Family business since 1999 · Test-only smog stations
No Pass - No PaySmog Test Centers
Two test-only smog check stations in the Sacramento area, in Orangevale and North Highlands. Walk in with no appointment, and if your car or light truck doesn't pass a standard emissions inspection, you don't pay for that test.
Call for today’s price and ask about our internet special: $5 off any inspection. You approve a written estimate first, and a car or light truck that doesn’t pass a standard inspection pays nothing for the test.
Both shops are STAR certified test-only stations- Open Sundays in Orangevale
- We don't sell repairs
What we test
Every smog check the DMV asks for
Tailpipes Smog Test Centers is a family-run, test-only smog check business with two shops in the Sacramento area: 9292 Greenback Lane in Orangevale and 7460 Watt Avenue in North Highlands. Both take walk-ins with no appointment, and under the shop's No Pass, No Pay promise, if your car or light truck does not pass a standard emissions inspection, you don't pay for that test.
The Tailpipes promise
No pass. No pay.
Cars and light trucks, any standard emissions inspection. Motorhomes excluded. How it works
- Pull inDrive up to either shop during open hours. No appointment and no online booking needed. Bring your DMV renewal notice if you have one; BAR says it helps the station confirm your vehicle's details.
- Get your estimateWe confirm your vehicle and give you an estimate before we start. California requires the station to give an estimate, and you approve it before the inspection begins.
- The inspectionThe inspector checks the emission parts, runs the functional tests and plugs into the computer on 2000 and newer vehicles. Vehicles from 1999 and older get a tailpipe emissions test. BAR says the whole visit usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Certificate to the DMVIf your vehicle passes, the certificate goes to the DMV electronically and is good for 90 days. You leave with your Vehicle Inspection Report. If a car or light truck doesn't pass a standard inspection, you don't pay for that test, and the report shows why.
Two shops
Pick the closest pit stop
Orangevale
Open 7 days| Mon - Sat | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm |
STAR certified. Open Sundays 9 to 3:30.
Orangevale shop detailsNorth Highlands
Mon - Sat| Mon - Sat | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
STAR certified. Motorhomes taken until 10 am. Closed Sundays.
North Highlands shop detailsWhy Tailpipes
Honest tests. No upsell.
No Pass, No Pay
All cars and light trucks are eligible for our No Pass, No Pay policy on any standard emissions inspection. If it doesn't pass, you don't pay for that test. Motorhomes are not included. Ask about our current internet special: $5 off any inspection. See how the promise works.
Test-only, so nothing to upsell
We test and certify. We don't sell repairs, so there's nothing to upsell. Any driver in California may choose a test-only station. Why test-only matters.
Walk in, no appointment
Both shops are first come, first served, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. BAR says a Smog Check usually takes about 30 minutes, and many customers tell us they were in and out faster than that.
STAR at both shops, Sundays in Orangevale
Both shops are STAR certified, so either one can test vehicles the DMV directs to a STAR station. The Orangevale shop is also open Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Orangevale hours and directions.
From Google reviews
What drivers say
★★★★★they did a great job, super fast service. I went to another smog place and had nothing but issues and waits. Highly recommend and will be using in the future.
★★★★★Great great great place. Found my new smog station. The guy was really nice and professional. Rolled in about 930 and left by 950. Was super grateful they were open on sunday.
★★★★★Zack was great. Fastest smog in the west! My friend recommended them for how fast they are & the fact that they don't charge you if you don't pass. I went there at 9am on a Thursday. Service with a smile too 😃
★★★★★Very helpful great guy! Thank you for the quick service! I'll come here for the next smog for sure!
★★★★★Got the smog check done in 15 minutes. Very impressive!!
★★★★★J.R. is great! He explained the process, in & out in 10 min. Also offered me advice on car care. Very good experience.
Smog checks for most vehicles on the road
We test gasoline cars, light trucks, vans and SUVs of all makes and models, plus hybrids and 1998 and newer diesels up to 14,000 lbs GVWR. We handle first tests and re-tests, change of ownership checks for sellers, and first California registration checks for cars coming from out of state. See every smog check we do.
Gas motorhomes are tested at our North Highlands shop before 10 am. Both shops are STAR certified, so vehicles the DMV sends to a STAR station, and gross polluter certifications, can go to either one.
Who needs a smog check in the Sacramento area
Sacramento and Yolo counties are on the DMV list of counties that need a smog inspection at registration renewal. Placer and El Dorado counties are covered by ZIP code. Gasoline and hybrid vehicles from 1976 and newer need a check every other year once they are past their first eight model years (add 8 to the model year). Diesels from 1998 and newer, up to 14,000 lbs GVWR, have no model-year exemption and need a check every other year from the start.
A check is also needed when you sell a vehicle and when you register an out-of-state vehicle in California for the first time. Your DMV renewal notice will say "Smog Certification Required" or "Smog Certification Required at a STAR station." Which model years need smog.
Two shops, one family business since 1999
Tailpipes has been a family business since 1999. Our Orangevale shop is on Greenback Lane and our North Highlands shop is on Watt Avenue, so drivers from Folsom to Antelope have a test-only station close by. Compare the two shops.
Service areas
Sacramento, Placer and nearby
Straight answers
Questions drivers ask
Still have a question? Call Orangevale at (916) 989-0101 or North Highlands at (916) 332-9900.
Do I need an appointment for a smog check?
No. Both shops take walk-ins, first come, first served. Just drive in during open hours.
What does No Pass, No Pay mean?
All cars and light trucks are eligible for our No Pass, No Pay policy on any standard emissions inspection. If your vehicle doesn't pass, you don't pay for that test. It does not apply to motorhomes. Ask us if your vehicle and test qualify.
Are you open on Sunday?
Our Orangevale shop is open Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. North Highlands is closed on Sunday.
How long does a smog check take?
BAR says a Smog Check usually takes about 30 minutes. Many of our customers say they were in and out quicker, but it depends on the vehicle and how busy the shop is.
How much is a smog check?
California does not set smog check prices; each station sets its own. The only state charge is the $8.25 certificate fee. Call either shop for today's price.
Do you do repairs?
No. We are a test-only station, so we test and certify only. If a vehicle fails, take the Vehicle Inspection Report to any licensed repair shop you choose, then come back for your re-test.
No pass. No pay.
Pull in. We'll take it from here.
Walk in at either shop, no appointment. Standard emissions inspection on a car or light truck and it doesn't pass? You don't pay for the test.
Orangevale
Open 7 days| Mon - Sat | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm |
STAR certified. Open Sundays 9 to 3:30.
North Highlands
Mon - Sat| Mon - Sat | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
STAR certified. Motorhomes taken until 10 am. Closed Sundays.