What is a STAR smog check, and do you need one in Concord?
A STAR station is one the Bureau of Automotive Repair has certified to higher performance standards. You need one only when your DMV renewal notice says “Smog Certification Required at a STAR station”, or after a gross polluter fail. Concord has 12 STAR certified smog check stations: 3 test-only and 9 test-and-repair, out of 36 licensed stations in the city. No STAR station in Concord has a priced coupon listed right now. In BAR’s September 2026 report, STAR test-only stations averaged $63.30 and STAR test-and-repair stations $71.80, plus the $8.25 certificate.
Updated
STAR smog check stations in Concord
Why you were directed to a STAR station
Your DMV renewal notice says “Smog Certification Required at a STAR station” for one of two reasons. BAR’s statistical profile picked the car as more likely than others to fail, or it was one of the 2% BAR selects at random in Enhanced areas to evaluate the program (BAR Smog Check Reference Guide). A car that failed as a gross polluter also needs a STAR station. Any STAR station below can certify it; a regular station can’t. More in what a STAR smog check is.
Does a STAR smog check cost more?
At test-only stations, yes on average. At test-and-repair stations, no. These are BAR’s statewide averages for September 2026, before the $8.25 certificate:
| Station type | STAR | Not STAR |
|---|---|---|
| Test-only | $63.30 | $56.77 |
| Test-and-repair | $71.80 | $75.26 |
“Star” in the name is not STAR certification
One shop in Concord has “Star” in the name but is not STAR certified in BAR’s records, so it can’t certify a STAR-directed car: Green Star Smog. Check any shop’s standing at bar.ca.gov.
3 STAR test-only stations in Concord
| Station | Google rating | Coupon | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayside Smog | – | – | 2849 Willow Pass Road |
| Golden Star Smog | – | – | 2484 Olivera Rd |
| Smog Star Express | – | – | 1130 Detroit Ave #1 |
9 STAR test-and-repair stations in Concord
| Station | Google rating | Coupon | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autos International | – | – | 2201 Commerce Ave |
| Bay Area Smog | – | – | 2575 Monument Blvd #f |
| Clayton Auto Service | – | – | 4746 Clayton Rd |
| Clayton Treat Automotive | – | – | 4300 Clayton Rd |
| Concord Smog Tune & Brakes | – | – | 2510 Monument Blvd |
| Four Corners Union | – | – | 2025 Monument Blvd |
| HJ Smog | – | – | 2111 Fremont Street |
| Smog Guys | – | – | 2094 Market Street |
| Super Station | – | – | 1650 Monument Blvd |
STAR stations near Concord
- 15 Minute Smog Test And Repair in Berkeley, about 14 miles from the center of Concord
- 4 Less Smog Check in Berkeley, about 14 miles from the center of Concord
- Xpress Star Smog Check in Oakland, about 16 miles from the center of Concord
- 4 Less Smog Check in Oakland, about 16 miles from the center of Concord
- Castro Valley Union 76 in Castro Valley, about 17 miles from the center of Concord
- Chabot Smog in Castro Valley, about 17 miles from the center of Concord
- Advantage Automotive Repair in San Leandro, about 17 miles from the center of Concord
- B And A Auto Repair Smog Check in San Leandro, about 17 miles from the center of Concord
Frequently asked questions
Only when your DMV renewal notice says "Smog Certification Required at a STAR station", or when the car failed as a gross polluter. BAR directs a car to STAR when its profile says it is more likely to fail, or at random (2% in Enhanced areas). Any car can still be tested at a STAR station.
Yes. All 12 STAR stations listed in Concord can certify a directed car: 3 test-only and 9 test-and-repair. Pick test-and-repair if the car may fail and you want it fixed in the same place.
At test-only stations, a little on average: BAR's September 2026 averages were $63.30 STAR vs $56.77 non-STAR. At test-and-repair stations STAR averaged less, $71.80 vs $75.26. All before the $8.25 certificate.
No. "Star" in a shop's name says nothing about BAR's STAR certification: 1 shop in Concord with "Star" in the name is not STAR certified in BAR's records. Check any station at bar.ca.gov before you go.
BAR updates STAR scores every January and July.