States
North Carolina
Cary

Emissions Testing in Cary, North Carolina

Find 11 licensed smog check stations in Cary. Browse test-only centers, STAR-certified locations, and shops offering registration renewal inspections. Requirements in North Carolina vary by vehicle type and model year.

11 stations
Cary, NC
View North Carolina requirements
CC

Cary Car Care

4.8 · 793 reviews
Auto repair shop · 234 E Johnson St, Cary, NC 27513

Cary Car Care provides emissions testing and vehicle inspections in Cary, North Carolina. Check hours and services for e...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
NC

NC Complete Auto

4.8 · 761 reviews
Auto repair shop · 121 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27511

NC Complete Auto offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
PS

Pit Stop Car Care & Exhaust

4.7 · 73 reviews
Auto repair shop · 121 SW Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Pit Stop Car Care & Exhaust offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary North Carolina. View hours and detai...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
PS

Pit Stop Express Lube & Inspection

4.7 · 171 reviews
Car inspection station · 121 SW Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Pit Stop Express Lube & Inspection offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours a...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
HA

Honest Automotive

4.7 · 232 reviews
Auto repair shop · 527 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511

Honest Automotive offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
GO

Genesis of Cary Service Center

4.7 · 555 reviews
Auto repair shop · 5010 Old Raleigh Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Genesis of Cary Service Center offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and d...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
QI

Quality Inspection Center

4.6 · 176 reviews
Car inspection station · 1413 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Quality Inspection Center in Cary North Carolina offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection services. View hours an...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
JL

Jiffy Lube Oil Change

4.3 · 503 reviews
Oil change service · 1401 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Jiffy Lube Oil Change offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
FA

Firehouse Auto Repair

4.3 · 339 reviews
Auto repair shop · 6804 Carpenter Fire Station Rd, Cary, NC 27519

Firehouse Auto Repair offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection services in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and d...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
JL

Jiffy Lube Oil Change

4.2 · 682 reviews
Oil change service · 941 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Jiffy Lube Oil Change offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
QI

Quality Inspection Center

4.1 · 89 reviews
Car inspection station · 518 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511

Quality Inspection Center offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Cary, North Carolina. View hours and detail...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis

City Guide

Emissions Testing in Cary, North Carolina

Finding a reliable place for emissions testing or a smog check in Cary is easier than ever. Our directory lists 11 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 North Carolina.

Do Vehicles in Cary Need an Emissions Test?

Most drivers in Cary follow the same rules set by North Carolina. 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 Cary Drivers

Before heading to a testing center in Cary, 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 Cary 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 North Carolina Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About Emissions Testing in Cary, North Carolina

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

You can use this directory to find licensed emissions testing and smog check stations in Cary. 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 North Carolina's emissions testing program, your registration ZIP code, and your vehicle's model year and fuel type. Some areas of North Carolina require testing, while others do not. Check your North Carolina state page in this directory or your DMV's website to see if your address in Cary 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 North Carolina 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 Cary fall within the typical range for North Carolina. 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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina state page for the latest 2025 requirements.
Most stations in Cary ask you to bring your current registration or renewal notice, a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance if required by North Carolina. 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 North Carolina 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 Cary. 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