Bernal Heights · Smog Check

Smog Check near Bernal Heights, San Francisco

We do smog check & repair for Bernal Heights drivers about 12 minutes from Bernal Heights, San Francisco. Our shop is at 2800 Oakdale Ave in Bayview — family-owned since 1996, walk-ins welcome, written estimate before any work starts. Below is what a smog check visit looks like when you come from Bernal Heights.

California requires a smog check every two years for most cars over six model years old, plus any time you sell a vehicle or register one new to the state. We have been doing smog checks in Bayview since 1996 and we know the test, the rules, and what to do if your car fails. Bring your renewal notice or your DMV transfer paperwork and we will take it from there.

What we test

Our test follows the BAR-OIS standard used at every California smog station. We pull live data from your OBD-II port, scan for stored emissions codes, verify your readiness monitors, and check the visual condition of emissions components like the gas cap, catalytic converter heat shielding, and EVAP lines. For older pre-1996 vehicles we run a tailpipe sniff test instead.

  • OBD-II scan for stored and pending emissions codes
  • Readiness monitor verification
  • Visual inspection of emissions hardware
  • Tailpipe analysis for pre-1996 vehicles

If your car fails

A failed smog check is not the end of the road. We diagnose the actual cause, give you a written estimate before any work starts, and re-test for free once the repair is done. Common failures we see in Bayview cars: bad oxygen sensors from short city trips, EVAP leaks from a loose or cracked gas cap, and catalytic converter inefficiency on higher-mileage Hondas, Toyotas, and Subarus.

How long it takes

Most smog checks take 30 to 45 minutes. If we are slammed we will give you an honest wait time when you walk in. If you would rather drop the car off, do that. We will text you when it is ready.

Why pick us

We are CA license #270008, family-owned since 1996, and the Bureau of Automotive Repair has us as a registered station. We do not upsell smog repairs that you do not need. If your car passes clean, you pay for the test and that is it.

Coming from Bernal Heights

From Cortland Ave: Bayshore south, right on Cesar Chavez, left on 3rd Street, right on Oakdale. From Holly Park area: Mission St south to Cesar Chavez, then same. From the Bernal hill side: Folsom or Alabama down to Cesar Chavez, then east to 3rd.

Smog Check questions from Bernal Heights

Real questions, straight answers.

How long is the drive from Bernal Heights?+
About 10 to 14 minutes depending on lights and time of day.
Do you specialize in Subarus / Hondas / Toyotas?+
We work on all makes and models. Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus, and VWs are some of the cars we see most because they are common in the neighborhoods we serve.
How much does a smog check cost?+
Smog check pricing in California is set by each shop. Call us at (415) 648-2226 for current pricing. Cash and card both accepted. The state also charges a separate certificate fee that is billed regardless of where you go.
Do you do diesel smog checks?+
California now requires smog checks on most diesel vehicles model year 1998 and newer with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs or less. We can perform diesel smog checks on most light-duty trucks and SUVs. Call ahead so we can confirm your specific make and model.
My check engine light is on. Will I fail?+
Yes. Any active check engine light is an automatic fail. Bring it to us first and we will diagnose the cause, fix it, and then run the smog check on the same visit so you only pay for one trip.

Stop By

A & C Auto Clinic

2800 Oakdale Ave

San Francisco, CA 94124

(415) 648-2226

Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm. Walk-ins welcome. Closed Sat and Sun.