Who pays for the Smog Check?
In private party transactions, the seller must provide the buyer with a proof of smog certification prior to the transfer of ownership. If the vehicle is purchased from a dealer, the passing Vehicle Inspection Report should be provided as part of the transfer documents. It is evidence that the vehicle meets state requirements for smog equipment. A vehicle that has not been issued a smog certification cannot be registered. What if a waiver was issued? The repair cost waiver allows a vehicle needing a biennial inspection to be registered without passing its Smog Check inspection, as long as the vehicle owner first makes some emissions-related repairs to the vehicle at a licensed repair station. Repair cost waivers cannot be issued on change-of-ownership transactions. What about missing parts? A Limited Parts Exemption may be issued if an emission control part was not available at the time of inspection. Although a limited parts exemption may be issued on a change-of-ownership smog inspec
