Transferring Focust ST to family member in california

[Hellotalkie]

I own a 2014 Focus ST in Ohio with 19,500 miles and want to sell it to my dad. He's agreed to buy it from me but we are worried that it might not be able to register in California due to emission laws?

Under my hood, it says not to be sold in California, but I think that means when it's new. California only considers a new car to be 7,500 miles or less
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?...ntent_en/dmv/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29

But since my car is considered used, where does that leave us?
DMV doesn't really specify any details about the smog process for buying a used car out of state.


Any experts on smog laws with California?
Focus has no modifications, but its not a CARB model. Am I going to have issues with smog emission renewal?

 

[sdifox]

If it cannot pass cali emission test, you cannot register it in cali.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I have done this multiple times -

First, Give this car to your father. Her will pay no sales tax as it a family member giving it to him.

He will need to go to a Smog Only place and have it smog checked - hopefully the car is bone sock and has no modifications to it. I assume he lives in a county which requires cars to be smogged.

If the Smog Only does not have the proper software as newer cars are smog exempt for 5 or 6 years and software has not been issued for them to test it, he will need to go to a State Referee and have them test it. State Referees do not exist everywhere and booking an appointment could take a week or more.

Once he has his smog check done he can take the car to the DMV and have them inspect it and get it registered.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I have done this multiple times -

First, Give this car to your father. Her will pay no sales tax as it a family member giving it to him.

He will need to go to a Smog Only place and have it smog checked - hopefully the car is bone sock and has no modifications to it. I assume he lives in a county which requires cars to be smogged.

If the Smog Only does not have the proper software as newer cars are smog exempt for 5 or 6 years and software has not been issued for them to test it, he will need to go to a State Referee and have them test it. State Referees do not exist everywhere and booking an appointment could take a week or more.

Once he has his smog check done he can take the car to the DMV and have them inspect it and get it registered.

The car still has a lien on it with my credit union. Can't exactly gift it to him, but he is willing to just either pay it off or auto-deduct since the rate is so low (1.24%)

So the Focus won't have any issues passing smog? It's completely stock. Didn't know if it has a different catalytic converter than California made ones.

I think this would be a no-go if the car was considered new but since it has over 7500, i'm in the free and clear correct?

 

[SearchMaster]

You can "give" it to him without "giving" it to him - CA isn't really going to audit you heavily though there is potentially IRS gift tax for you giving him a $20K car and him giving you a $20K check.

It'll pass emissions just fine.

 

[NutBucket]

Right. You can't sell the car new in CA but since it's used you won't have any issues with smog.

 

[CZroe]

If it cannot pass cali emission test, you cannot register it in cali.

I don't think it's that simple.

When I brought my 49-state motorcycle from GA to CA I found out that it had to have 7,500 miles to register it and that it was exempt from CA emissions rules (encourages more tax-payers to move to CA). I believe it said I could then sell it and the exemption is transferable.

 

[sdifox]

I don't think it's that simple.

When I brought my 49-state motorcycle from GA to CA I found out that it had to have 7,500 miles to register it and that it was exempt from CA emissions rules (encourages more tax-payers to move to CA). I believe it said I could then sell it and the exemption is transferable.

Huh, I guess it is not as stringent as I understood it to be. We have no exemptions here. Smog test upon registration.

 

[CZroe]

Huh, I guess it is not as stringent as I understood it to be. We have no exemptions here. Smog test upon registration.

Well, motorcycles are exempt from the check in the first place but I was reading general vehicle registration rules. Though they are exempt, there is additional equipment required if it was sold new (50-state version).

 

[T2urtle]

Why cant you just give him the car and keep everything in your name. This will be my option IF your own state doesn't require to do emission testings or annual inspections.

 

[NutBucket]

Again, it's a non-issue since it's a used car.

 

[CZroe]

Again, it's a non-issue since it's a used car.

It isn't that simple.

 

[tweakmonkey]

It wasn't a California-manufactured car, but that doesn't mean it can't be brought into California. I bet you can just register/smog it and be done. It'll pass no problem if it's stock. If you're really unsure about it, go talk to the DMV.

 

[gus6464]

As long as it passes smog you are good. When I first moved to CA I had my 10 year old Hyundai Elantra which I bought in TX. To be able to register it in CA all I had to do was get a smog cert.

The shop that did my smog did tell me though that just because a car passes smog in another state doesn't mean they will also pass in CA. CA has stricter rules on their tests.