This is a general guide and not intended as legal advice.
Smog Certification
As the Registered Owner it was your responsibility, when selling your vehicle when it was over four years old, to provide proof of a current smog certification, unless the vehicle registration was renewed with the California DMV within the past 90 days. Proof of smog certification will also not be required if the Title to the vehicle is being transferred to another family member.
As the Registered Owner it was also your responsibility to ensure the vehicle passed smog certification. If your vehicle was sold without a current smog certificate and your vehicle did not pass the emissions test, the transfer of ownership to the new buyer could not be completed, and you would be held responsible for the repair of your vehicle until it could pass the smog certification standards before the transfer of ownership could be completed.