SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A PRE-TEST...... REALLY?

First of all, there are two kinds of pre-tests.

The first type is an official pre-test which is identical to the official test in all it's elements except that a vehicle failing the tailpipe emissions portion of the test at "GROSS POLLUTER" levels, wouldn't get a mark against it's history in the DMV database. It includes a full visual and functional inspection as well and is designed to identify problem areas prior to the official test so that any defects found maybe repaired prior to the official test. This pre-test produces a paper report, pass or fail which may then be used as a general diagnostic guide. Since this is just like a regular test, you would most likely be charged, and if passing, charged again for the official test.

In the second type of pre-test, the technician shoves the probe up the exhaust pipe, woefully declares that it's got no chance to pass, and when you inquire how much will it cost to fix, the tech either looks down at the ground and while shaking his head from side to side, states how complex the modern automobile has become, how expensive to repair, or gives a ballpark price of sorts subject to revision when he finally finds the real problem. Actually, you see, at that point he knows as little as you! He hasn't run the vehicle on the dyno to see what the emissions will do when the engine is under load. Then is when the bad gasses get far worse or better as the case may be. He is trying to get your signature on the bottom line of an invoice, kinda like fishing. Once you're hooked, you're in the pan. For this type of test you would most likely not be charged, but exactly how did you benefit. Perhaps it might have passed if tested properly.

Most folks want a pretest as a sort of insurance against being identified to Sacramento as a 'gross polluter' if the emissions are to high. Generally there are two reasons they want this type of insurance. Either they want to sell the vehicle and don't want to pay for any repairs, much less smog repairs themselves or they plan to keep the vehicle and have heard that if Sacramento gets word of the 'gross polluter' status, that information would give the vehicle a bad reputation in the database and make it more likely to be referred to the dreaded Test Only Center on the next required renewal. Oh the stigma.

Since so many vehicles are already being sent to Test Only Centers for their renewal now (40%), the stigma that used to be is now gone. and, if the renewal notice sends you to a Test Only for certification, you are literally wasting money by paying for a pretest at a Inspection and Repair station, as they CANNOT issue a certificate to that vehicle anyway.They can do a meaningless pretest and then try to sell you repairs that the state would be paying for under the CAP program.

If you come you me asking for a pretest and you are doing a renewal, I'm going to tell you not to waste your money because if the vehicle fails at Gross Polluter levels I'm going help you to get into the state sponsored repair program. The stigma is already there and will always be.

If you come to me and ask for a pretest and you're planning to sell, I'm going to do the pre-test and charge my going rate, pass or fail. If you pass the pretest with flying colors, you probably will ask for the official test which will be charged for in addition. Work twice, payed twice.