Smogging (August: sale, limo, transfer)

[bostonian61795]

Hi
I've been in CA for 3 years but don't understand the smog regs perfectly.

I smogged a vehicle in August, but since the smog is good for two years, do I have to do it again to sell it? The smog is sooooo recent, but I doubt it will pass. I know a smog must be done everytime the vehicle changes hands, but could an August smog count as the pre-sale smog for December or January?

[DMenscha]

try this link.

Smog Information

smog certs are good for 90 days.

[Fleet]

I think the smog check is valid for 90 days.

[GoodbyeCalifornia]

Unless their has been a recent change in the law, the person purchasing the vehicle has always been responsible for getting it smogged as a condition of getting the vehicle registered in their name.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by GoodbyeCalifornia

Unless their has been a recent change in the law, the person purchasing the vehicle has always been responsible for getting it smogged as a condition of getting the vehicle registered in their name.

In California, with few exceptions, the seller IS responsible for selling a vehicle in compliance with applicable smog laws...

The exceptions are when the vehicle is sold for scrap or to a licensed auto dealer.

Private party transactions always put the burden on the Seller which means having a current smog for the car you are selling also makes good sense from a liability standpoint.

Why would you want to sell a car and then loose in court when the seller recovers the cost to bring the vehicle into compliance...

I always have a current smog when I sell.

[ferretkona]

My father sold a suburban that had been modified. The buyer later returned the truck to stock and my father had to repay him $1500 because of the missing hardware.

Up in No CA most ads state that the buyer pays for smog and the cost of the ad. Down here in So CA sellers just add the cost into the price.

[Ultrarunner]

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?

The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

Note: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for any motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.

[GoodbyeCalifornia]

I prefaced my statement with "Unless there has been a recent change in the law". I have not sold a vehicle in California in 7 or more years. At that time I was not required to provide the buyer with a smog certificate. Conversely, around the same time period I purchased a used vehicle and it was my responsibility to provide a smog certificate to the DMV when I went to register it in my name.

Laws change constantly and so my information was out of date. It happens.

[Fleet]

When I bought my '76 Cadillac Limo back in 1999, I was the one who had to have it smogged, so the law changed sometime after 1999.

[DMenscha]

It's Always been the sellers responsibility to provide the smog cert. Whether the seller actually does that or makes the buyer do it, it's still legally the sellers obligation.