I have loved the fact that we have been exempt from smog testing in CA. This was because these cars would shut off when idling, so there was no way to do the tailpipe sniffer test. However, the latest test procedure/equipment just connects to the OBD to interrogate the internal diagnostics (along with a visual inspection to verify nothing has been tampered with). So, beginning with vehicles with registrations due in July, 2015, a smog test will be required every 2 years, and upon change of ownership. Fortunately, mine was renewed in June, so I am good for another two years (if it makes it that long given it has 370k miles on it now).
I have personally worked on a 2001 Prius that was losing oil. The miniVCI showed the rear O{2} sensor was following lock-step with the front. The catalytic converter was fubar. However, it also had a rear oil seal leak, the signature of overfilled oil changes. Eventually oil got on the torque limiter and the owner finally replaced it with a NHW20. That car also had 'noisy' steering torque sensors. So he had a switch that powered ON/OFF the power steering ECU. The only time it was turned on was at slow speeds when parking by his wife. Otherwise, it was off but he did a lot of highway driving. In Alabama the only vehicle inspection is make sure the VIN number matches the title when it is first registered. Bob Wilson
They started smogging Hybrids 8 years or older in Colorado this year. As long as the check engine light is off you should pass. (Colorado is now using the same OBD2 test California will implement that DOES NOT use a tailpipe sniff). If your CEL light is on and you have a P0420 error (catalytic converter) it will be expensive to fix in California. In Colorado we can use aftermarket Cats, in California I think you are stuck with OEM which is well over $1500.
I had my cat replaced with a generic several years ago, which cured the P0420, but I wasn't worried about passing smog at that time. I've never had an inspector lift a vehicle to inspect the cat, so as long as I have no code, I'm hoping I'll be ok.
I had my 2002 Prius smogged for the first time at 93,000 miles in California since it was required, and it passed, of course! Why wouldn't it? Love my Prius!
