View BAR’s latest numbers for auto service and repair licenses, top business types and complaint trends
Sacramento, Calif.—The following statistics have been provided by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Licensing Summary (as of February 2021)
| License1 Type | Number of Registrants/Licenses |
|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer2 | 35,129 |
| Smog Check Station | 7,020 |
| Brake Station | 888 |
| Lamp Station | 867 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 13,698 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 6,869 |
| Brake Adjuster | 1,114 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 960 |
| STAR Station3 | 3,651 |
1 California Business and Professions Code section 23 defines “license” as a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by the code.
2 An automotive repair dealer holds a registration to conduct business in California.
3 A licensed Smog Check station holds a STAR certification if it meets certain performance criteria established in BAR regulations.
Top Business Types (as of February 2021)
Business types are provided by automotive repair dealers upon licensure or renewal. Licensees seeking to update their business type information can complete a Name/Address/Corporate Officers or Directors form.
| Primary Business Types | Secondary Business Types |
|---|---|
| 1. General Repair | 1. General Repair |
| 2. Auto Body/Paint Shop | 2. Smog Check Station |
| 3. Smog Check Station | 3. Automotive Diagnostic Center |
| 4. Tire Shop | 4.Tune-Up/Oil and Lube |
| 5. New/Used Car Dealer | 5. Brake/Front End Alignment Shop |
| 6. Mobile Automotive Repair | 6. Tire Shop |
| 7. Transmission Repair Shop | 7. Service Station |
| 8. Service Station | 8. Engine Rebuilding/Repair |
| 9. Tune-Up/Oil and Lube | 9. Mobile Automotive Repair |
| 10. Used Car Dealer | 10. Auto Body/Paint Shop |
Complaint Trends (July – December 2020)
| Trend | Total Received | % |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Repair and Performance Repair, diagnosis, cooling systems, fuel systems, etc. | 1,993 | 33% |
| General Repair and Maintenance Brakes, suspension, steering, air conditioning/heat, etc. | 1,100 | 18% |
| Auto Body Auto body repair, auto glass, etc. | 796 | 13% |
| Other Motorcycle repair, improper lien sales, etc. | 627 | 10% |
| Transmission Automatic transmission, manual transmission/clutch, etc. | 454 | 8% |
| Smog Smog repair, test procedures, etc. | 361 | 6% |
| Used Car Transactions | 336 | 6% |
| Vehicle Warranty | 177 | 3% |
| Unlicensed Activity | 165 | 3% |
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