One of the many pitfalls in buying a used car is knowing whether the vehicle has passed the state's Smog Check test. You could end up with a car that needs costly repairs. Department of Consumer Affairs Director Kathleen Hamilton says help is now just a click away.
Now you can review a car's test history by entering its license plate number or its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the Bureau of Automotive Repair's website: www.smogcheck.ca.gov. If you find the vehicle hasn't passed the state's test, you can negotiate repairs with the seller or start looking for another used car.