Instant Smog Check And Repairs

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Sam Miles
4 months ago
So glad that I stumbled upon this place! Needed a smog check for my car, and just pulled into the first place I saw. The supervisor, Art, was so friendly and made me feel right at home. These guys know how to take care of their customers. Thanks for the great experience!

  Molly Knop
11 months ago
Great guys. Super nice and accommodating. I needed a smog check now to register but was saving up to get my car's brakes fixed as they were about to go. I didn't ask them to check because I didn't know they did brakes. The guys checked my brakes anyway . Once they saw how dangerous my brakes were, they worked with me to get it fixed and paid for. So nice! Thank you!!Services: General repairs & maintenance, Brakes

  Cynthia Garcia (Buxton)
6 months ago
My usual smog place couldn t do my smog so I went to here. They are quick and reasonable priced. David was super quick and nice. They now have my business.

  Jonny Morrow
8 months ago
Best in San Diego! I can t recommend these guys enough. Carlos was outstanding helping me get my 40 year old Toyota truck to pass smog all while providing outstanding customer service. Thank you Carlos! Instant Smog is very fortunate to have you!

  Maile Davis
a year ago
Great customer experience, super communicative, very reasonable prices, fast and efficient! Couldn t be happier with my decision to get my brake pads replaced here. Definitely coming back if my car ever needs repairs.

  Matthias Quellenberg
a year ago
This is my regular spot. They always take good care of me and provide an honest consultation.This is not one of those shops where you go in for something and they mysteriously find all sorts of stuff wrong with you car so they can charge you extra.These guys are just amazing. Shout out to Nancy the manager.They also have a U-Haul dealership here.

  Cory Britt
6 months ago
Watch out for this place, very dishonest. I called ahead to ask pricing for a smog check and brought it in the next day, they charged me $40 more than they told me on the phone.

  Matt Longo
5 months ago
Fast service. In and out oil change in 20 mins. Another great job!

  Z T
2 years ago
Excellent Service. Guys who work here are great. Explained everything they were doing and all that was going on. Art was very quick and efficient with the repairs, getting my part and getting my car fixed in an hour at a fair price. Recommend these guys 10/10.

  Lala Thomas
a year ago
Great people working there. I thought I might have had a problem with my brakes. The gentleman there checked them out for me and turns out it was just dust. There was no problem. He only charged me $20 to take down my wheels and check it out. He could have made up something and charged me an arm and a leg but he didn't, he was honest and I appreciate that!

  Mitch Nodland
a year ago
Pulled up in a Ford Transit van (Amazon style). Was told the price since it was regular gas would be the price on the sign. No extra. Filled out paperwork, waited 30 minutes, then I was told it would be $60 (instead of $39) because it was bigger. I left strictly out of principle and found a highly rated place just down the street for $55.

  Jorge M
a year ago
A friend went to get a smog and oil change and she said that they had great service and great prices! They were very friendly, understanding and helpful. Great spot

  dvdrfg
3 years ago
Great service. Got. a smog test and oil change and they also did a free maintenance check and found the cause of the noise from my brakes. They did the smog test and brakes and oil change in under 2 hours. Prices were very fair and mechanic gave me accurate advice. I trust them to do all my card now.. Only negative is the waiting room is very small.Services: Brakes, Smog certification, Oil change

  Leilani Yvellez
2 years ago
Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Art assisted me and kept me informed of what needed to be done every step of the way. Explained things in detail that was easy to understand for someone like myself who does not have much car knowledge. Highly recommend.

  Mad Habitz
a year ago
Used the U-haul service that these guys provide. I have never had an easier experience renting and returning a U-Haul. Definitely recommend if you are on a time crunch such as myself.

  Jill Winkler
4 years ago
I always come here for my oil changes. I always experience the best customer service and help! I pay around $30 for an oil change. I have also rented a U-Haul with them multiple times and have had great experiences as well.

  Nemo Thompson
11 months ago
I really like this spot. They provide brilliant service at a low price. Carlos is best smog mechanic!

  Greg Bechtol
6 months ago
Great job! Smoged my Prius next is my RV..!!

  Brandon Walsh
3 years ago
Very unprofessional. The said my truck failed due to sensors relaying codes that there were issues. The dealer got truck and said there were not issues. Took it back based on Carlos saying I could bring it in to double check but then got there and he refused to recheck the truck, saying that he felt it wasn't going to pass ... no test, no check engine lights, no issues.... just a hunch. Now I'm stuck with still no result. Very unprofessional when there is equipment to verify if a car is certified to run in CA or not and turn away good business without reason. Better options available.Services: Smog certification, Emissions testing

  Mario Roberti
5 years ago
these guys rock! I've been bringing my car there for 10 years now. Ever since I bought it and I had to get my first smog. They've never done me wrong. As a matter of fact I saw a previous employee who no longer works there getting his car done there. If that doesn't prove how great the place is, I don't know what does. Top marks!

  Joe
2 years ago
The mechanic literally spent an hour and half doing diagnostics just to realize the issue was only a blown fuse. Car repair 101 check the fuses first. Charged me $130 for his incompetence, I'll never go here again!

  Kathleen Lennon
2 years ago
Thank you Instant Smog Check and Repairs - you are the best! My daughter took her out-of-state vehicle in for a smog inspection in February 2021 and was very happy with the friendliness and efficiency of your staff. Today, May 26, 2021, Nancy, the manager, was super helpful in locating my daughters smog check vehicle inspection report from February after the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) lost it during the COVID closures of government offices this last February. Nancy went way beyond her duties in locating the paperwork and in helping us resolve this issue. Thank you all for your help, my daughter will be referring all of her San Diego friends to you!Service: Emissions testing

  Katherine Whitley
3 years ago
Quick and very professional. Watch out for curb on Lamont street entering facility. You can tell many have hit it. I did and flattened tire. They were helpful, but dangerous curb

  Zac Adler
2 years ago
AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I have had my vehicle for 15 years. It has passed smog every single year that we have had it in our family. We bought it from a dealership and have not added anything aftermarket. I took my vehicle to this place and they told me one of my parts, which was a dinan cold air intake was illegal (a part that we bought installed from the dealership). He failed me for a smog when it should have passed. He then called me the next day to tell me he had a part that would pass and would do the labor if i paid. He then said he would pass me for the smog. This guy told me he modded cars. I assume he was trying to steal parts from my car. I refused his shady proposal and took my car to another smog place where it passed the first time with no issues. This business is SHADY and SLEEZY. Trying to prey on people that dont know much about cars. AVOID AVOID AVOID. I will be reporting this business.Service: Emissions testing

  Michael Botkin
6 years ago
I've had these guys smog both my truck and Mercedes. In addition I referred my Dad to them to smog his two cars. Took my Jeep in for a smog check, and after completing the check they told me that the Jeep passed the smog check but they were going to fail me anyway because I have an aftermarket air filter without a California compliant sticker (which use to be there). Then they told me that I owe $50. When I asked them why they ran the test when they they saw the sticker was missing and knew would not pass. There answer? Because we don't have to tell you. They would not let me have my keys until I paid their ransom. Total ripoff!Took the Jeep to another smog check in PB. They lifted the hood and told me there was no California sticker and then went to the internet and looked up the air filter and confirmed that it was legal. Jeep passed! They also told me that at their shop if you don't pass you don't pay.

  DRAGOS CRACIUN
9 years ago
Needed to find another SMOG center since my car is older than 2000 and my usual guy does not take older cars. Bad experience from start to end. Arrived the guy was out at lunch, the young lady did not know when he was coming back. I dropped the car (no other cars were waiting at that point). I was called 2 hours after told that the car was ready. Arrived there the guy told me that he couldn't pass it since a hose was lose. He showed me the hose that I plugged back in but now there was a line and I was 4th in line. Left the car, I was called 1.5 hours after. The car was finally ready but I was charged an extra $10 for passing a second time. The girl did not have any change ... Will definitely avoid the place in the future.

  Jesse Menczer
8 years ago
I've never left a bad review before. These guys suck. They made me wait for 30 minutes because the guy couldn't find the emissions sticker. It turns out, you don't need the sticker, they can look it up on the book. Apparently they'd rather make their customers wait, rather than check a book that takes 2 minutes (I know this because the smog station I eventually took it to also couldn't find the sticker, but simply checked the book). These fraudsters failed my car saying the ODBii readiness was not set. I believed them, paid $52 and left. I checked with dealer and with other smog stations, all ODBii must be "ready" except the evaporative system, which is not mandatory. That's the only thing that failed on my car. Best case is that these guys are clueless. Worst case of that they are intentionally stealing your money.I went to a competitor on North park, paid $40, didn't have to wait for incompetence, they understood the codes, and got me on my way. AVOID this smog station.

  PB Pablo
2 years ago
My regular spot for an oil change or smog. Reasonable prices and usually work is completed while you wait. Pleasant and knowledgeable staff.

  Doreen Egerer
a year ago
Went here for a smog test & everyone was very nice & professional. In & out in less than 30 minutes.

  Lindsay Castro
4 years ago
Awful awful awful!!!!! The mechanics were so unbelievably rude and unprofessional. Went in for an oil change and they tried to keep my car overnight. The minute my boyfriend talked to them everything was magically okay with my car... 100% was trying to take advantage. Won t ever be back there again!!