Santa Monica Smog Check & Test

06/17/11

This place is a rip-off

by ducatist at Citysearch

I wish I checked some reviews before using Santa Monica Smog test because I would have saved myself a lot of time, money and grief. $65 for the first test 25 for the second plus 25 for a certificate. This place is a TOTAL RIP-OFF.

I believe another person stated that if your car is older than 5 years this place will fail you. I found this to be true and like all other places...NO FREE RETEST.

Needless to say they failed me. Not because I didn't pass the smog test because it passed both 15 and 25 MPH smog test but the tech said 1 emission hose was faulty. I had to go down to Signal Hill so I decided to ask Dodge about the hose. The machanic took a look and asked why did I think the hose is bad. When I showed him that Santa Monica Smog failed me because of it he was shocked and stated,"There is nothing wrong with the hose". I decided to buy 3 ft. hose and installed it. (I wish I could upload a picture of the old hose to show everyone that the hose is fine.)

When I went back and told them Dodge said the hose was fine and showed them the old hose they responded with, "the dealer doesn't know about emission lines". WOW...unbelievable so the dealer who works on Dodge cars and trucks can't tell if a hose is bad. Who are you trying to fool here? Both myself and the people there knew they were caught however they still would not retest for free.

They retested and surprise, surprise the dynomometer put out the exact same numbers as before...no variance. NONE. What does that tell you. New hose, old hose the dyno put out the same numbers. When I memtioned this the person behind the desk he said he would give me a $10 discount. The same $10 discount he probably gives everyone since there is a coupon online.

There are so many places doing smog checks for $40. Save your money and peace of mind go somewhere else.

THIS PLACE IS A RIP OFF

05/19/10

IT TOOK TO DAM LONG - and a HUNDRED $ if you fail

by Paullly at Citysearch

I have 4 cars and I do a lot of smog checks. This place was near the DMV where I tried to register this car.

This old gas station had a line of people waiting and it ended up taking a very long time to get smogged. The people were first rate, very clean place.

The price was higher than any other smog shop I have been to. And the retest was I think, another 40 bucks if you fail, making the total over a HUNDRED BUCKS.

Overall the car passed but it took too long and too expensive.

• Pros: Very professional, and clean
• Cons: Long wait, took 45 minutes, too expensive

10/30/09

I agree they need the money

by TLover at Citysearch

I should have read the reviews here first, because my one visit became a week long hassle.

Like others here, I didn't pass the first time. I took my car to my mechanic, he was shocked it didn't pass, said he couldn't really do much, and suggested I drive it for a 1/2 hour before I take it back (I previously had taken it cold). Sure enough I take it in the morning for the retest after driving from Hollywood, and it passes by 15 or 20 points. All the while they were giving me the business about how there machines don't fail people, yada yada.

I almost didn't want to go back to them for the restest, but with the intitial test, a $10 off coupon I found, and the retest it was $75, so it was a little cheaper than if I went some place else.

They must be the only place in town, that doesn't give free retests.

• Pros: Act like your friend
• Cons: Everything else

04/09/09

Professional, fast & courteous service.

by MrS at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Good communication, friendly & efficient.

02/26/09

They need the money; I always get retested.

by mcbremps at Citysearch

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!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: They failed me on-purpose!