People often ask: what’s the difference between a regular Smog Check and a STAR Smog? Here’s the plain answer. OREC Imports does both.

Regular Smog Check

A regular Smog Check is California’s standard emissions inspection. It’s required at certain registration renewals, depending on the age of the vehicle and a few other factors. Most California shops licensed to do Smog Checks — including us — can perform it.

When your DMV registration renewal notice says you need a Smog Check, this is usually the one it’s talking about.

STAR Smog

STAR is a higher tier within the same California Smog Check program. Some vehicles are randomly directed to a STAR-certified station; others are sent based on the state’s monitoring data. Your DMV registration notice will specifically tell you if you need a STAR station — the notice will say “STAR” on it.

A STAR Smog Station has met additional state requirements and is authorized to perform the inspection on vehicles flagged for STAR.

We do both

OREC Imports is a STAR Smog Station, and we also perform regular Smog Checks for vehicles that don’t require STAR. So whichever one your renewal notice says, you can bring it here.

What to bring

  • Your DMV registration renewal notice
  • The vehicle’s registration card

A note on Clean Truck Check

We’re also CTC (Clean Truck Check) credentialed for the emissions side of California’s heavy-duty vehicle program. We don’t service diesel engines themselves — CTC is the emissions credentialing side of that program.

What to do next

Bring your vehicle by 3645 Main Street in Chula Vista, Monday through Friday. Whichever type of Smog Check your car needs, we’ll take care of it.