Speedy Smog

10/​03/​2015
Time for car registration so needed a smog check this year. Came in and no waiting. Irik resistered me and took my car in right away. It didn’t pass due to the on board computer had reset recently, not enough miles yet to self evaluate. Irik explained it all and advised me what I needed to do before getting a retest. He took the time so that I could completely understand. Very friendly and courteous.

I have taken multiple vehicles here. The location is convenient. However, I have seen enough to decide that this is a business to avoid and I will never be using their services again.
First, their prices are way too high. $ 100 here is $ 40 or less at other smog stations nearby.
Second, I have witnessed unprofessional conduct by the employees numerous times. Yelling at customers, etc.
Third, and this was the dealbreaker for me, was when I tried to get my car smogged here last. I had to get it smogged quick because I was going out of town and the car would be staying where I was driving. Summary of the disappointment:
–Replaced both 02 sensors a couple days prior
–Drove around for a little bit to ready the system
–Took it here to Speedy Smog and left it for a test
–Came back to have the (rude) technician tell me that it failed because a few of the monitors weren’t «ready» yet
First of all, why is it not standard procedure to check the system readiness before a test? The technician ran the test anyway, and thus snagged me on the hook for $ 93 when I had to leave. This is just dishonest business practice, even if there is a free retest. It literally takes 1 minute to check the readiness with a handheld scanner.
I took it to another smog place nearby that had testing equipment with newer technology the same day and got it smogged no problem, for way cheaper.
The other Nick M. on here had a similar experience funnily enough. The owner responded with «Placing a one star review for a locally owned, small business that is following STATE LAW because you are unhappy with the outcome is extremely unfair». It’s STATE LAW to take someone’s money knowing that the vehicle won’t pass the latter portions of the test? I would expect small niceties like these that look out for the customer from a «locally owned, small business».

Unscrupulous and disingenuous business. Would not go back.
I took my car in for an emissions test, knowing that I had to repair a faulty fuel tank sensor which was causing the check engine light to go on. The technician let me drop off the car and pay for the test, knowing full well that if the check engine light was on, the car would automatically fail the on-​board diagnostic portion of the test (even if emissions were fine and visual inspection was OK). He did not let me know ahead of time, or tell me to get the problem fixed before paying for a test. He happily took the money for the test, though.
Terribly usurious and a great way to get customers never to come back. Thanks a lot, Speedy.

I wish I could actually give a review but I cannot. I am a manager at a car rental company and have a fleet of vehicles that need service. I stopped in to see what time this place closed. I learned they were open until 6pm which worked well with my schedule because I had to go back to Oakland to pick up the car that needed a smog. It was 4:30pm when I asked the guy if I brought a car back within the hour if I could get a smog and he emphatically said «yes!» I went back to Oakland and brought the car back within the hour, however, when I arrived the same guy said that they closed at 6pm and there was another car in front of me and they wouldn’t be able to help me because they closed at 6pm.
I was slightly confused because that is not what he told me an hour before. Had he said he may be able to help me I may not have made the trip to Oakland then back to Alameda. I even told him I had come all the way back from Oakland and I’m sure they could do something to help me out. Apparently, they could not. When I Unilocaled them and saw only 3 stars I was not surprised at all.
I’d like to give a fair review but I didn’t even get the chance to do that and probably will never go back there again. It’s too bad because I have an entire fleet of cars that will need service.

Pretty awful service. I decided to go to Speedy Smog (~20 min drive) because my boss recommended it to me as a good place to get a smog check done. It was towards the end of the day so I decided to call ahead of time to make sure that they would be able to see me in time before closing (5pm on Thursdays). I was told that as long as you arrive before 4:45, you will be taken care of. So I made the trip out there, arrived at ~4:35, and was told that I could not be seen today. So I ended up wasting 45 minutes of time (not to mention gas) due to their miscommunication/​negligence.

Great service! Quick and efficient. Front desk man was good! Go here for ease and grace with smog check.

I called all the Alameda STAR certified Smog Check stations and received a variety of price quotes. When I talked to Anthony (the owner) at Speedy Smog, he said he would match the price of any other place. He apologized that his tech wasn’t available until 3 yesterday, Saturday, which actually worked out better for me. I do recommend calling first just to make sure their tech is there. I believe they are open every other Sunday — so call to see if the Sunday you want to go is the one they’re open. I took my car in, walked to the library to hang out, and came back when they said the car would be ready and it was. They do have a small waiting room, but not where I wanted to sit for an hour. By the way, they have a sign posted (and this is true at every other smog check place) that you have to pay even if your car fails. It’s a bummer, but not a reason to give them a negative review!

Tip of the day — DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE! Not only is it triple the price that you can get it at other places, but they are rude and have horrible business practices. $ 93 for a smog check! $ 29 at other places with great service.

My Machanic recommended speedy for the smog check I needed (real people referrals are unbeatable). I went on Unilocal and was uncomfortable to see all the negative reviews but I trusted Sam’s referral.
Guess what? Everything went smoothly! The front desk guy said 20 – 30 minutes and stood for it. Anthony, the guy I spoke over the phone with when I called for availability said he will price match and they did. Simple, just like I wanted.
I recommend them and thanked my Machanic, Sam from Sk auto.

I’m not one to waste time on negativity however after wasting an hour of my Saturday morning, I’m a little aggravated. I arrived at 8:35 and there was already a lady there waiting. She said she spoke to an employee the day before who told her to come at 8:30 when they open to get her car serviced so she could be on her way for her out of town trip. While I was waiting in the parking lot I doubled check the website hours. She waited until 8:50 then left… I hung around until 9:20 and still no one showed. I left and went to Speedy’s in San Leandro and was in and out in 30 min — As I sat down to write this review I see the Alameda location website hours have now been changed to 9:00 am on Saturdays… great then they would’ve only been 20 – 25 minutes late opening. Won’t go back there.

Can I give 0 stars? Although this place is super pricey for smog, it was convenient, so I went. I was there a little before 8am and stayed there for a good 30 mins. No one showed up! I checked the door for shop hours to make sure it wasn’t my mistake, and it said they open at 8am. I definitely will not be coming back! I am fine with someone being a little late, but this is extreme. It says a lot about how they do business!

Someone recommended this place to me so I figured I’d give it a try. The guy working on my car was nice enough. After the check, my car ended up failing. I was stressed because I didn’t bring in the coupon. Therefore I paid $ 90 for a failed smog check. He told me that I had 30 days to return and get it checked again for free. When I came back 2 weeks later, I had another guy work on my car. He seemed a little more friendly despite being stressed because the computer wasn’t working. He passed my car and I was on my way. It was an ok experience, but way pricier than other places I’ve seen. Would definitely never go back without printing the coupon.

I’ve been to Speedy Smog three times and have to say, each time it was as easy as could be. I’m surprised to see the negative reviews here — wonder if they could be from competitors or something (seems suspicious since they are all recommending other places to go).
My experiences have been great. I show up with no appointment or anything like that, drop off my car for a smog check, and typically within an hour it is ready to be picked up. Depending on the time of day it may take longer or shorter. I actually went today early in the morning and it was ready in 30 minutes. In the past it’s taken a little over an hour, but always «speedy» as the name implies. The staff has always been friendly and easy to work with. I haven’t ever tried any price matching or things like that, but they get the job done for what they charge and I’ve never had any problems with them. Also, the location is great — easy to walk down Park Street to get a bite to eat or browse while you’re car is getting checked. Based on my experiences I’ll be back next year.

Very convenient, quick and easy. Less than a 30 minute wait, there was one car ahead of me. Went to Alameda Natural Grocery, did my shopping and came back, paid and went on with my day. I would give it 5 stars but the price is a bit on the higher side even with a $ 30 coupon.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE; IT IS OVERPRICED AND RUDE SERVICE.
I suggest you take it to AAC TEST STATION ON LINCOLN across the police station (at AAC station no coupon needed, honest service and half the price)
I took my car to have it smog yesterday; I have 4 vehicles; and the owner in the past has always given us good service. We have been coming here for many years.
To my disappointment; the fellow (old man) behind the counter first could not get my phone number right; then he tried to overcharged my toyota as an RV/​Van. I pointed out to him that I am a regular customer and that Toyota Walnut Creek the dealer only charges $ 60.00 for a smog check. He then had trouble with the computer. But the worst part was; that he started bad mouthing me to another customer in his language (Tagalog) which I understand and speak; saying that I just wanted to have free service. The rudeness is unacceptable; and not to mention the lack of experience on his job and lack of service.
My car did not pass smog; and no reason given. I wonder if it was done on purpose. I will take it to another place and then report them to the the DMV. Consumers be aware…

Why would anyone go here???
I was quoted $ 91.00 for a routine smog check! That is $ 61 with the $ 30 off online coupon. Still twice the price of most locations in the area. When I asked why… they said «the cost of real estate is high here.» OK… so then I’ll get my smog check where the cost of real estate is a bit lower… it’s just a smog check!

In and out within 25 minutes! Clean waiting area with good magazines.
Be sure to go to the company website for a $ 30 coupon (thank you to other reviewers for including this tip)! The technician was friendly and informative. It may seem a little pricey, but for the convenience of the location, coupon and overall efficiency, they really live up to their name!

$ 61 with the coupon
IN-​OUT-​DONE
What more is there to say?

Thanks fellow Unilocalers! You turned me on to the $ 30 off coupon at Speedy Smog’s website and I saved thirty smackers.
Been going here for years and have had no problems at all. Took all of 25 minutes to do the smog check. Went for a nice walk on Park Street while they did the work.

My faithful car finally reached middle age and now needed a smog check before 2013 registration renewal.
Speedy Smog was one of the places I found near work. They’re fast and friendly enough. Don’t go without printing out the $ 30 discount coupon from their website – the undiscounted smog check is $ 91.