A judge suspended the license of Los Angeles-based automotive repair dealer Industry Smog for performing fraudulent vehicle safety systems inspections and issued 15 certificates of compliance without performing the required inspections, according to a news release. 

The violations were uncovered during an investigation by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) investigation. The suspension was granted by an Administrative Law judge in response to a BAR petition filed to protect consumers.

BAR said in the news release that automotive repair dealers engaging in fraudulent activity and allowing unsafe vehicles on the road threatens both the physical and financial safety of Californians. Vehicles that have been repaired after being declared a total loss by an insurance company, known as revived salvage vehicles, must pass a safety systems inspection before they can be registered with the DMV and driven on roadways. Certificates of compliance issued without the required safety systems inspection can lead to unsafe total-loss vehicles being back on the road, posing serious dangers to Californians in communities across the state. 

Industry Smog’s license suspension is the third Los Angeles area repair facility suspended in three months as a direct result of BAR investigations. In July, Ponce’s Smog Check’s license was suspended for issuing 12 fraudulent certificates of compliance and in June, Danny’s Test and Repair Inc.’s license was suspended for issuing 10 fraudulent certificates of compliance. 

The interim suspension orders will remain in place until associated pending disciplinary actions are resolved. BAR is seeking to revoke the licenses of all three businesses. Californians with concerns about automotive repair work performed on their vehicle are encouraged to file a complaint with BAR online.