Carmax

No. Carmax is licensed as a Test & Repair station. This station can run your smog test and, if the vehicle fails, diagnose and repair it in the same shop.

Yes. Carmax accepts walk-ins, so you can drive in without booking ahead.

Carmax accepts Cash, Credit Card.

Carmax has held a BAR smog license since 2022. You can verify the license status at bar.ca.gov.

Carmax 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 (714) 481-8460 for a quote.

Carmax does not take online bookings here, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (714) 481-8460 to check the wait.

We don't have hours on file for Carmax, so call (714) 481-8460 before you drive over.

Staff at Carmax speak English.

Bring the car, your registration or DMV renewal notice, and a way to pay. Most smog checks take 15 to 30 minutes, and most visits are closer to 20.

Because Carmax is a Test & Repair station, it can diagnose and repair the problem in the same shop, then run the free retest within 30 days. If the repair bill is steep, California's Consumer Assistance Program covers up to $1,200 of emissions repairs for qualifying owners.

The closest alternatives in Costa Mesa are D's Automotive Inc (0.6 mi) and Orange Coast Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat (0.7 mi). Both are listed further up this page with their ratings and hours.