Old Car Buy Back Program

Air quality in California has improved dramatically over the past 30 years, largely due to control of pollution from motor vehicles. However, air quality still does not meet health-based standards. Cars and trucks are the major source of smog pollution in Santa Barbara County, and older vehicles cause much more air pollution than newer ones. This program is designed to take older vehicles off the road to reduce air pollution from this source. A licensed auto dismantler will permanently destroy (i.e. crush) cars and trucks voluntarily retired under this program.

Download this information as a fact sheet (PDF file) here.  For the fact sheet in Spanish, click here.

The APCD will pay $800 for your older vehicle if it meets the requirements below.

This voluntary accelerated vehicle retirement program is sponsored by APCD. It is not operated by the State of California. Your participation is entirely voluntary.  Incentives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are exhausted.

Eligibility

The following requirements must be met.

1. The vehicle must be a gasoline-powered passenger car, light or medium-duty pickup truck, or van, model year 1988 or older with gross vehicle weight not to exceed 10,000 pounds.  (Please note:  Diesel vehicles are not eligible for the Old Car Buy Back program.)
    
2. The vehicle must have a current California registration as an operable vehicle to an address or addresses in Santa Barbara County and have been so registered for at least two consecutive years prior to being purchased by the APCD.
   
   a.  A vehicle may also be eligible if the owner of the vehicle placed the vehicle in planned non-operational status per Vehicle Code section 4604, et seq., for a total of no more than 2 months during the continuous 24 month registration period, occurring at least 3 months prior to the date of sale to the APCD.  
   
   b.  A vehicle may also be eligible if the registration has lapsed for a period not to exceed 180 days during the previous 24 months and all appropriate registration fees and late penalties have been paid to the DMV, provided that the vehicle is registered for at least 90 days immediately prior to its date of sale to the APCD. 
    
3. You must have a clear title with no liens or violations.
    
4. Smog Checks must be performed as required by the DMV in order for the vehicle to be considered registered.*  The following smog requirements must be met:
   
   a.  The vehicle is not operating under a smog check repair cost waiver or economic hardship extension.
   b.  The vehicle has not failed a smog check within 61-90 days of the next required smog check.
   c.  A vehicle within 60 days of its next required smog check must take and pass smog check inspection test prior to selling vehicle to the APCD.
   
   *    Vehicles model year 1974 or older are not required by the DMV to pass a smog check in order to be registered, therefore they do not have to pass a smog check to be eligible for this program.
    
5. The vehicle to be retired shall be driven to the inspection station site under its own power and shall pass a functional and equipment eligibility inspection as outlined below:

• All doors must be present and in place.
• The hood shall be present and in place.
• The dashboard shall be in place.
• Windshield shall be present and in place.
• The driver's seat must be present and in place.
• Interior pedals shall be operational.
• The vehicle must have one bumper and all side and/or quarter panels shall be present and in place.
• Vehicle drivability must not be affected by any body, steering or suspension damage.
• Exhaust system shall be present.
• One headlight, one taillight and one brake light shall be present and in place.
• One side window glass shall be present and in place.  
• The vehicle must be driven under its own power to the inspection station where it must pass driving, acceleration, and braking tests.
• The vehicle engine must start with key in ignition switch without the use of starting fluids or external booster batteries
• The vehicle must be able to drive forward and in reverse for a minimum of 25 feet.

The APCD maintains a Vehicle Inventory for classic car collectors or others interested in purchasing 1988 and older vehicles or their parts that are intended for scrapping under this program. As vehicles are entered in this inventory, they will be posted here.

How to Get Started & Who to Call

• To see if your vehicle may be eligible for the program and to find out more about the process for retiring your vehicle please visit  the Old Car Buy Back web site.
• For general information, questions, and complaints, call Mr. Antoine Assioun at (800) 717-7624, or email business@sbcapcd.org.

If Your Vehicle Fails Smog Check

If your vehicle has failed its Smog Check Inspection, contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair Consumer Assistance Program. The Consumer Assistance Program is available for people who need financial assistance making repairs to their vehicle when it fails the Smog Check Inspection. For more information on the Smog Check Consumer Assistance Program options, call 1-800-952-5210.