San Jose: 1361 South Winchester Boulevard, Suite 206,
(408) 277-1860
South San Francisco: 395 Oyster Point, Suite 102, (650)
827-2074
Automotive Repair Program
From its headquarters in Sacramento and through 12 field
offices around California, the Bureau of Automotive Repair
(BAR) conducts consumer protection services related to
automotive repair. BAR registers and regulates automotive
repair dealers, accepts and resolves auto repair complaints
from the public, investigates violations of the Automotive
Repair Act and, when appropriate, refers cases to law
enforcement authorities. BAR also administers a statewide
licensing program of repair facilities and service technicians
in lamp and brake inspection and repair. BAR licenses
more than 34,000 auto repair dealers in California.
Smog Check Program
In 1982, California became the 20th state in the nation
to adopt a vehicle inspection and maintenance (Smog Check)
program. BAR is mandated by law to administer the Smog
Check program. There have been a number of program changes
over the years, but the goal of Smog Check remains the
same: to reduce air pollution produced by motor vehicles.
BAR licenses over 7,050 privately-owned Smog Check stations
and more than 15,000 Smog Check technicians, thereby
implementing the program through a decentralized system.
Consumer Complaints
Each year, BAR handles over 14,800 consumer complaints
involving auto repair. BAR's complaint resolution efforts
result in approximately $6.3 million being returned to
consumers in the form of direct refunds, rework of the
vehicle at no charge, or adjustments to the final bill.
If you wish to complain about an auto repair facility
or smog check station, you must file a written complaint
on BAR's standard form or use the online complaint form
(See "3
Ways to File A Complaint").
You may call the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
at 800-952-5210 to speak with a consumer information
specialist about filing a complaint or to obtain pre-printed
complaint forms.
