1. Vehicles 4 Years or Newer: If the used car is 4 years old or newer and has less than 70,000 miles, you typically won't need a smog check (unless required for registration or title transfer by the DMV).
2. Vehicles 5-11 Years Old: For used vehicles that are 5-11 years old, a smog inspection is usually required upon the transfer of ownership. If the car had a valid smog test within the last 90 days, you may be able to provide the seller's smog certificate to the DMV. If the smog test was conducted more than 90 days ago, you'll likely need to get a new smog inspection.
3. Vehicles 12 Years or Older: For vehicles that are 12 years or older, they are generally exempt from smog inspections when changing ownership, and a smog check is not required.
It's always a good idea to double-check the specific smog requirements for the used car you're buying by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or visiting the DMV website. Please note that certain counties in California may have additional smog check requirements, so it's best to verify the rules for your specific location.
