smog inspection question for california guys

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

quick question. im looking at buying a '91 suburban 2500, strictly for a camping rig. the seller just had the truck smogged in february. if i buy the car from him, will i, too, have to have a smog inspection done before i can register it?

syncroid · 03-28-2012, 05:07 PM

No. Unless you don't register it within 90 days. How come the seller got the smog? If for whatever reason he got a smog that was not quite on the level and you buy it. You are then responsible down the road for the next smog. I'm not saying there is a problem but I would want to make sure it will pass again in two years.

motion · 03-28-2012, 05:20 PM

Hmmmm, I thought that whenever you buy a used car in Kali, you have to smog it, and its the seller's responsibility that it passes?

Steve Carlton · 03-28-2012, 05:26 PM

Motion is correct. And if the smog done in February was for registration renewal, it needs to be smogged again.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

he just bought a new suburban (the guy lives two houses down from me), so his wife is making him sell the '91.

when he said that i would have to get it re-smogged, i was unsure why it would need to be done again since it was just done in february.

the guy only wants $1000 for the thing. rust free desert truck, 4x4, and runs great.

syncroid · 03-28-2012, 05:53 PM

It is the sellers responsibility for the smog. Not arguing that. I'm just saying that if the seller had gotten a less then legit smog, then once the paperwork at the DMV is done, the new owner has to deal with it two years down the road.
Being that its your neighbor, you probably have nothing to be concerned about.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

so regardless, im going to have to take it to a smog station and get it done? is the fact that he just got it smogged a moot point?

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

this state sucks.

syncroid · 03-28-2012, 05:57 PM

I thought the smog was good for 90 days but I could be wrong. Its been awhile since I have been in that situation. (either buying or selling a car)

sennasixty8 · sennasixty8's Garage

You have 90 days from the smog date to register in your name, or else a resmog will be required.

5String43 · 03-28-2012, 07:07 PM

Not sure, but I think the smog cert is indeed good for 90 days - and it is totally the seller's responsibility to get the smog check.

aigel · aigel's Garage

There is a lot of misinformation in the responses to a very simple questoin.

Here you go, straight from DMV.

Smog Information

Quote:

When a vehicle is more than four model years old, a seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification except when one of the following occurs:

The transfer occurs between a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.
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).

Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

I know that in reality cars are sold without smog a lot here in CA, but if it comes down to it, the buyer could go after the seller for not providing a certificate.

Cheers,

George

kaisen · 03-28-2012, 07:26 PM

That's a steal! Those are great trucks, and the last year for the solid front axle

Joeaksa · 03-28-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Embraer

this state sucks.

Register it out of state... or do the smart thing and move East...

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

Joe, im trying to get back to Indy Center. my house, shop, cars are all waiting for me back there.

SeanPizzle · 03-28-2012, 08:07 PM

90 days. I bought my m3 and registered it on the 89th day after it's biannual smog. Bring the smog slip to the DMV or AAA office with you. I always go to AAA to handle DMV stuff because I can't stand dealing with state workers.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Embraer

this state sucks.

Only if you listen to bad advice.

You need to get out of the high desert, not all of CA is like that.

G

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

it's not the desert that sucks....i rather enjoy the peace and quiet out here. the only two things i like are the scenery and the weather. the BS laws, cost of living, and california-centric people are what i don't like.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

btw...thanks for all of the replies, guys

john70t · 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

but if it comes down to it, the buyer could go after the seller for not providing a certificate.

Yes. When I was younger and lived in California, I took a seller's word after an honest conversation and a handshake.
The car ran well and was clean smelling.

The signed "bill of sale" which I wrote also included the verbage that the vehicle had passed current smog.

Then I found out the car hadn't been registered for 2 years. No registration. No smog. Almost got arrested with my car impounded on the side of the highway by CHP.

To make the car legally drivable again, I went to a Gold-Shield "Test-Only" station, and paid an extra hundred dollars or so. The Untouchables. They tried to charge $50 more for a semi-kinked vacuum hose(the reason for failure), and for a brand new smog test.

I took the seller to court after he didn't respond after 1.5 months.
I presented a time-line, and written evidence from the seller.
The judge threw the entire case out.