Read key takeaways from July’s meeting on access to OE service information, Smog Check Program improvements, fraudulent towing, enforcement stats and more
Sacramento, Calif.—The Bureau of Automotive Repair held its Advisory Group Committee Meeting, July 30. Jack Molodanof, legislative advocate for the California Autobody Association (CAA) and the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA), has provided a summary of the BAR meeting.
Below are key takeaways.
NASTF Helps Independent Repair Shops Gain Access OE Service Information
Donny Seyfer, the Executive Director of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) provided an overview on how NASTF helps independent repair facilities obtain the same service information, tools, training, and security access available to dealership technicians.
The presentation highlighted the role of the NASTF in identifying information gaps, resolving technical issues, and providing resources such as Service Information Requests (SIRs), reprogramming support, and OEM training.
The presentation also explained NASTF’s Vehicle Security Professional (VSP) and Assisted Immobilizer Reprogramming (AIR) programs, which allow vetted technicians to securely access immobilizer, key code, and vehicle security information while protecting consumers through strict verification procedures.
In addition, NASTF assists repair facilities that are improperly denied access to OEM parts from dealerships. See link for presentation.
BAR Report Shows Smog Check Program Improvements
BAR’s biennial Smog Check Performance Report concluded that California’s Smog Check Program continues to improve. Vehicles inspected by high-performing stations consistently fail roadside emissions testing less often than those certified by lower-performing stations, demonstrating that enforcement and performance monitoring are improving program effectiveness.
The report estimates that if all inspections were performed by high-performing stations, California could reduce emissions by an additional 44 tons per day — the equivalent of removing more than seven million vehicles from the road.
It also recommends strengthening STAR certification criteria, improving enforcement, streamlining legal cases, and enhancing roadside inspection programs. See this link for the presentation.
BAR to Modernize Smog Check Program Using Automated License Plate Reader Technology
BAR announced plans to modernize its roadside emissions survey program by incorporating Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology. The purpose is to improve the accuracy of roadside sampling, better evaluate the effectiveness of the Smog Check Program, and collect more representative emissions data.
The presentation emphasized that ALPR data will be used only for program evaluation purposes and that BAR’s privacy policy prohibits combining the information with DMV records containing personal information.
Deployment of the new technology is scheduled to begin with northern California survey teams in late 2026 before expanding statewide. See this link for the presentation.
BAR Enforcement Case Highlights Fraudulent Towing and Storage Practices
This case study examined a collision repair facility that became the subject of 31 consumer complaints involving alleged fraudulent towing and excessive storage charges. Following a formal investigation, BAR identified multiple violations of the Automotive Repair Act, including fraud, misleading statements, false promises, failure to provide required documents, and failure to issue final invoices.
Because of the seriousness of the misconduct, BAR sought and obtained an Interim Suspension Order to immediately suspend the shop’s registration. The Administrative Law Judge concluded the business had operated a predatory towing and storage scheme.
The presentation concluded by raising policy questions about how BAR and the Legislature can better address businesses that appear to exist primarily to engage in fraudulent towing and storage practices.
Suggestions from members included developing clearer statutory or regulatory definitions that distinguish legitimate automotive repair dealers, where vehicle storage is incidental to repairs, from businesses whose primary activity is towing and storage. See this link for the presentation.
BAR Complaint and Enforcement Statistics.
The enforcement statistics, detailing consumer complaints received by BAR in different categories, are as follows:
• Engine Repair 34%
• General Repair/Maintenance 18%
• Auto Body 15%
• Transmission 7%
• Vehicle Purchase 7%
• Smog 4%
• Used Car Lots 5%
• Towing and Storage 3%.
• Unlicensed activity 2%.
See this link for the handout presentation.
BAR Licensing Statistics.
A total of 35,390 automotive repair dealers are in the state. The average processing time for an Automotive Repair Dealer registration application is 24 days. See link for handout presentation.
The next BAR Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22.
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