Insider Pages Reviews for Santa Monica Smog Check & Test

5 Stars: Professional, fast & courteous service. (by MrS)

MrS — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I always dread getting my cars smogged. I have been to several places in the past looking for the lowest price. The time and effort to find out if the place is legit or not was always a worry. Read the reviews here and decided to give it a try.

I also have a vehicle older than 10 years. So additional CA State rules & fees apply. I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly, efficient and quick service. Communication was excellent and Bob explained the Smog printout in detail.

I will definitely go back next time the smog certificate is due again.

As the others have said before, don't forget to bring your coupon from their website.

1 Stars: They need the money; I always get retested. (by mcbremps)

mcbremps — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I have been to this smog test only station twice. The first time I had to get a retest for more money. Ask anybody who does smog tests and they will tell you that a retest should be free, no matter what. I took my car to the mechanic before the retest and they didn't do anything to it, they said it should pass. I went back and sure enough it passed. The second experience I went and my car failed. I took it to another station and it passed. I brought it back and they refused to give me a refund because they said anyone can pass depending on how they run the car during the test. This meant that they were making it fail so I had to pay more for a retest. They had poor service and unprofessional customer service. DO NOT GO HERE. A RETEST SHOULD BE FREE. TERRIBLE!

1 Stars: Failed to submit electronically to DMV, poor customer service (by datapunk)

datapunk — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I had been coming here for years for my smog checks and never had a problem until 2008. I misplaced my smog check paper work, but didn't think it would be a problem because the results are expected to be submitted electronically to the DMV. I spend 2 hours waiting in line at the DMV only to be told that they have no record of my smog check, and no electronic submission. At this point I went back to SM Smog Check to ask Bob if he could please print out another copy of the paper work and resubmit the test results I had already paid for, which was never properly submitted. I was basically told about how busy they were, how many cars they had to check, that it would be so difficult to find it, and a number of other excuses for why he basically didn't want to help me. Several times he asked what I did with my paperwork. If I knew, I wouldn't have been back there asking for another copy of my test results. I would have gladly paid him for his time even. Ultimately losing the paper work was my fault. However, SM Smog failed to submit my smog check to the DMV electronically, and ultimately failed in providing basic customer service in being reluctant to print me another copy of my smog check or offer any real assistance at all. In the future neither I nor my family will be taking our business here any longer.

5 Stars: The ONLY place to go for an accurate, trusted smog check service (by yes2no)

yes2no — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

My family and I have been coming to Santa Monica Smog Check on Pico for many, many years. I remember coming out with my grandpa to get his smog check certificate, as well as all my other relatives that have a car. I got adventurous once, and went someplace else to compare service and prices, and I can honestly tell you that the level of customer service and professionalism, the accuracy and fair prices at Santa Monica Smog Check are above and beyond all the other places in the area. I tell my friends and co-workers to go here because we have a whole generation backing up their service and honesty. You should try them, too. You too, will continue coming back!

5 Stars: Professional, easy and quick experience! (by danilh)

danilh — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I hate car issues. And I was especiially not looking forward to the prospect of perhaps having to put money into a 2002 car. Bob is such a pleasant guy, that upon entering I was immediately put at ease. I arrived at 11:15 on Friday and I was out by 11:45. The place is clean and efficient. What more could you want? The cost? $55 using the $10 coupon.

5 Stars: Smog Check Service (by buck2)

buck2 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Bob is the best. Professional and legitimate.!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

5 Stars: Friendly and Honest (by webbee)

webbee — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Being a recent transplant to Los Angeles from the Mid-west the whole smog-check thing was a mystery to me. I went here as it was the first search result from the internet, and I'm certainly glad I did! The gentleman was sweet, sincere and very helpful. He not only didn't condescend to make me feel clueless, he was very kind and explained not only the smog test results, but how to get to the DMV and complete my registration. Having a great impression from the start, I asked him if he knew a repair place for my headlight. He spoke to the garage next door for me and when I went over they were equally kind and honest! Never thought my first smog-check/mechanic experience in LA would be so stress-free and even pleasant!

5 Stars: Check it, the only way to smog (by christophermullen)

christophermullen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

For me, getting a smog check notice is like getting a jury duty summons, a drag, but you have to do it. I am glad I took the time to find out about Santa Monica Smog Check. If you must get a smog check, and you must to renew your registration, do it here. Don't even waste a second thinking about another place. They are right off the 10, near a park and a Farmer's Market on Saturdays. There are places to walk while you wait, like The Daily Pint, but you would only have time for 1 as they are really fast and really friendly. Bob handled everything for me and he could not have been more professional. There are other guys around, but again, this is far better than going to some dirty garage or gas station.

5 Stars: Fast, Friendly and Professional (by hapgoodnew)

hapgoodnew — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've never been to a smog check station where the customers were in a good mood before. Bob is friendly, professional, clear and concise. He sets the whole tone for the establishment. He is quick and happy to provide suggestion up and down the street of places to spendsome time while you're waiting for your car. I chose to sit in the clean waiting room and read the local paper. I pulled up at 1:10pm on a Friday without an appointment and was done at 1:35pm. Total cost was $55 after using the $10 off coupon on the website. It was almost too easy and painless.

5 Stars: I 'm not worried about smog checks anymore (by hamstersmiley)

hamstersmiley — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

the staff are very gentle, caring and focused. They will give you as much explanation as you need and they won't try to push you into unnecessary engine repair costs. The place is very clean and the smog check service is speedy. don't forget the Citysearch's $10 coupon when you're going there.

5 Stars: LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT SMOG TEST REQUIRED NOTICE! (by cityspace)

cityspace — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Not really. No one likes getting a smog test, but I don?t mind coming here. It took about 10 minutes and they are nice. Use the coupon and save $10 and try to pick an off time to go. They can get busy.

5 Stars: Great service (by bpyatak)

bpyatak — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Bob is so nice! I never had anyone explain my smog test results before. Service was fast and friendly, and the waiting area is clean and comfortable. (Can't say that for most of the places I've had smog checks done.) Price is fair especially with the Citysearch coupon. I would definitely recommend this place!

5 Stars: Honest, integrity and professional (by bwells3)

bwells3 — Fri, 11 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I read great comments on it and decided to try them out for my out of state smog check. Service was very professional and fast -- took me 20 minutes to do a smog check! And instead of making me wait in a boring room, he directed me to a few restaraunts in the area to get a bite while they worked on it. Aslo, after I passed, they thoroughly explained everything to me.

It's hard to find a good mechanic when moving to a new area, and I am definetely going to go to these guys for all of my service needs. Thanks a bunch!

5 Stars: Friendly and Helpful (by strade)

strade — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I picked this place because it was close to where I work. I stopped by after work without an appointment and less than a half hour later was on my way with my smog certification. Bob was very nice and explained in detail what all the numbers in the report meant (that's the first time any smog check station has even offered to explain to me!).

5 Stars: Honest, Reliable Service (by theoriginal7)

theoriginal7 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

This is the first review I've ever written, but I just had to comment on this place.
The guys there are helpful and explained to me step by step what was wrong with my car and what they would do to fix it. Bobby is friendly and has been working on my moms vehicles for over 15 years! I recommend this place to everyone but especially to women like myself who don't know much about cars but need honest service at a good price.

5 Stars: Professional Staff (by stephanie_m)

stephanie_m — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

If you want a professional staff, and quality service, you have to check out Santa Monica Smog Check. Every time I experience car trouble I pay the crew a visit and know my truck is in good hands. : ) Two Thumbs Up.

5 Stars: professional work (by zeeremtulla)

zeeremtulla — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THIS PLACE FOR 10 YEARS.THE GUYS THERE ARE PROFESSIONAL AT WHAT THEY DO AND THEY ANSWER MY CAR QUESTIONS AND GIVE ME GOOD ADVICE.

5 Stars: So great!!! (by shamrem)

shamrem — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

These guys are so quick...and the owner....what a handsome guy!!