4 Less Smog Check

Done before i even had a chance to get comfortable. Quick, friendly and inexpensive. Just what I wanted.

Super friendly, easy and quick service. Great price and location. Annoying task was made Painless

AVOID THIS PLACE —
I’m posting this review to warn folks about the false advertising and totally inappropriate behavior on the part of the person staffing the smog check station.
Summary — Bait and switch, unfriendly, rude, and even physically threatening experience this afternoon — 5÷21÷16, around 3pm. Unbelievable that anyone running a neighborhood business would condone this kind of disrespect for customers. They definitely don’t live up to their business name, or any reasonable expectation of service.
Note: I ended up at a fantastic STAR Smog station — Berkeley Green Smog Check, 3000 Shattuck, 548‑4900 — the person handling it there was very friendly, honored the online price of $ 38, and got me (and 2 other customers) out in less than 30 minutes, even though I’d accidentally brought the smog check notice for our other car. No problem, couldn’t have been easier.
If you’re curious, here are the gory details:
I used google to search the phrase «smog check el cerrito» — and found this as the first result:
Berkeley Smog Check — $ 19.75 + Certificate —
Ad
(510) 544‑0222
The tech refused to honor the ad, and insisted that it wasn’t an ad, after going to his own pc and searching google for smog check berkeley (while complaining that I’d checked el cerrito), and finding exactly the same result I had. The results at the top even have the little orange Ad tag, indicating that this business pays google for priority listing.
RUDENESS, TOTAL LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
Then, rather than making any number of apologies or concessions, he said «That’s meaningless. Did you click on the link?»
When I argued that it’s clearly an ad, and should be honored, one of his many gems was that anyone in his right mind would know to click the link, which ignores the bait and switch and clearly false advertising aspect. He also said that anyone who knows how to use the Internet would know to click through, which is a particularly intelligent thing to tell an experienced web developer — I’ve worked for 20+ years in the software industry.
EVEN WORSE
He eventually offered to do the check for $ 58. I agreed — just to get it taken care of. While I was filling out the intake form, he started up again with his argument, and then when I disagreed, refused to take my business, at which point I asked for his name, which he also refused to give me, and began writing down the 800 number for the licensing authority posted on the wall. He actually came towards me, and I felt threatened enough to run for my car.
Crazy.

Wow. Super rude. No way I’d ever go here again. What an ahole.
Adding words so this counts as a review. I roll in and the guy just a points next door without even looking up. He then proceeds to talk to me in short, incomplete sentences like «comes to 28 dollars cash» without any context or explanation, and when I ask for one, he just repeats it. Talks to me like I’m a complete moron and he couldn’t care less whether I stay or go. In fact he wishes me a good day when I head off in disgust.
I don’t leave shitty Unilocal reviews, but this guy is an utter douche. Sorry your job sucks man, not my fault.

Excellent service as always. Fast, efficient. Cash only. Only if you mention Unilocal do you get the great discount on both regular smog test –and for my other car that needed a STAR test! 2 in one day! And they are a STAR station even though that’s not advertised.

I was happy to find good reviews for this shop since it’s close to where I live. And because I forgot my DMV paperwork so I could retrieve it quickly and get back there. When I pulled in the second time, Jason saw me coming so he had already filled out a portion of his paperwork. Mention Unilocal to unlock the $ 28 rate. After I sat down on a chair underneath the tree and sent a quick text, Jason pulled my car into his garage, did the test and parked it again before I even knew what happened. Less than 5 minutes later I’m paying for the test and on my way. Easy peasy!

I didn’t have to wait.
Price was great: pay cash and
and mention Unilocal to get the discount.
Total $ 28 for cars, not SUV’s.
It took less than 10 minutes.
I had made an earlier appt. at the
Berkeley Smog Test Only Center on Carleton in Berkeley
and didn’t have the time to wait for 30 minutes before they
could take me. Glad I left.

Fastest smog check ever! Cash/​Check only.

Take your business somewhere else.
Rude, antagonistic clerk, deceptive business practices. They don’t say they don’t provide free retests, but they also don’t say that they do. Check that when comparing options. Cash only deal if you know the secret handshake, and buy something next door to get the cash. I found the manner of the clerk repugnant, and told him so. He followed me out to continue arguing. Really? The attendant also informed me as he followed me to my car, to continue basically telling me I was stupid, that he had a family member that worked for Unilocal that would happily filter my review.
There are options in the same range. Go elsewhere.

The best smog check spot ever. Quick fast and str8 to the point in and out in less than 10 minutes. This dude is really bout his business. Highly recommended !

Jason was professional and courteous. In and out in less than 5 min. $ 35 out the door for a minivan. I plan on getting all my vehicles smogged here. Bring cash, coupon, and DMV paperwork.

Deceptive advertising… «$ 28 TOTAL For passenger cars 1996 and newer.» We ended up getting charged $ 68. What a rip-​off!!! Never coming here again! On top of that, the tech was unpleasant.

Only $ 28, total, so, what’s the catch? Bring cash AND mention that you saw website special of $ 19.75+certificate fee = $ 28. Hubby showed up and saw that their sign said $ 58. He couldn’t get the $ 28 special until he verbally said he saw the special on the website. Since it was an SUV, they explained it would also cost an additional $ 10, but hubby said that this was not mentioned on the website, so they waived it. So proud of hubby.
He was in and out in 10 minutes with brand new smog certificate in hand. Probably best to make an appointment, but on this rainy Saturday morning there was no waiting. 4 Less Smog Check is definitely recommended!

Just finished smog test @ 4 Less Smog Check. It took $ 28 cash and less than 3 min!
Linh was helpful and professional. I couldn’t expect anything more from a smog check facility. I’ll go back for my other car.

Linh was super helpful, friendly, and the whole process took me 7 minutes! And today he called just to let me know that DMV’s online system was down so my processing might be delayed a day or two, but he explained other options for if I needed my registration tag today.
I highly recommend 4 Less Smog Check and will always take my cars here!

The racket the state of California has encouraged with regard to smog tests really p*sses me off. If we are required to get them, which I have no problem with because I’m a huge fan of clean air, it should be regulated. Everyone should pay the exact same fee depending on the size and age of the car.
When I called various smog test garages about my 2005 Mini Cooper, I got quotes ranging from $ 35 — $ 55. Then I found Smog 4 Less off of The Alameda in Berkeley on Unilocal.Finally, Unilocal is good for something.
When I got the quote over the phone I thought, $ 28 CASH out the door – no way. There has to be a catch. Nope. Jason got me in and out in a matter of minutes. I will be a repeat customer for sure. Please don’t be a typical garden variety Unilocal a-​hole and ruin it for the rest of us – be sure to bring cash money and good manners. Keep this deal going!

When it comes to any type of vehicle maintenance, I fall into the trope of «damsel in distress». Come smog check time, I consulted my father. After laughing at me for a solid five minutes, he pointed me in the direction of 4 Less Smog Check. I’m happy to say that these guys made the potentially onerous chore of smogging a vehicle breezy.
I showed up without an appointment. When I arrived, they were failing a lady in a Benz, but that didn’t salt the vibe. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the employees were. Skilled, relaxed, and upbeat. After waiting about five minutes, I passed with flying colors and was good to go! Can you say efficient? My grand total came to $ 38 for an SUV, factoring in the Unilocal discount. Not too shabby.
For a speedy and cheaper than average smog check, 4 Less Smog Check delivers.

Only one bay, so you may have to wait a little if it is busy.
Linh is friendly and fast (unless there is a clunker in front of you.) Had to wait 20 minutes for a clunker to be done. Mine took less than 10 minutes.
Cheap, compare to some other places that want $ 68. Bring cash!

Great service! Friendly and efficient. Jason took great care of my husband when he took in my hybrid for its smog check. My husband was also impressed that Jason took time to help a lady who was struggling with the gas pump even though the smog check station is a separate business from the gas station. Price is right as well.
We will definitely return here for all our smog needs!

Their website has a «Season’s Special» right now (not sure which season they’re referring to) for $ 16.75, plus $ 8.25 certificate fee. It’s a cash-​only offer, but for $ 25 total I’ll forgive them for that. I was able to make a small purchase in the kiosk with my ATM card and get cash back, so it was really no big deal.
They don’t take reservations so it’s first come, first served. There were 2 people ahead of me when I arrived but I was still done in less than 30 minutes! And it is located right across the street from the North Berkeley Public Library, so there is something to do while you wait.
The technician, Lin (not sure of spelling), was efficient, down-​to-​business and courteous.