States
California
San Diego

Emissions Testing in San Diego, California

Find 78 licensed smog check stations in San Diego. Browse test-only centers, STAR-certified locations, and shops offering registration renewal inspections. Requirements in California vary by vehicle type and model year.

78 stations
San Diego, CA
View California requirements
BA

Boulevard Automotive

4.6 · 182 reviews
Auto repair shop · 737 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109

Boulevard Automotive offers smog check and vehicle inspection in San Diego, California. View hours and details.

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AS

Auto Smog

4.6 · 49 reviews
Smog inspection station · 5780 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121

Auto Smog provides smog check and vehicle inspection services in San Diego, California. View hours and details.

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
UC

University City Service Center

4.6 · 240 reviews
Auto repair shop · 3901 Governor Dr, San Diego, CA 92122

University City Service Center offers reliable smog check and vehicle inspection services in San Diego, California. View...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
DS

DVM Smog Check Test Only

4.6 · 136 reviews
Smog inspection station · 6140 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120

DVM Smog Check Test Only offers emissions testing and smog check services in San Diego, California. View hours and detai...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
WM

West Miramar Automotive & Transmission

4.6 · 350 reviews
Auto repair shop · 5726 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121

West Miramar Automotive & Transmission offers smog check and vehicle inspection in San Diego, California. View hours and...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
OB

O B Smog Test Only

4.6 · 88 reviews
Smog inspection station · 4694 Voltaire St B, San Diego, CA 92107

O B Smog Test Only offers emissions testing, vehicle inspection, and smog check services in San Diego, California. View...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
ST

Smog Test Only

4.6 · 124 reviews
Smog inspection station · 8242 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126

Smog Test Only offers emissions testing and smog check services in San Diego, California. View hours and details for veh...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AA

Aero Auto Repair

4.5 · 1,135 reviews
Auto repair shop · 9756 Aero Dr, San Diego, CA 92123

Aero Auto Repair offers emissions testing, smog check, and vehicle inspection in San Diego, California. View hours and d...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AS

ASAP Smog Test & Repair (STAR Certified)

4.5 · 131 reviews
Smog inspection station · 1776 Palm Ave, San Diego, CA 92154

ASAP Smog Test & Repair offers emissions testing and smog check services in San Diego, California. View hours and detail...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
BS

Ball Smog Check Test Only

4.5 · 38 reviews
Smog inspection station · 3893 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

Ball Smog Check Test Only offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection services for smog check in San Diego, Californ...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
SC

Smog Check Pros

4.5 · 95 reviews
Smog inspection station · 1550 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

Smog Check Pros provides emissions testing and vehicle inspection in San Diego, California. View hours and details for s...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
SS

SD Smog & Auto Repair

4.5 · 24 reviews
Smog inspection station · 4185 College Ave STE A, San Diego, CA 92115

SD Smog & Auto Repair offers emissions testing and smog check services in San Diego, California. View hours and details...

smog check Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis

City Guide

Emissions Testing in San Diego, California

Finding a reliable place for emissions testing or a smog check in San Diego is easier than ever. Our directory lists 78 licensed and verified emissions testing stations in the city, including STAR-certified and test-only centers where required. Whether you're renewing your registration or completing an out-of-state transfer, this page helps you quickly locate nearby inspection facilities and understand what applies in California.

Do Vehicles in San Diego Need an Emissions Test?

Most drivers in San Diego follow the same rules set by California. Requirements vary based on vehicle age, fuel type, and county. If you're unsure whether your ZIP code or vehicle model year requires a test, use this directory to browse local stations or review our state-specific testing requirements.

Types of Smog Check Services Available

  • Standard emissions tests for gasoline vehicles
  • OBD-II inspections for 1996+ model years
  • Tailpipe testing for older vehicles where required
  • Diesel emissions testing
  • Hybrid and electric vehicle smog checks
  • Registration renewal support
  • Test-only or STAR-certified inspections (state dependent)

Each listing includes the station's address, contact information, operating hours, and service notes to help you choose the right location.

Smog Check Tips for San Diego Drivers

Before heading to a testing center in San Diego, make sure:

  • Your check engine light is off
  • Your vehicle has completed recent drive cycles
  • The gas cap is properly sealed
  • The engine is fully warmed up
  • You have your registration and ID

Following these steps greatly increases the chance of passing on the first attempt.

Why Use This Directory?

Drivers in San Diego rely on this directory because it provides a complete list of verified emissions testing stations, map-based navigation for quick lookup, accurate state-updated requirements, support for gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles, and clear explanations of exemptions and frequency rules.

View California Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About Emissions Testing in San Diego, California

Get answers to common questions about smog checks, testing requirements, and finding the right station in San Diego.

You can use this directory to find licensed emissions testing and smog check stations in San Diego. Browse the listings above to see addresses, contact details, and services offered, then choose the station that's most convenient for your part of the city.
It depends on California's emissions testing program, your registration ZIP code, and your vehicle's model year and fuel type. Some areas of California require testing, while others do not. Check your California state page in this directory or your DMV's website to see if your address in San Diego is in a testing area.
Most emissions programs require testing every one or two years, usually tied to registration renewal. Some vehicles are tested more frequently, and others are exempt for the first few model years. Use the California state page to see the current 2025 schedule for your vehicle type and registration area.
Prices vary by station and vehicle, but most emissions tests in San Diego fall within the typical range for California. Many stations list pricing by phone or on their website, and some offer coupons or discounts. Use the listings above to contact a station directly for current pricing.
Requirements depend on vehicle type (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, electric), model year, and weight, as well as where your vehicle is registered in California. In many states, fully electric vehicles are exempt, newer vehicles are temporarily exempt, and certain older or specialty vehicles may have different rules. Check the California state page for the latest 2025 requirements.
Most stations in San Diego ask you to bring your current registration or renewal notice, a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance if required by California. Make sure your vehicle is warmed up and the check engine light is off before you arrive.
If your vehicle fails, the station will provide a report showing the reason for failure (such as stored OBD-II codes or high tailpipe readings). In most programs, you must complete repairs and pass a retest before renewing your registration. Some states offer repair assistance, cost caps, or waivers. Details are listed on the California page in this directory.
In some states, certain vehicles are directed to specific station types (such as STAR or test-only centers). Unless your renewal notice or DMV instructions say otherwise, you can usually choose any licensed station in San Diego. If you're unsure, ask the station when you call or check the instructions on your renewal notice.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our customer support team