
Frequently asked questions
How much is a smog retest?
$21.75 for one retest of the same vehicle within 30 days of a paid, failed inspection here, plus the $8.25 state certificate if it passes ($30 total). If it fails again, the retest is $21.75. Full terms are at the top of this page. The price for a first smog check is on our coupon page.
My car failed at another station. Can I retest here?
Yes, we can test it, but the $30 smog retest only covers cars that failed a paid inspection at our station, so a car that failed elsewhere is tested at our regular posted price. Bring the vehicle inspection report and any repair paperwork, or call (760) 814-2021 to talk it through first.
Do I have to retest at a STAR station?
Only if your DMV renewal notice says so. We are STAR certified, so we can do the retest either way.
Why did you say my car isn't ready for the retest yet?
Disconnecting or replacing the battery, or clearing trouble codes, resets the car's readiness monitors. Drive normally for a week or two so they can finish, then come back.
Is the smog check fee credited if you repair the car?
If your car fails and we do the repair here, the smog check fee is credited toward the repair.
Hours and directions
| 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 | 9 AM–4 PM |
Carlsbad Auto Repair & Smog
2509 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 814-2021
Carlsbad Auto Repair & Smog · 2509 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011 · BAR license #311178 · (760) 814-2021
Holiday hours follow our Google Business Profile. Waiting room with Wi-Fi. Se habla español. At the counter we accept cash, major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Drivers return for retests from Poinsettia, Calavera Hills, San Marcos and Encinitas.
Book your retest
Bring the car and the last inspection report. For the full smog check and repair picture, see our Smog Check & Smog Repair page.