The purpose of the
Vehicle Buy Back program is to reduce air pollution by taking older, more highly polluting vehicles off the road. If a vehicle can’t be driven because it isn’t registered or doesn’t pass a smog check, it isn’t on the road emitting air pollution. Therefore, only vehicles that are roadworthy, registered, and have passed their biennial smog check inspection can meet this requirement and qualify for funding.
If your vehicle has recently failed a smog check or does not meet the
Vehicle Buy Back program requirements, you can contact the
California Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Consumer Assistance Program at 1-866-272-9642.
The Consumer Assistance Program provides financial assistance for people who would like to retire or repair their vehicle when it fails the smog check inspection.