Santa Cruz Motors

Santa Cruz Motors is a test-and-repair smog check station in Santa Cruz, CA.

4.9(17 reviews)

738 N Branciforte Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Price

Call for price

Hours

Open Mon–Fri

Station type

Test & Repair

Appointments

Walk-ins welcome

Hours

Monday
8 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday
8 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday
8 AM – 5 PM
Thursday
8 AM – 5 PM
Friday
8 AM – 5 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Good to know

Languages

English

Payment

Cash, Credit Card

What to expect at Santa Cruz Motors

Santa Cruz Motors is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as a Test & Repair smog station in Santa Cruz, so it can run the inspection and, if your car fails, diagnose and fix it in the same shop. It is not STAR certified, so if your DMV renewal notice says "STAR Station Required" you will need a different station.

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?

  • Santa Cruz Motors can diagnose and repair the problem in the same shop, then retest the car.
  • 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.
Repair assistance (CAP)

Other stations near Santa Cruz Motors

Nearby cities in Santa Cruz County

Questions about Santa Cruz Motors

Santa Cruz Motors is open Monday 8 AM to 5 PM; Tuesday 8 AM to 5 PM; Wednesday 8 AM to 5 PM; Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM; Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so call ahead if you are cutting it close.


Santa Cruz Motors accepts Cash, Credit Card.


Santa Cruz Motors has held a BAR smog license since 2026. You can verify the license status at bar.ca.gov.


Santa Cruz Motors 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 (831) 429-1209 for a quote.


Santa Cruz Motors does not take online bookings here, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (831) 429-1209 to check the wait.


Staff at Santa Cruz Motors speak English.


The closest alternatives in Santa Cruz are Fidelity Automotive (0.1 mi) and AA Star Smog Check (0.3 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.

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BAR field office: San Jose • Licensed since 2026

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