Smog Check Repair Assistance: Get Up to $1,450 in California

If your car just failed its smog check, you might qualify for up to $1,450 in state repair assistance — here's how the Consumer Assistance Program works.

CAP can help with $ on your repair quote

Failing a smog check is stressful enough without wondering how you'll pay for the repair. If you're looking for smog check repair assistance in California, here's some good news: the state's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) exists specifically to help drivers in this situation, and a lot of people who qualify never find out about it.

What CAP actually covers

If your DMV registration renewal notice requires you to get your Smog Check done at a Test-Only station — like Smog Express — and your vehicle fails, you may qualify for up to $1,450 toward the cost of repairs (up to $900 for vehicles model year 1976–1995), once you pay the first $100 in repair costs.

What if the repair isn't worth it?

Sometimes an older vehicle's repair costs more than the car is worth. In that case, CAP offers a second option: vehicle retirement. Depending on your income eligibility, the State will pay you between $1,350 and $2,000 for your car and have it properly scrapped at a local dismantler — meaning you walk away with cash instead of a repair bill.

How to find out if you qualify

You can download the CAP application in English or Spanish (Programa de Asistencia al Consumidor), or call the Bureau of Automotive Repair directly at (800) 952-5210 to ask about eligibility.

We're here to help either way

If your vehicle fails its smog check with us, we'll walk you through your options — including whether CAP might apply to your situation. And remember: your retest with Smog Express is always free within 30 days, so once repairs are done, getting your final pass doesn't cost you anything extra.