Arroyo Smog Check

Very fast service and cordial and best deal in town!

Bill was great. Real straightforward, I’m selling my MINI Cooper and he did a check of its computer to see if there was anything that may make the smog fail before I commit to the cost (which was cool of him), smog passed and he gave me very good safety advice re paperwork and process on selling the car. Real nice guy who has been in the neighborhood since like the 70s. Recommended!

I brought our Prius here for a smog check and it was quick and easy. Bill specializes in smog checks for hybrids as well as body shop work for any kind of car. Very convenient and reasonable.

This was really a straightforward and positive experience. The owner talked with me, prior to running the check, after my car had failed a visual inspection at another location and provided advice as to how to remedy the situation. I returned after getting the problem fixed and he did the smog check quickly. Afterwards, he gave me some additional advice about another problem I was having with the car. I’ve been to many smog testing stations and repair shops and this was one of the best experiences I have had. I’ll be returning for other work on my car in the future

Super friendly and fair. My car kept failing — he only charged me once and helped figure out the possible problems. I took to my own mechanic to fix (because I’ve been going to him for several years) but once I had it sorted Bill got me in and out same day– within an hour. I would definitely recommend him. Very knowledgable and excellent customer service. He really cares.

Bill is one of the most pleasant, honest mechanics I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Came in for a smog check on a Sunday afternoon and he was incredibly polite and attentive and everything was taken care of in just under 20 minutes. They also have a covered seating area so you can get out of the sun while they run the test. I will definitely be back.
I used a Unilocal Check-​In Deal that knocks $ 5 off of the total price of the smog check. Recommended!

Amazing, friendly, fast, and affordable smog check. The awesome owner also kindly let me know that I could go to AAA instead of the DMV to take care of my registration — saved me so much time and frustration. I will definitely be back for oil changes and maintenance. There is nothing like an honest and helpful mechanic — so happy I stumbled upon this gem!

Bill is the hands down the best mechanic I have come across. He is always there when you need him. He truly cares about what he does, and it shows in every element of his business and his character. I have been bringing two separate cars to Bill for the last 4 years, and I leave always feeling reassured that he did all he could to make sure that the job got done at an affordable price.
There is nowhere in Los Angeles that could stand up to Bill and Arroyo.

Bill did my smog check about 5 years ago at his previous location. I happened to find his website 2 years ago when I was searching for any solution to an expensive catalytic converter issue that I had to face with VW dealer for my 2003 Golf. Bill helped me pass smog in 2013 & 2015 as well as all the necessary repairs at reasonable cost. I appreciate his great service and professionalism to have taken care of my Golf for the recent years. Thanks to Bill, my car still looks good and runs very well!

First of all, they open on Sunday. It really saved me because I had an accident on the way to LA. I needed to make sure it’s road ready after the accident. Bill is super helpful and nice — he helped me checked the car and gave me useful tips. Thanks Bill.!!

Bill is the best mechanic I have ever had. Not only is the work good, but the prices are very fair and I have never had to question whether he is trying to rip me off. I am so glad this auto shop exists!!! Game changer.

Discovered this shop through a referral from a friend. She had gone to Bill for several issues with her car and he had helped her fix it right up! I decided to try this place out since it’s local and it seemed he had amazing reviews. I went to get my car inspected one day and Bill ended up helping me with more than I had even realized was wrong, all well providing stimulating conversation.
I will most definitely be coming back and I recommend that if you have any auto related issues you check this place out first… you won’t be disappointed. :)

Bill & his crew did a superb job on my fiancés corolla. I called him on da strength ov his proximity & the Unilocal reviews. Bill is very informative warm & communicative.

Bill always seems to look out for the little guy – giving you an honest assessment of what needs to be done, and what can wait – even once referring me to another mechanic he thought could do better. That’s why I’m so disappointed that, after my third visit to his shop, Bill ended up completely souring our relationship, over something very trivial. I would have been a customer for life; now I will never leave my car with Bill again.
A couple of months after my last visit, I received a notice in the mail about a parking ticket. The date on the citation revealed that my car had been at Bill’s shop at the time; he had parked it overnight in a street sweeping zone. This was the first I’d heard about it. Bill did not see fit to mention that he’d gotten a ticket, nor did he pay it. Still, I thought Bill would come through. I called him and he seemed confused, because he said he always takes care of his tickets right away, but promised he would pay the $ 80 ticket.
Bill did not pay the $ 80 ticket. In fact, despite my gentle reminders, he let the ticket lapse until the fine doubled. Over the next few weeks he again promised to do the right thing and pay, but each time had some excuse: the payment was declined; his bank account was frozen; business had been slow. This went on for two months. Throughout, Bill’s communication was slow and unclear. Bill gradually stopped returning my calls and texts entirely. Two weeks ago, he wrote to say he would mail the money that day, but so far I have not received it, and he is (again) avoiding me completely.
I do not understand this behavior. Maybe Bill is having a tough time these days – and I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt, because I actually do like the guy – but Bill’s lack of communication has used up the last of my patience. His «absent-​mindedness» or «zen attitude» is not so charming once it crosses the line into blatant disrespect. What mechanic, or any other businessman, would screw over a loyal customer for less than two hundred bucks? Bill has certainly lost at least that much in my business alone.
As a side note: My car was also hit-​and-​run while in Bill’s care, parked outside the shop. One side panel was dented, and a piece of trim came off. I didn’t notice the damage until I’d driven home, but immediately got in touch with Bill. Yes, he said, he’d noticed, and had kindly tossed the piece of trim in the back seat. Again, no mention of this when I picked up the car.

Bill is super amazing! I was panicking because my car stalled and not places are open on a Sunday. Bill happened to be open. He was very knowledgable about what could be going on. He also gave me detailed directions of how to get to his shop. He checked out everything on my car and gave me information of how to make my car last longer. So excited I found him! He is SUPER affordable! :) I recommend him to anyone! Thank you so much! You are now my new mechanic!

Quite frankly, I really don’t trust anyone in the auto industry. That includes sale to repair to insurance. But alas, I’m a really bad driver and got myself into an accident about a couple of months ago. Initially I thought it was just body work that needed to be done, so I looked through Unilocal to see who can repair it for a good price and good quality. Because my insurance doesn’t pay for repairs on my end, I had to pay out of pocket.
Since this business was the highest rated within my area and had the most reviews, I decided to give it a try. Also, Sunday hours were really useful because almost nobody is open on a Sunday. I met Bill who gave me a quote and broke down exactly what he was going to do and how he could put it down for the lowest bid possible. It actually was at a really good price, and I felt pretty comfortable talking with him. He’s really professional and really looks out for his customers. But I wanted to shop around a few more days before making the purchase.
Bad news bears, I later found out that I had a transmission problem a few days and the work needed to be done ASAP. Since I didn’t get a lot of time to get a quote from many other mechanics, and his was pretty low anyway, I drove over to Arroyo to get it done.
He gave an additional discount (because I paid in cash), drafted a scope of work before he performed work and we agreed to do business. A few days later, I got my car back and it looks awesome. He showed me exactly what was replaced, and even gave me a big bottle of coolant for my car.
Just to let you guys know, my car had burgundy paint. The parts he replaced it with were black (unpainted, because paint is too damn expensive) my car looks like the Batmobile. I’m very happy.

Bill has been our mechanic, neighbor and friend for over 18 years. We have followed him from his days at the local Chevron station, to the smog check business, to this current location. We know people who have been following him longer than that. He is smart, knowledgeable, honest and easy to work with. He knows the ins and outs of the auto repair, smog, insurance and body shop businesses. He knows everyone in the area and if he can’t do the job, he knows who can and will refer you.
The shop is busy and he doesn’t always have someone working in the front so Bill keeps the gate locked to protect the cars and equipment. Might seem odd to some, but for those of us with Bill on our speed dial, we know we can call anytime and he is there for us.

Had some minor body work done under an insurance-​covered accident. The work was adequate, neither great or unacceptable. A couple weeks later I received a parking ticket. My car was parked across the street at 4am while it was entrusted to the shop. A garage should never park a customer’s car overnight in this neighborhood, illegally! The owner has not sent a reimbursement check and is not returning my calls.
There is no excuse for this business practice. No bueno.

I’m not so sure about Abel Z’s review. I’ve never been treated that way at Arroyo. He seems uptight and using the wrong ruler to judge a good mechanic (he’s in «education»… no surprise)
Bill is honest and treats you like a friend giving advice. Like imagine you had a buddy who is a great mechanic, and he looked at your car. Bill pretty much acts like that. He charges an honest amount for his labor and parts and never tries to upsell you. «If it aint broke don’t fix it» pretty much sums up bill.
On a couple occasions he’s even gone the extra step and fixed a simple thing here and there free of charge… I’ve never had that kind of treatment from a mechanic. Not saying he’ll do the same for you, but it happened to me a couple times.
I’m not a «mystical» person, but Bill seems very Zen about cars. His intuition and brain kick in and he solves problems.
Even if I move away from Highland Park, I don’t really see myself taking my car anywhere else.

Bill is a life saver!
My VW Golf needed a new transmission and Bill gave me an honest estimate of how much it would be to replace as well as set me up with a temporary fix.
After getting stuck in 3^rd gear one too many times, I ended up leasing a Prius C. 3 days later, a girl opened her front door right into the side of my car in the Home Depot parking lot. I called Bill and he fixed it up good as new and dealt with the insurance adjusters. He even got me a great deal at the local Hertz rental car place.
He doesn’t sell you anything you don’t need and has great prices.
I couldn’t ask for more!