What happens if you sell a car without a smog check?

What happens if you sell a car without a smog check?

Per DMV, if you sell the car without a smog certificate, you’ll be responsible for repairs necessary to get the smog to pass.

Can you sell a car without a smog certificate in California?

As the vehicle seller, you are legally required to provide the buyer with a valid smog certificate at the time of sale. The buyer should also be informed that the provided smog certification is only valid for 90 days after the date it is issued.

Who is responsible for smog when selling a car in California?

The seller
The seller is responsible for smog inspection Section 24007 (b)(2) of the California Vehicle Code states it’s the responsibility of the seller to provide a valid smog certificate before or during the sale of a vehicle.

Why would a car not pass a smog check?

Any roughness in the performance of the engine will have an impact on the results of your smog test. Also, if your car smokes or over-heats, you may not pass the smog inspection. Smoke from the tailpipe and a hot running engine create high levels of harmful emissions. Be sure that your gas cap fits properly.

Can I sell my car to CarMax even if still owe?

You can sell your car to anybody even if you still owe money. CARMAX will contact your bank for the payoff amount and deduct that from whatever they offer you for your car. So, if they offer you $15,000 and the outstanding loan amount is $10,000, you will get $5,000.

What happens if you buy a car in California and it doesn’t pass smog?

If your car can’t pass a smog test and you can’t fix it, then you cannot register it in California. If you buy a new vehicle in California, it is generally exempt from a smog test for the first six years of ownership, although it may be four years in some cases.

Can you sell your car without a smog permit?

And now let’s say that you sold your car unwittingly to a buyer who does not know the California smog laws either, that is until he tries to register his car with the DMV and they will not allow the transfer to take place due to the smog requirement. And now the buyer innocently goes to the smog station and oops, it fails.

When do you need a smog check for a car?

You need to have a smog check performed within 90 days of the sale of your car so that you’re able to set the buyer up with a smog certificate.

What kind of smog certificate do you need for natural gas?

The following are all exempt from smog certificate requirements: Natural gas powered with a GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs.

Do you need a smog certificate to tow a car in California?

In California, some charities do not require a smog certificate, and many will even offer to tow your car for free. You will be eligible for a tax deduction for your gift if you donate to a charity that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) organization.

Is it illegal to sell a car without a smog certificate?

If an exception does not apply and a vehicle is not sold with a valid smog certificate, then the sale transaction is illegal and arguably void/enforceable. If you have purchased a used vehicle and did not receive a valid smog certificate, be aware of these rights and seek assistance in obtaining relief from the seller.

How old does a car have to be to get a smog exemption?

Similar to transferring vehicles, selling vehicles does not require smog certifications for gasoline-powered vehicles 4 years old or less*; the new owner will pay the smog transfer fee. Diesel-powered vehicles are not included in this exemption.

How long does it take to get a smog certificate for a car?

First, if you decide you want to sell your car and you get a smog certificate but it takes more than 90 days to sell your car (which is actually way more common than you might think), then the smog check is no good and you’ll have to do it again.

What to do if your car does not pass a smog check?

Generally, most smog check stations also report inspections to the DMV electronically. This helps in case you want to renew your registration via mail or online. If your vehicle did not pass its smog check, the CA Department of Motor Vehicles recommends contacting the BAR Referee Program at (800) 622-7733.