Foothill Quickie Smog is a smog check station in Upland that tests whether your vehicle meets California's emissions standards

Foothill Quickie Smog is a privately owned smog check facility located in Upland, California. It performs the OBD-II test (onboard diagnostic test) that California requires for most vehicles, and the two-speed idle test for older cars. The station is certified by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair to issue smog certificates, which you need to register or renew your vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The test itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes. A technician plugs a diagnostic scanner into your vehicle's OBD-II port (usually under the steering column) to read emissions data stored in your engine computer. For vehicles older than 1996, or those that fail the OBD test, the technician may perform a tailpipe test instead. If your vehicle passes, you receive a certificate valid for two years. If it fails, you get a report showing which emissions systems are not working correctly.

Key Takeaways

  • Foothill Quickie Smog in Upland is a Bureau of Automotive Repair-certified station that performs the OBD-II test required by California for vehicle registration.
  • The test reads data from your vehicle's onboard computer and takes 15 to 30 minutes; you receive a certificate when ready if you pass.
  • A passing certificate is valid for two years and must be presented to the DMV when you register or renew your vehicle.
  • If your vehicle fails, the report tells you which emissions systems need repair before you can register it.
  • You do not need an appointment at most smog check stations, but calling ahead can save you wait time.

What the OBD-II test actually measures

The OBD-II test does not measure the amount of pollution your car produces. Instead, it checks whether your vehicle's emissions control systems are working and communicating correctly with the engine computer. The scanner reads fault codes—error messages stored in your vehicle's computer that indicate a problem with the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, fuel system, or other emissions equipment.

If your check engine light is on, your vehicle will almost certainly fail the OBD-II test, because the light means your computer has detected a fault. Even if the light is not on, the scanner can find stored codes that indicate a recent problem. Some codes are serious (a failing catalytic converter); others are minor (a loose gas cap that was already tightened). The technician's report will list every code found, so you know exactly what needs repair.

When you need a smog check in California

California requires a smog check when you first register a vehicle in the state, when you renew registration every two years, and when you transfer ownership to someone else. You also need one if you move to California from another state and register your vehicle here. Vehicles that are brand new, or that are 2000 or newer and have fewer than 6,000 miles, are exempt from the first smog check.

Vehicles older than 1975 are exempt from smog checks entirely. If your vehicle is registered in a county that does not require smog checks (a few rural counties are exempt), you do not need one. You can check your county's requirement on the California Bureau of Automotive Repair website or by calling your local DMV office.

What happens if your vehicle fails the smog test

A failed smog certificate is not a registration document—it is a diagnostic report. You cannot register your vehicle with a failed certificate. Instead, you have two options: repair the vehicle and retest, or explore for a Smog Check Repair information Program grant if your vehicle is old and the repairs are expensive.

If you choose to repair, you can take your vehicle to any repair shop, not just the smog station. Once repairs are complete, you can return to Foothill Quickie Smog or any other certified station for a retest. California allows one free retest within 30 days if you failed at the same station where you are retesting. If you use a different station, you pay the full test fee again. Keep your failed certificate—you will need it to show the retest station what was wrong before.

Cost and what to bring

Smog check fees vary by station and by vehicle type. Most stations charge between $30 and $50 for a basic OBD-II test. Older vehicles that require a tailpipe test may cost more. Call Foothill Quickie Smog directly to confirm the current fee for your vehicle year and type.

Bring your vehicle keys and your vehicle registration or proof of ownership. Some stations ask for your driver's license. If your vehicle has a check engine light on, the test will fail, so have that repaired first if possible—it saves you the test fee. If your vehicle has not been driven in a while, run it for at least 10 to 15 minutes before the test so the emissions systems warm up and the computer completes its self-checks.

How to find Foothill Quickie Smog's location and hours

Foothill Quickie Smog operates in Upland, but smog check stations change locations and hours. The most reliable way to find current information is to search the California Bureau of Automotive Repair's official list of certified stations at bar.ca.gov, or call the Upland DMV office, which maintains a list of local certified stations.

You can also search online for "smog check Upland" or "Foothill Quickie Smog Upland" to find the station's phone number and hours. Most smog check stations do not require an appointment, but calling ahead to confirm they are open and to ask about current wait times is a good idea, especially during busy registration renewal periods.

What to do if you move or sell your vehicle

If you move out of California, you do not need a smog check to cancel your registration. If you sell your vehicle in California, the buyer will need a smog check before they can register it in their name. The smog certificate is tied to the vehicle, not the owner, so a certificate you obtained before selling is still valid for the new owner if it has not expired.

If you buy a used vehicle in California, ask the seller for the smog certificate. If the vehicle is being sold by a dealer, the dealer is required to provide a smog check before sale. If you are buying from a private seller, you are responsible for obtaining the smog check yourself before you register it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a smog check if my check engine light is on?

Technically yes, but your vehicle will fail. The check engine light means your vehicle's computer has detected a fault in the emissions system, and the OBD-II test will read that fault code. Have the problem diagnosed and repaired first, then the light should turn off on its own after a few drive cycles, and you can retest.

How long does a smog certificate last?

A passing smog certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue. You must present it to the DMV when you register or renew your vehicle. If your certificate expires before you renew your registration, you will need a new smog check.

What if I fail the smog check twice?

You can retest as many times as needed. Each test costs the full fee. If repairs are expensive and your vehicle is at least 1998 or older, you may be able to get help through the Smog Check Repair information Program, which provides grants to help pay for emissions repairs on older vehicles.

Do I need an appointment at Foothill Quickie Smog?

Most smog check stations, including Foothill Quickie Smog, do not require appointments. You can walk in during business hours. However, calling ahead to confirm hours and ask about wait times is a good idea, especially during peak registration renewal periods.

Can I get a smog check for a vehicle I do not own?

Yes. You can bring any vehicle you have permission to test. The certificate is issued for the vehicle's VIN, not the person who brought it in. If you are testing a vehicle you are thinking of buying, the seller must give you permission to take it to the smog station.