SACRAMENTO – The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has increased the incentive amounts to retire or repair a vehicle through its Consumer Assistance Program. Income eligible consumers can now receive up to $2,000 to retire a vehicle or up to $1,450 for emissions repairs.
The Consumer Assistance Program offers consumers financial assistance to repair or retire their vehicle if it fails a Smog Check inspection. Consumers can also retire their vehicle even if it passes a Smog Check. The program is part of California’s larger effort to help improve California’s air quality and assist consumers.
“The Bureau of Automotive Repair is committed to supporting consumers in reducing vehicle emissions and improving California’s air quality,” said BAR Chief Patrick Dorais. “These increased incentives help Californians keep their vehicles compliant with Smog Check requirements and give them options to retire an aging vehicle.”
Other changes include allowing consumers to receive repair assistance more than once for the same vehicle. The vehicle retirement incentive for consumers who do not meet income eligibility requirements also has increased to $1,350. Applicants must meet eligibility and vehicle requirements to participate.
This table shows the assistance options available to consumers, the new incentive amount, and the prior incentive amount.
| Assistance Option | NEW incentive $ Amount
(Effective January 1, 2025) |
Prior incentive $ Amount |
|
Repair assistance Income-eligible consumers 1996 and newer vehicles |
Up to $1,450
in emissions repairs |
Up to $1,200 in emissions repairs |
|
Repair assistance Income-eligible consumers 1995 and older vehicles |
Up to $1,100
in emissions repairs |
Up to $900 in emissions repairs |
|
Vehicle retirement Income-eligible consumers |
Up to $2,000 | $1,500 |
| Vehicle retirement
Consumers without income eligibility |
$1,350 | $1,000 |
