smog question?

[rps13_fastback]

Ok guys I have a 1997 Civic HX (most fuel efficient Civic of that year) for my daily driver. I just purchased it, and I went to get it smogged at this shady looking gas station. My friend went there before to get his g20 smogged, and it was dirty cheap, so I decided to go there also.

Anyway, when my friend smogged his g20, it cost him $49.95 + $8.95 certificate even though on the wall it was posted that it's $69.95. Everything worked out fine, it passed and everything.

Ok so when I go there, they tell me it's $59.95 + cert. I'm like "you guys charged my friend $49.95 last time." And they said "it's $59.95 take it or leave it." So I'm like, whatever, only $10. They say it's gonna take 2 hours (they were busier that day than the 1st time, which only took 20 minutes) so I leave them the keys and leave with my friend (same guy with the g20). 30 minutes later, I get a call from them and they tell me that my car is a test only. I'm think wtf? in my head, but they tell me they can bring it to a shop they know nearby to get it done for $20 more. I authorize it over the phone. So an hour later they call me when it's done. I go to pick it up and I want them to prove to me that it's a test only. They say that there's no way of showing it. So I'm thinking, how did they find out it's a test only in the 1st place then? They must've 'looked it up' on their computer or whatever. So after arguing and trying to get them to prove it or lower the price they won't budge so I decide to quit and just give them what they want.

Anyway, my question is, is it possible to look up a VIN # on the smog computer and see if it's a test only or not?

Also, I forgot exactly, but I believe there are 3 ways to get a test only. One is that if your car is likely to be a gross polluter (not in my case, my car is a ULEV). Or two 13% or something random draw (is this right?) and forgot the third way. Can anyone correct/confirm this?

I'm just pissed off if they jerked me over $20.. damn shady gas station. Plus I'm a poor college student with no money, so every little bit helps. Thanks for listening,

[Ritz S14]

ok first of all. It is ILLEGAL to sublet smog, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Test Only.

It's easy verifiable through your VIR(Vehicle Inspection Report). It should say "Certification Type" and it'll say "HEP" right next to it. High Emitter Profile(HEP) means Test Only. Or if it says 2.3% random, then it still means Test Only. Or if it's a regular smog it'll say "Biennal" which mean every other year.

But $59 for a REGULAR non TEST ONLY is expensive. Should have brought it to me, since I do both types of smogs anyways.

Yeah. Test only is GP/Random/HEP..sometimes change of owner and out of state vehicles as well.

HEP are cars that are likely known to fail. Accord to the state, that's just about all cars 8 years and older.

[breakindrifts]

You can check if its a smog only yourself, it says right there on the DMV registration paperwork TEST ONLY.

Your cars smog history: http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/vehtests/pubtstqry.aspx

Over here $59 is a little expensive for a check, the usual rate is like 50 for everything.

Next time don't bring your car to a shady shop, unless you are afraid the car won't pass and you need the guy to tweak with it until it does.

[mrmephistopheles]

$59 is crazy stupid for a regular smog. I once paid a total of $25 for smog (with cert, non test-only).
Just a few years ago.
Most I ever paid was $49 for a test-only.

[Jcb890]

wow, california sucks balls. fuck that shit man.

[drift freaq]

$59 is crazy stupid for a regular smog. I once paid a total of $25 for smog (with cert, non test-only).
Just a few years ago.
Most I ever paid was $49 for a test-only.
Smog test prices have gone up Kev, since you have been over in the land of the rising sun.
Now I do admit $59.95 is way top dollar for a non test only. average around here is now $40-50 with certificate. Remember the quoted price you see on signs is without certificate.
Test onlys are usually $60 they used to be $50 you can still find a few places that might do a test only for $50.
JCB, before you going saying California sucks balls, we pay for your clean air. It because of California the country has clean air standards.

[ThatGuy]

Good info Drift Freaq. Don't even bother responding to Jcb890, he's just looking for attention by being an ass. Poor kid.

[nistech]

at my shop we charge 49.75 plus cert and we are one of the expensivest shops around but i havent seen a 89 dollars for smog check on car maybe on a motorhome or something but everything ritz said is so true subletting smog is illigal give them a call tell them that if they dont give u ur money back u are gonna call the state and report them in.

[Jcb890]

i'm not talking about the regulations. the regulations are fine. the prices are just fucking ridiculous though. and no i'm not looking for attention.

[Phlip]

rps13_fastback, I removed the little slur from your initial post, please refrain from the use of them on this forum, people have been pinked and you would be no exception

[YakuzaS14]

i'm not talking about the regulations. the regulations are fine. the prices are just fucking ridiculous though. and no i'm not looking for attention.



60 bucks for a smog test at a test only isnt that much