What is a STAR smog check, and do you need one in San Mateo?
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. San Mateo has 8 STAR certified smog check stations: 4 test-only and 4 test-and-repair, out of 14 licensed stations in the city. No STAR station in San Mateo 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 San Mateo
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 San Mateo has “Star” in the name but is not STAR certified in BAR’s records, so it can’t certify a STAR-directed car: Speedy Star Smog Check Only. Check any shop’s standing at bar.ca.gov.
4 STAR test-only stations in San Mateo
| Station | Google rating | Coupon | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smog Central | 4.9 (158) | – | 2107 Palm Ave Unit B |
| 101 Test Express | – | – | 110 S Claremont St |
| 4 Less Smog Check | – | – | 3925 South El Camino Real |
| Star Smog San Mateo | – | – | 1626 S. El Camino Real |
4 STAR test-and-repair stations in San Mateo
| Station | Google rating | Coupon | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma's Auto Repair & Smog Station | – | – | 2660 S El Camino Real |
| Master Mechanics And Smog | – | – | 71 21st Ave A |
| Quik Smog | – | – | 1028 S Claremont Street |
| Smogpro TW Automotive | – | – | 412 2nd Ave |
STAR stations near San Mateo
- A All Smog El Camino in Redwood City, about 9 miles from the center of San Mateo
- A Plus Smog in Redwood City, about 9 miles from the center of San Mateo
- Brake Plus Smog Check Center in Daly City, about 12 miles from the center of San Mateo
- Car Solutions in Daly City, about 12 miles from the center of San Mateo
- Advantage Automotive Repair in San Leandro, about 14 miles from the center of San Mateo
- B And A Auto Repair Smog Check in San Leandro, about 14 miles from the center of San Mateo
- A Star Smog in Hayward, about 14 miles from the center of San Mateo
- Avis Auto Repair in Hayward, about 14 miles from the center of San Mateo
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 8 STAR stations listed in San Mateo can certify a directed car: 4 test-only and 4 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 San Mateo 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.