Smog Express Test Only Center

This is far and away the most trouble free and easy smog shop you could visit. There is very little of a wait and the man who runs the shop does all the work himself. He is efficient, friendly, and makes you feel way more important and appreciated than most anybody who works on cars or smogs or anything else automotive related. He is a real tried and true nice guy.
On the plus side also, the prices are fair and despite being on Old County among lots of other shops and smog places, it’s easy to find. While you wait you can relax on the lived in sofas and have a cup of coffee. Then again the wait is so minimal you won’t really need to. Also wonderful is the «no pass — no pay» philosophy.
In short, Smog Express will always be my destination for my cars that need smog testing. I am always happy and my expectations are always shot through the roof! I only wish I remember the owner’s name so I could name drop here.
What are you still reading for? Go on and get your car smogged!

Excellent customer service! It was my first time getting a smog check here, and Ray was more than courteous to smog my car despite the fact that I was running late and got there 15min after his business hours closed. The smog was quick and easy, and even though I «failed» the smog initially because I didn’t drive my car around long enough after a new battery was put in, Ray let me come back free of charge for a second test the next day to officially pass the battery reset issue. Ray also honored his coupon online discount despite all the extra customer service he provided! I have nothing but great things to say, I highly recommend this smog station! Also, nice to have a little waiting room as an added perk.

Superb experience testing my two cars for many years that I can’t even count. The owner always accommodated my time schedule and gave me the best of advice. He made smog check simple and worry free. By being a smog check only place, there is no interest in making you do any unnecessary work. Love it.

So, like a previous Unilocal reviewer, I had an appointment with the Golden State smog next door but when I pulled over to check the address the man came out and asked if he could help me. I asked if this was Golden State smog and he said yes, so pulled in.
He told me to wait in the waiting room, and I was the only one there. It was pretty dingy and I am not a germaphobe by any means but I did not want to touch anything in there. I sat down on the edge of the seat and was later joined by another customer.
I had a sneaky suspicion that this was the wrong place and when I realized it, I was too late. I called the Golden State Smog Center and they explained this happens a lot.
The good news is that it only took about 10 mins and came out to $ 50. I wish he was more honest with me, because I had to call the other one to cancel and felt bad since I made an appointment. I think the waiting room could use a lot of love, but it was fast and the man was kind to me.

I needed a STAR smog for my old car and wasn’t sure where to go. I saw the Unilocal reviews and checked them out on
. At first I wasn’t sure about this place, but it turned out to be a great experience. The waiting room was a little sketch but the garage itself was very clean and spacious. I called for an appointment was in and out of there in 20 minuets. I had a coupon for the smog that I got on
but I couldn’t it use because the owner said my car was an older Model and it needed the Star Certification. I think that it should have stated that on the coupon, but overall, the experience was positive.

Highway robbery! I recommend you look else where for a smog. I came here for a smog check and paid over $ 60 for the tech to tell me the car wasn’t ready. He didn’t explain why but told me to come retest in a week When I returned, he tried again without checking to see if the car was ready first. I took my business to GOLDEN STATE SMOG CENTER at 1150 Old County Rd instead and the guys there explained what my problem was. All they had to do was plug the car into a computer. They provided the free check several times until the car was ready. They saved me a ton of money and time!

I had a smog test done at this place around 2005, and I’ve been coming back since. Ray consistently provides fast and friendly service. Thank you!

Great service. The owner was professional, kind, and very quick. I called at 7:50 am to see how soon they could test my vehicle, and the owner responded that the earliest they could do was 8:10 am that same day. We were in and out in 22 minutes. The total cost for a 2005 Subaru Outback was $ 58 (paid with a credit card). The waiting room is a little experienced, but there’s free coffee, TV, a bathroom, magazines, places to sit, and toys for toddlers. I highly recommend them!

I intended to go somewhere else but there was something going on with their system so he recommended I head over here. He spoke to Ray who told me to come over. He was very friendly, efficient and pretty quick. Considering that I was a last minute customer he accommodated me kindly and even brought my car out for me so I didn’t have to back up from the garage. Thanks Ray!

Ray, Thank you so much for squeezing my daughter’s car in today! As ALWAYS you are a pleaser‼
Kendra :)

Third time in. Made an appointment, arrived early, greeted, tested and out in 30 minutes. It is an auto shop, keep expectations low and they will be met. The waiting room is not the Four Seasons, but there is hot coffee, a bathroom and a TV. Treat the owner with respect, show up on time and you too, can write a 5 star review here.

First off: I came here by mistake. I had an appointment at Golden State Smog a block away but I’d never been in person, so I didn’t realize I had pulled into the wrong place. I told the guy I had an appointment but he didn’t correct me. He also didn’t say anything when I gave him a coupon for Golden State. While he wasn’t obliged to inform me, I think it would have been a better business practice to do so.
All that said: Smog check took an hour, no issues. The smog check did not trigger my ABS light, which has happened at other places. The waiting room was serviceable — dark, old TV, ratty but comfortable seating. The guy was polite. The cost was $ 40 + $ 8.25 certificate fee using the Golden State coupon.
Would I come here again? No, but you could do worse.

Although I haven’t been there since my 2009 review, I’m raising the rating because of what I found out today at a different smog station.
When I had my car smogged there years ago, I thought they were chiseling me for a $ 10 gas cap.
However, I found out that they were not nickel-​and-​diming me; in fact, they did me a favor.
It’s been a long time, but I want to correct my error and, if possible, undo any damage done.
My apologies.

Smog inspection and certificate.
I came when there was nobody waiting and was out in about 25 minutes with my passed test sent in to DMV.
A nice man took care of me and said I could wait in the room next door. It had a restroom, couches, magazines, tv with cable and a small coffee pot which was full and hot. Good tasting coffee too. $ 58 for a 2000 Lexus RX 300.

No hassle, honest and reasonable. I was in and out in 20 min. Too bad he only gets my business every other year.

Despite making an appointment and there being absolutely no line, I had to wait over an hour to have my car tested. I wasn’t sure why this was, but I was willing to be patient, so I waited.
After my car was finished, I had to wait another 10 minutes for the repair shop to move various cars so I could leave while several men sexually harassed me, thinking I couldn’t understand them. That was cute.
During the entire process I was made to feel that I was a huge inconvenience to their business, though I will say that the actual gentleman that tested my car was very nice and apologetic, once he got to me. He even apologized for the harassment.
In short, there are so many other places to go, and this one isn’t very interested in your business. If you’re a young woman, it is downright scary.

Honest and trustworthy. Been going to Ray (run by one guy only) for years. Real nice guy. Never tries anything shady or sleazy. I’ve been through and heard of some nightmare stories. Very knowledgable he hast a vast knowledge of diesel trucks as well. I have my family drive the extra 10 – 20 minutes to see this guy.

This was the second year in a row I brought my car here. The service is great-​very friendly and honest. Sure, the site is not very aesthetic, but who cares? I called first thing in the morning and set a time to bring my car in-​easy peasy.
When it came time to pay I forgot to present the Val Pak coupon I had (it was in the DMV envelope my renewal came in). Ray actually saw the coupon and gave me the discount. He could have easliy jipped me out of that $ 8 but didn’t.
I’ll most certainly come here agin next year!

The guy who did the test was so rude to my old father it was bad, he didn’t cover his mouth or turn alway when he coughed and the waiting room should only be entered with a hazmat suit! There was mold everywhere and parts looked like it belonged in a horror movie, like saw.

I’ve been bringing my cars here for years. The owner is very nice and explains everything to you. The work is done quickly and he provides a guarantee.
I highly recommend this shop.