Getting rejected by smog stations.

[AmosCake]

My uncle and I are trying to get a smog test but even before doing the tests, we're getting rejected by multiple stations. Any ideas as to why? We're from LA.

[E30335i]

Probably not willing to smog the car itself. Nothing wrong on your end, they are probably not maintaining their equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[McGyver]

Did they tell you why they rejected you? Is your car obviously modified and therefore illegal? Are you taking it to places with rolling dynameters?

[efficient]

they are just lazy and don't want to do it anymore. happened to me, i went to a few and none of them want to even try unless i took it to there family test and repair smog. i said , trying to take money from me. i found one here in Altadena on fair oaks/woodbury at the arco gas station. the guy charged like 80. also found another in downey, i asked if he smogged old cars and he said yes as he had a few e30s lined up on the side of the shop. if you google genes muffler shop in downey its right next to it , there are a few shops in the cul-de-sac but only 1 smog shop in there.
7924B Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241 16 min smog.
also found another on gage/central but found out they closed down. hope that helps. id call first if you decide to go to any of those.

[reelizmpro]

Look at it from their perspective. Newer cars don't need to be put on the dyno, they just scan for codes. Much easier than smogging older high risk cars and the likelihood your old car may not pass is a waste of time for them. Their old equipment may not be maintained either which costs money. Keep looking, there are plenty of smog shops in LA/OC.

[Gregs///M]

I feel your pain. My E30 325is is cammed with a supersprint exhaust and Dinan chip. I have taken it to smog here in Norcal and had stations turn me away because "listen to it, it will never pass smog." Of course, after finding someone to test it, it passed with ease. Its worth noting my car is almost completely rebuilt with zero vacuum leaks, everything is new, etc. Keep asking around, im sure you will find someone.

[Vincenze]

Try Pico Smog Check https://www.yelp.com/biz/pico-smog-los-angeles-3

[AmosCake]

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll definitely keep looking. Ill also call the places you guys referenced as a last resort since they're pretty far from my location.

[AmosCake]

Look at it from their perspective. Newer cars don't need to be put on the dyno, they just scan for codes. Much easier than smogging older high risk cars and the likelihood your old car may not pass is a waste of time for them. Their old equipment may not be maintained either which costs money. Keep looking, there are plenty of smog shops in LA/OC.

Yeah I can see why they wouldn't. It was never an issue before so it caught me off guard.

[AmosCake]

they are just lazy and don't want to do it anymore. happened to me, i went to a few and none of them want to even try unless i took it to there family test and repair smog. i said , trying to take money from me. i found one here in Altadena on fair oaks/woodbury at the arco gas station. the guy charged like 80. also found another in downey, i asked if he smogged old cars and he said yes as he had a few e30s lined up on the side of the shop. if you google genes muffler shop in downey its right next to it , there are a few shops in the cul-de-sac but only 1 smog shop in there.
7924B Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241 16 min smog.
also found another on gage/central but found out they closed down. hope that helps. id call first if you decide to go to any of those.

Thank you! I'll check these out for sure if I cant find one closer to me.

[Balleristic31]

I’ve had similar issues recently in LA as well. Absolutely frustrating to have a smog be required to legally drive your vehicle in CA but also be able to be turned away by smog shops...

[MR 325]

I've seen the same too. It's purely laziness.

Find someone who cares. Ask for a pretest to be sure you don't fail, most guys will do it for a fee.

Our neighbor at the shop does our Classic BMW smogs and always pretests. Cost is $100-$120 but worth it.

[roguetoaster]

You CA guys have hope, as other states have had more issues with/less need for roller tests the testinf process for older vehicles has been simplified. Maybe a change in rules is coming, but you should write your elected reps to let them know of the issue.

[MoreMayhem]

Cost is $100-$120 but worth it.

Dang that seems like a lot of money. I’m becoming that old man I guess who complains about the cost of everything! I’ve been going to the same test-only shop in Moorpark for probably 10 years. He’s raised his prices over that time, but my last visit was $70.00. Americar is the name of the shop, run by a guy named Moussavi. Never asked him about a pre test, and don’t expect it would be free but I’m sure he’d do them. Completely unrelated, but he has a second gig building and selling motorized bicycles.

[mariano_is_my_hero]

no one wants to smog pre od2 cars anymore. you can bring them a normal 96+ car and in 15min its done and everyone is happy. i have smog shops that are e30 friendly around LA if you need