2001 Honda Accord failed smog check 3 times

My father's car needs to pass biennial smog check and went to three separate smog check shops. After failing the check at the first two shops, the third performed a limited inspection based on information provided by my father regarding what the previous two shops explained as to why his car could not pass inspection.

The smog checks performed by all three repair shops were free of charge because the technicians determined that they were unable to make repairs necessary in order to pass a smog check. All recommended that my father increase the amount of miles he drives in order to reset the engine. He followed their recommendation, after each failed smog check he put more miles on the car. This went on over several months. When he failed test at the third shop and again told to put more miles on the car, he decided to resolve the problem by going to another smog repair shop fix that guaranteed ability to fix the problem, despite that past three places told him the problem was irreparable and putting more miles on the car was the only way to fix it.

The shop he found in Yellow Pages guaranteed smog check pass. He gave the technician a detailed explanation of what transpired over past few months, (the three failed smog checks, the fact that the issue could not be fixed by a technician and the repeated recommendation to put more miles on the car). The technician then performed a smog check after assuring my father that he could fix the problem. He was charged $60 for the smog check. The technician estimated the repair cost at 70$, then revised estimate up to 250$.

After my father paid 60$ and left the car there, he followed up and the technician was very vague as to when the car would be repaired and whether the problem was fixable, which makes no sense considering he gave an estimate for the repair. My father who is 86 years old, took the car back because of this. Was this charge illegal? Potential elder abuse? What are next steps to get his car to pass smog test?

Answer:		The first thing we recommend doing is looking over the "work order" which the smog station should have given your father when he left his Honda Accord for diagnosis/repairs. The smog check repair process involves first getting a diagnosis from a smog check repair smog station. They will charge you a fee (usually 1-2 hours of labor rate). Once the diagnosis is done the smog station will give you an estimate of the repairs involved. Be weary of smog stations which will tell you right away that they are "for sure" the problem is such and such and quote you a repair price without even looking at your car. A reputable smog station will conduct a through diagnosis and only quote a repair price after they have ensured they've conducted as thorough diagnosis as possible. Most importantly everything promised by the smog station and everything you agree to must be indicated on a work order, and sign by the vehicle's owner (or a party responsible for the vehicle). Should you notice inconsistency between what you are charged and what is indicated on your work order you are encouraged to contact and report the incident to the Bureau of Automotive Repairs Field Inspections Unit. You can reach someone at (800) 952-5210. posted by SmogTips Support