Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Diesel Engines and CA Smog Check: FAQ

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Service
 

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved legislation that went into effect on January 1, 2023 as an effort to eliminate all emissions by 2042. This proposal bars auto manufacturers from selling new medium-duty to heavy-duty gasoline trucks from registration in the state of California. Regardless if you’re from Laguna Beach or Dana Point, the state of California requires that vehicles must complete an emissions test every 2 years prior to registration. This includes individuals who have recently moved to California from out of state. Unless your vehicle is exempt, your vehicle will not be legally drivable if it fails the emissions test. In the following guide, we’ll cover the following questions:

 

 

  • What year diesels are not allowed in California?
  • Are diesels exempt from Emissions in CA?
  • Where can I get a California emissions test for diesel vehicles?
  • How much is an emissions test?
  • What happens if you fail a California smog check?
  • What counties require a smog check certification?

What Year Diesels Are Not Allowed in California?

The following diesels are not allowed in California:

  • Diesel-fueled vehicles with a gross vehicle rating of 14,001 pounds to 26,000 pounds will be denied registration for vehicle model years between 1997 and 2010
  • Diesel-fueled vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000+ pounds will be denied registration for model years 1997 and 2010.

Are Diesels Exempt From Emissions in CA?

Are diesels exempt from emissions in CA? Not all Sprinter diesel vehicles have to undergo a California smog check. The same goes for gasoline vehicles. According to the State of California DMV, your vehicle won’t have to undergo a smog inspection if it meets the following criteria:

  • Gasoline powered vehicles from 1976 or older. This includes motorcycles and trailers.
  • Diesel powered vehicles from 1997 with a a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14,000+ pounds
  • Newer gasoline-powered models less than 8 model years old (still must pay an annual “smog abatement” fee)
  • Electric-powered vehicles and motorcycles
  • “Specially constructed” vehicles that have received an emissions waiver

Note that there are no exemptions from a smog check, even if you are an active duty military or military vehicle.

Where Can I Get a California Emissions Test for Diesel Vehicles?

If your Sprinter requires a California smog check, you can get a California Emissions Test at your nearest DMV-authorized smog check station. To locate a smog check station near San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano you can locate a STAR station at smogcheck.ca.gov. These tests take on average from 15 to 30 minutes.

What California Counties Require a Smog Check Certification?

There are some California counties that require vehicles to participate in a smog inspection certification program and submit evidence of smog certification every 2 years. The certificate is a printout with the vehicle’s results from the emissions test. In order to renew your vehicle’s registration, the following counties require this California smog inspection certification:

  • Alameda
  • Butte
  • Colusa
  • Contra Cost
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Los Angeles
  • Madera
  • Marin
  • Merced
  • Monterey
  • Napa
  • Nevada
  • Orange
  • Sacramento
  • San Benito
  • San Francisco
  • San Joaquin
  • San Luis Obispo
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Cruz
  • Shasta
  • Solano
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tahama
  • Tulare
  • Ventura
  • Yolo
  • Yuba

There are certain California counties that only require residents within specific zip codes to get California smog inspections. These counties are as followed

  • Sonoma
  • San Bernardino
  • El Dorado
  • San Diego
  • Placer

Learn More With Sprinter of Laguna Niguel

Our service shop can also help to get your vehicle ready with the necessary repairs to meet the smog check requirements when you schedule service with us in Laguna Niguel. If you have any questions regarding the California emissions test for diesel vehicles, please don’t hesitate to contact us at our service department.

 

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