Buying a Diesel Car in California

New Cars
You can't go out to a dealership and buy a brand new diesel Golf you've been lusting over today in California. CARB (California Air Resource Board) laws currently prohibit buying a new (under 7500 miles) diesel passenger car. The CARB laws were passed to protect people from the toxins, soot and NOx associated with petro diesel fuel. Ironically, you can buy new diesel trucks, including pickups in California.

Used Cars
Luckily diesel engines generally last much longer than their gasoline counterparts, so buying used is a viable option. Remember that any car, even used, must have 7,501 miles on it to be registered in California. The internet is crowded with people buying and selling cars- the best sites to check are:

cars.com
autotrader
ebay
craigslist

Buying a diesel car from out of State

If you buy a diesel car from out of state, it needs to have 7,501 miles on it. Since it's a diesel, you don't have to worry about smog requirements. Once the car is in your possession in California, you need to take the car and title (signed by the seller) to the DMV. The DMV will first verify your car by inspecting it-- make sure they note that it's a diesel. After that, paperwork consists of filling out the vehicle registration form and signing over the title. If you didn't pay sales tax to the seller, you must pay sales tax on the purchase price of the car along with the registration fee. You'll leave the DMV ready to go with plates and a sticker, and you'll get your new title in the mail a few weeks later.

If you buy a diesel from within the State of California, it is just like buying any other car.

Local Bio Vehicle dealers

There are a couple of local dealers who specialize in used TDI's in Southern California. They charge premium prices, but are repected local TDI mechanics who go over the cars with a fine tooth comb before selling them:
•Biomoto in Venice: (310) 570-0547
•Wild Rose Motors in Fullerton: (714) 449-0485

Lovecraft Biofuels often has Mercedes for sale that have been converted for SVO use.

Biobling connects people with environmentally conscious cars and the fuel to run them.