Smog Test

Anyone remember what the cost was/is?

Trailrunner wrote:Anyone remember what the cost was/is?

A few weeks back I paid 400 pesos in Chapala Test Station

Thank you!

So what happens to older vehicle's that could never pass the smog test? As an example my old VW could never pass. They are very inefficient motors without catalytic converters, etc. I have never taken it in as I know it couldn't pass. I have never been given a ticket due to no smog sticker. I was pulled over last year for whatever reason and they only warned me about the color change. Do they exempt all the older vehicles?

In most places; probably also in Mexico, antique and other vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from emissions testing. However, if they are obviously blowing smoke and adding to the smog, they may be in need of a tune-up.

My '94 VW Bug has passed it the last two years, no problems.

Maybe no one fails it? Maybe it's just a money-maker?

Has anyone here failed the smog test?

windrider17 wrote:My '94 VW Bug has passed it the last two years, no problems.

I believe your 94' has a catalytic converter and FI. I am referring to the older ones that have carburetors and no cat. If these are passing then the test is a sham. Mexico City outlawed old VW taxi's for this very reason.

A friend has an old VW and she was told by the smog check station that there is a special sticker for her OLD car but they were out of them. She has returned several times and they never have a sticker - maybe it's special for older vehicles?

Jaja....yeah it is a "paid but doesn't pass" sticker. Thanks for the info.

My friend took his old jeep which has been parked for months in last week and it failed the test. He did not have to pay. He will get a tune up and give it another try.

What I saw written in Spanish at the Chapala smog test site was that you only had to pay if you pass. And if you don't pass you do not have to pay.

My 2014 car will pass. But I'm sure not buying a new stupid sticker with only 5 weeks to go; I'll wait til 2019. I'm a gambler! Pfffft.

I've been lakeside for more than 50% of the time on average since 1997. I usually get my smog check, but not always. I do not ever remember being stopped and inspected to see whether I had a smog sticker or not. And at the same time if you do get a ticket or warning, you have something like 10 days to get an inspection and sticker; and if you do, you are not fined.