Mon-Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm • Sat 8am – 12pm • Sun Closed
731 Pacific Coast Hwy, Harbor City, CA 90710
(310) 513-0618
Smog Check Prep in Harbor City by 4.8-Star Rated Mechanics
- AAA Approved
- 2-Year / 24K Mile Warranty
- ASE Certified Mechanics
SMOG CHECK
Before and After Your Smog Check, We Have You Covered
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At Blu Automotive Repair & Maintenance, we get your car ready for its smog check. Our ASE certified mechanics look for the faults that cause a failed test, like a check engine light or readiness monitors that are not set, and fix them before you go. If your car already failed, we find the real cause and fix it for the retest.
We are not a licensed smog testing station, so the test itself is done at a smog check station. We take care of everything before and after it.
At Blu Automotive Repair & Maintenance, we get your car ready for its smog check. Our ASE certified mechanics look for the faults that cause a failed test, like a check engine light or readiness monitors that are not set, and fix them before you go. If your car already failed, we find the real cause and fix it for the retest.
We are not a licensed smog testing station, so the test itself is done at a smog check station. We take care of everything before and after it.
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SERVING HARBOR CITY SINCE 1997
What Our Customers Are Saying
VET FRIENDLY! Marvin provided outstanding CSR and Louis fixed my car issue in a very timely manner. A+ job. And they also gave me a nice discount for having served in the military.
Peter Effy
Satisfied Customer
I dealt with many automotive mechanics some down right honest and some are not. I brought my BMW X5 at Blu Automotive Brian was very pleasant explaining what was wrong with my dashboard notification […]
Jessie Tuibeo
Satisfied Customer
👍🏼👌🏼👍🏽👌👍🏾👌🏼🫶🏻 Got an ad for a Maintenance Service for $59.99. Needed to take my car into the shop and was thinking about taking it to the dealership. My instrument cluster was going off/on. Had them check that out […]
E. Morgan
Satisfied Customer
If Google gives me more than 5 stars I will give this place a thousand stars , they are friendly, kind, and professional. David, Luis, and Brian … Thank you all for your help you guys are the best.
Shant Kerestedjian
Satisfied Customer
Great experience and extremely polite and happy customer service. Marvin was great. He was helpful with ordering parts and took care of my vehicle Definitely returning for any vehicle needs or updates.
Faviola Nino
Satisfied Customer
Solid work and affordable pricing for all your car needs. Great customer service too! Thanks!
Mark Esposito
Satisfied Customer
OUR GALLERY
Blu Automotive Repair
WHY CARS FAIL A SMOG CHECK
We Find the Real Cause, Not Just the Code
The code tells you where a symptom showed up. It rarely tells you what caused it. That is why we read live engine data instead of only pulling the code, so you are not paying to replace a part that was never the problem.
- Check engine lights, the most common cause of a failed test
- Oxygen sensors
- Catalytic converters
- EVAP and vacuum leaks
- Misfires, spark plugs and ignition coils
- Mass airflow and fuel system faults
- Readiness monitors that are not set
You get a written estimate with photos before we start, so you know what you are paying for.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
Why Choose Us
Six reasons Harbor City drivers bring their cars to Blu before and after a smog check.
In Business Since 1997
Serving Harbor City, Lomita, Torrance, San Pedro and Wilmington for 29 years.
Toyota, Honda & Lexus Specialists
We know the common emissions faults on Toyota, Lexus and Honda models.
2 Years / 24K Mile Guarantee
Every repair is covered for 2 years or 24,000 miles.
Certified Mechanics
ASE certified technicians who read live engine data, not just the code.
AAA Approved
An AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility. AAA inspects the shop and checks customer satisfaction before approving it.
Flexible Payment Plans
Payment plans are available on larger jobs, so you can spread the cost of a bigger repair.
TOYOTA, HONDA & LEXUS EMISSIONS
Smog Check Prep for Toyota, Honda, and Lexus
We specialize in Japanese emissions systems. Toyota, Honda and Lexus each have known patterns of failure, and knowing them saves diagnostic time.
Older Priuses and Camrys often fail on downstream oxygen sensors. Hondas of a certain age are known for catalytic converter codes that turn out to be sensor faults. Knowing the difference is what stops you paying for a converter you did not need.
SMOG CHECK COST & TIME INFORMATION
Smog Check Cost, Repair Cost, and Timing
Check engine light diagnosis starts at $175. Repair costs depend on what we find. An oxygen sensor is a small job. A catalytic converter is not. You get the figure in writing first, and we will tell you if a repair is not worth doing.
Many repairs are done the same day. Some take two to five days, depending on parts.
The test itself is a separate cost, and California smog check prices vary by station.
CALIFORNIA REPAIR ASSISTANCE
The Consumer Assistance Program and Repair Cost Waiver
California has two programs if your car fails.
The Consumer Assistance Program pays up to $1,200 toward repairs for income-qualified drivers. That work must be done at a STAR station, and we are not STAR certified.
The Repair Cost Waiver is different. Spend $650 on emissions repairs at a licensed shop and still fail, and you may qualify. We are a licensed Automotive Repair Dealer, so our invoices count. Keep them.
Apply for both at bar.ca.gov.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Question
Do you perform smog checks?
No. We are not a licensed smog inspection station, so the test and the certificate come from a smog check station. We help before and after it: we find and fix the faults that would make your car fail, and if it already failed, we repair it for the retest. We do not service diesel or older-model vehicles.
My car failed the smog check. What should I do now?
If your car failed the smog check, keep the failure report and bring it to a repair shop. The report names the exact reason for the failure, which saves diagnostic time and money. Do not clear the code yourself. That resets the monitors, and the vehicle cannot be tested again until you have driven it enough for them to reset.
Why does a check engine light cause an automatic fail?
A check engine light causes an automatic smog check failure in California because the light means the onboard computer has already detected an emissions fault. The tester does not need to look any further. This is why the light has to be diagnosed and repaired before booking a retest is worth your time.
How much does it cost to fix a failed smog check?
Fixing a failed smog check starts with the $175 diagnosis, then depend on what we find. An oxygen sensor is a modest job. A catalytic converter is one of the more expensive repairs on a car. You get a written estimate with photographs before anything is approved, and we will tell you if a repair is not worth doing.
How long does it take to fix a failed smog check?
Many smog-related repairs are done in one day, and others take two to five days. It depends on what the diagnosis turns up, how quickly parts arrive, and how much work is needed. We accept appointments and walk-ins.
Can you guarantee my car will pass the retest?
We cannot guarantee a pass, because we are not the ones testing the vehicle. What we can do is repair every fault the report lists and confirm the readiness monitors are set before you go back. That puts the car in the best possible position to pass.
How often do I need a smog check in California?
Most gasoline and hybrid vehicles need a smog check every two years when you renew the registration. Vehicles eight model years old or newer are exempt from the renewal check. A smog check is also required when a vehicle more than four model years old changes ownership, and when a car from another state is registered in California for the first time.
Which vehicles do you not service?
We do not service diesel vehicles or older-model vehicles. If you are unsure whether yours qualifies, call (310) 513-0618 with the year and model and we will tell you right away.
Get Your Car Smog Check Ready Today
Bring your car in before the test, or bring the failure report if it already failed. You get a written estimate with photos before any work begins. Schedule an appointment or call us.