Santa Monica Smog Check & Test

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!

10/25/08

Failed to submit electronically to DMV, poor customer service

by datapunk at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: In Santa Monica
• Cons: Failed to submit results to DMV, poor customer service.

10/13/08

The ONLY place to go for an accurate, trusted smog check service

by yes2no at Citysearch

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!

• Pros: Honest, professional service, fair pricing ...USE THE COUPON!

09/27/08

Professional, easy and quick experience!

by danilh at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Professional, quick
• Cons: None

08/01/08

Smog Check Service

by buck2 at Citysearch

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

07/30/08

Friendly and Honest

by webbee at Citysearch

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!

07/14/08

Check it, the only way to smog

by christophermullen at Citysearch

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.

04/06/08

Fast, Friendly and Professional

by hapgoodnew at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Competative prices, polite, clean, fast, easy
• Cons: None