Price
Call for price
Hours
Open Mon–Sat
Station type
Test Only
Appointments
Walk-ins welcome
Hours
- Monday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Wednesday
- 8 AM – 12 PM
- Thursday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Friday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday
- 8 AM – 2 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
Languages
English
Payment
Cash, Credit Card
What to expect at RCR Smog Inspection
RCR Smog Inspection is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as a Test Only smog station in El Cajon. It runs the inspection and issues the certificate but does no repairs. It is STAR certified, so it can test vehicles the DMV directs to a STAR station, including gross polluters.
Walk-ins are welcome. Most smog checks take 15 to 30 minutes, and most visits are closer to 20.
What to bring
Your registration or DMV renewal notice
It says whether the car needs a STAR station.
The car, with the check engine light off
On a 2000-or-newer car, a lit check engine light fails the test on its own.
A way to pay
The $8.25 state certificate is paid on top of the test when the car passes, unless the station's price or coupon includes it.
What if I fail?
- RCR Smog Inspection doesn't do repairs, so the car goes to a repair shop and comes back for the retest.
- Each station sets its own retest price, so ask before the first test.
- BAR's Consumer Assistance Program pays up to $1,450 toward emissions repairs for income-eligible owners.
1439 North Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Get directions →Hours
- Monday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Wednesday
- 8 AM – 12 PM
- Thursday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Friday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday
- 8 AM – 2 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Also listed on
Other stations near RCR Smog Inspection
Bradley Automotive
210 W Bradley Ave C 1
Joe's Auto Repair
140 W Bradley Ave
Gregs Automotive
1641 N Magnolia Ave
Roy Wheeler Auto Service Center
797 Greenfield Dr
In-N-Out Smog Check
1027 Greenfield Dr Ste I
Nearby cities in San Diego County
Questions about RCR Smog Inspection
RCR Smog Inspection is open Monday 8 AM to 5 PM; Tuesday 8 AM to 5 PM; Wednesday 8 AM to 12 PM; Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM; Friday 8 AM to 5 PM; Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM. Closed Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so call ahead if you are cutting it close.
RCR Smog Inspection accepts Cash, Credit Card.
Google lists the following accessibility features at RCR Smog Inspection: wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible parking.
RCR Smog Inspection has held a BAR smog license since 2011. You can verify the license status at bar.ca.gov.
RCR Smog Inspection has not published a price on SmogCheckDeals. The Bureau of Automotive Repair puts the statewide average at $69.16 as of August 2026, about $65 for a 2000-or-newer vehicle and $73 for 1999-or-older, plus the $8.25 certificate fee. Call (619) 303-0606 for a quote.
RCR Smog Inspection does not take online bookings here, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (619) 303-0606 to check the wait.
Staff at RCR Smog Inspection speak English.
The closest alternatives in El Cajon are Bradley Automotive (0.2 mi) and Joe's Auto Repair (0.2 mi). Both are listed further up this page with their ratings and hours.
How we get this data: BAR licenses and STAR status, Google hours and ratings, coupons published by the station.
Verify this station’s license and STAR standing at bar.ca.gov.
Own this shop? Add photos
BAR field office: San Diego • Licensed since 2011