Smog Centro

Smog Centro is a STAR certified test-only smog check station in National City, CA.

4.6(115 reviews)

404 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950

Price

Call for price

Hours

Open Mon–Sat

Station type

Test Only

Appointments

Walk-ins welcome

STAR Certified - Authorized for directed vehicles and gross polluters

Hours

Monday
9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday
9 AM – 5 PM
Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday
9 AM – 3 PM
Sunday
Closed

Good to know

Languages

English

Payment

Cash, Credit Card

What to expect at Smog Centro

Smog Centro is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as a Test Only smog station in National City. 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?

  • Smog Centro 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.
Repair assistance (CAP)

Other stations near Smog Centro

Nearby cities in San Diego County

Questions about Smog Centro

Smog Centro is open Monday 9 AM to 5 PM; Tuesday 9 AM to 5 PM; Wednesday 9 AM to 5 PM; Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM; Friday 9 AM to 5 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM. Closed Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so call ahead if you are cutting it close.


Smog Centro accepts Cash, Credit Card.


Smog Centro has held a BAR smog license since 2018. You can verify the license status at bar.ca.gov.


Smog Centro 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) 474-6418 for a quote.


Smog Centro does not take online bookings here, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (619) 474-6418 to check the wait.


Staff at Smog Centro speak English.


The closest alternatives in National City are Formula 1 Auto Repair (0.3 mi) and National City Smog (0.8 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 Diego • Licensed since 2018

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