Posted on 4/28/2025
Failing a smog check can be frustrating—especially when your vehicle seems to be running just fine. But don't worry, a failed test doesn't mean you're stuck. In most cases, you can have the problem repaired and your vehicle retested, often without much delay. The key is knowing what caused the failure and how to fix it the right way. If your car didn’t pass inspection, here’s what you should do next. Understanding Why Your Vehicle Failed When your car doesn’t pass a smog check, it’s usually due to high emissions, incomplete system readiness, or a malfunction indicated by the check engine light. In California, even minor issues—like a loose gas cap or faulty sensor—can trigger a failure. Your test results should include a report showing what part of the system didn’t meet standards. This might point to an issue with your catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, evaporative emissions system, or another component ... read more