How to Check a Vehicle's Smog History
Like an accident history, a vehicle's smog history is a good indicator of how well a vehicle has been maintained. Each state's Department of Motor Vehicles establishes different ways of checking and monitoring smog, with different requirements for vehicles. The federal government has considered establishing country-wide standards, but that hasn't happened yet.
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Instructions
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Smog-test your vehicle. Some state DMVs will do this, but any ASE-certified mechanic is qualified to check it. Have any necessary improvements made.
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Log onto your state's DMV page and find the closest smog center. Today, almost every state DMV has smog centers, which keep records of the smog histories of registered cars.
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Schedule an appointment at a smog check center to apply for a smog history of your vehicle. Some states will allow car owners to review this online; but because of security concerns, most require that you visit them in person. You will need the title, car insurance and your driver's license. Each state's Department of Motor Vehicles has different procedures and requirements, so review them on their website before scheduling an appointment.
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Request the recorded smog history in other states the vehicle has been registered in. For instance, if a vehicle has been registered and insured in Texas and Oklahoma, you will need to request information from both of their smog check centers. Many DMVs can acquire records from other state DMVs, so request this when you review the records in your own state. Though privacy laws vary from state to state, you may be able to apply for these records online or have the records sent to you by mail.
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References
- Photo Credit Busan im smog image by Angelika Bentin from Fotolia.com
