How much is reasonable amount of money to spend to diagnose the cause of a smog check failure on a 1996 Subaru Impreza?

Our car is at some garage that wants $200 to diagnose the smog test failure of my car. We are enrolled in a smog repair CAP program that pays only the first $500 of repairs and diagnosis. I dont know anything about this smog station our car is at because my girlfriend ran it in while I was sleeping. Now I'm trying to do the research while they have our car to see if $200 is too much. I think I might go pull it out if I can. I just thought most places don't charge as long as they do the repairs. Also I am not sure if they have internet or Google because they can't seem to find on of the oxygen sensor. The mechanic says he can't find it because it isn't in the same place as his car which is a different year make and model. I tried to explain to my girlfriend how rediculous this mechanic is for telling her this but she believes the mechanic. Are there any tips or guidelines when participating in smog repair programs like what to look for? Also what should she look for when seeking a reputable smog mechanic in California? Anyhow hopefully you folks have some advice for us since she believes this guy isn't soaking her. If these people sound legitimate im fine with the $200.

Answer:

Ok here's the deal... $200.00 to find out why your Subaru Impreza failed the smog check is reasonable. Usually a smog check repair station wants to charge at least 2 hours of labor to diagnose a smog check failure; at about $70.00 an hour. So $200.00 is reasonable but not the lowest price you could find.

More importantly however is this... If you are going through the CAP repair program to get your 1996 Subaru Impreza fixed you shouldn't have to pay anything to the smog station yet. You have to wait to get your CAP approval letter and then find a CAP Gold Shield smog repair station and they will fix your car for free. You may have to make a $20.00 or $100.00 co-payment (depending on your income level and whether your Subaru failed the smog check at a smog test only center or not), but that's it. You should not have to pay $200.00 for diagnosis. So you probably need to stop right now and pull your car out of the smog station immediately until you get CAP approval. Once you get it, find a Gold Shield CAP repair shop and take your Subaru in to them.

As far as reputable shops go... CAP Gold Shield stations are the best in the business and you should be confident you are getting the best service at a CAP repair shop, plus a CAP Gold Shield shop will be the ONLY type of smog repair center that can legally repair your Subaru under the CAP program; and get paid by the State of California once the repairs are made.

posted by SmogTips Support