Autos

Article authored by Matt Woodcheke, Consumer Connection staff Question: My car needs expensive repairs to pass Smog Check and I don’t know if I should put money into it or cut my losses. What do you recommend? Answer: The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers a…

Regulation and oversight help keep consumers—and their cars—safe Having car trouble is trouble enough; getting it fixed shouldn’t be. That’s because, decades ago, California enacted robust car-repair legislation to protect you and your vehicle—protection that continues strong today. FIXING PAST PRACTICES In the early and mid-20th century, if you had…

Smog Check stations caught using “clean gassing” to issue fraudulent certificates SACRAMENTO, CA – The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has filed, for prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office, accusations against nine Smog Check stations because investigations showed them to be issuing fraudulent certificates. Through analysis of Smog Check Program…

New Bureau of Automotive Repair Program Sends Cars to Schools Your clunker car could be put to good use in the classroom. The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) new Cars for Schools program provides retired vehicles to public high schools, community colleges, and regional occupation programs, offering students the opportunity…

The Internet of things. Maybe that’s not a phrase you’re familiar with, but you’re likely very familiar with what it describes. Your phone, your television, any smart device at all- all these things are networked together to empower and convenience you in the Internet of things. And coming soon: your…

Winter is here.  Is your car ready for the hazardous driving conditions that it brings?  Now’s the time to get your vehicle in tip-top shape and make sure it can brave the harsh wintry elements. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, bad weather—excessive fog, rain, ice and snow,…

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) recently hosted visitors from the Korean Transportation Safety Authority for a frank conversation about smog. For Peel by DCA coverage of the visit, check out the video below. South Korea’s emissions program for light-duty vehicles is based on California’s Smog Check system, and…

Program assists consumers with special emission situations The Smog Check Program is a critical part of the state’s strategy to improve the air quality in California. Addressing any issues identified during your vehicle’s Smog Check is an important contribution you can make toward this effort and ensures we all breathe…

State and consumer efforts have cut black carbon by 90% Californians have made significant progress in reducing our exposure to harmful air pollutants over the past few decades with the help of regulations and programs based on sound science. In fact, according to the California Air Resources Board, black carbon…

When it comes to authorizing work to be done on a vehicle, new regulations adopted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) will allow automotive repair dealers to provide their customers with more ways to say “go.” BAR’s new electronic regulations allow consumers to authorize work to be done on…