Smog Stop Shop & Repair

I took my car here for a smog and definitely agree on the «shadiness». I thought they were gonna mess up my car, running it in high revs for a very long time, I thought maybe they want something to break so they would want me to let them fix it. Thankfully, my car survived their awful unnecessary test. Needless to say, I will never come back here. Stay away!!!

Awful customer service; just plain rude — not to mention shady business practices… SHADY!!! They just want to separate you from your $. Look at all their reviews — same story over and over.
This is my first Unilocal review, and me sitting down, taking the time to write this, speaks volumes. I do review products and services regularly, on say Amazon and Ebay, as well as hotels and restaurants — but I am much more inclined to sit down and share positive experiences, than I am negative ones. These days I totally value good customer service, honesty and especially an employee’s /​owner’s pride in their work /​service. On the other hand, I completely understand that everyone has a bad day, or a bad moment — and slaying them online, which lasts forever, can be very harmful to small businesses, and just doesn’t seem fair, for what is usually just a minor slip up or a bad day — and not the norm… I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, anyway.
That said, I’m a Life-​Flight Paramedic — If I have a «bad day» and let if affect my work — well… it wouldn’t be good.
So anyway, here’s Smog Shop Stop’s scam:
They will fail you for a «visual» problem, with a vague and confusing description, given through Al, the office guy — then when they figure out you actually know something about cars, and want the tech to come out and show you, because you can’t find any problems with the vacuum lines — the tech refuses to come out (the same tech that gave you a nasty, irritated look, and walked away, after you said «hello», without even acknowledging you). The tech sends Al again, with a vague mumble about a dirty vacuum line (which is totally intact, but yes, has some grime — it’s a Jeep). Then Al spots a boot /​rubber connector, on a completely different vacuum line, that has a teeny, tiny split on the edge — but absolutely, positively has no affect on performance, and in no way could cause a vacuum leak. But that becomes the focus.
Al tells me the part needs to be replaced; but when I say «fine, give me 30 min and I’ll go grab one and slap it on», which should solve the problem, since the vehicle passed all the emissions. YES THE VEHICLE PASSED EVERYTHING BUT THE TECHS SUBJECTIVE VISUAL INSPECTION. But — and here’s the big but — I’m told that the part, a little rubber boot, is only available through a dealership — if I tried to use an aftermarket boot, from say Autozone or Pep Boys, it’s illegal and considered tampering. IT’S A RUBBER BOOT THAT CONNECTS 2 VACUUM LINES!!! What a JOKE!!! The sad thing is, people fall for this stuff, and pay HUNDREDS of dollars for a part that costs a couple of bucks, and is probably from Autozone.
By this time I’m totally onto their BS, and getting pissed (but don’t let on just yet) and just to see what they will say, I say «fine, I’ll run to the dealer and grab it from them.» I’m given some BS about how I can’t buy just the boot, and now I’m told that the entire hose needs replacing, and that they won’t have it in stock at the dealer… But they, Smog Stop Shop, can order them. I didn’t even ask a price. I should have, but I was about to explode. I am a very patient and understanding person — very easy going — but I don’t like being taken advantage of. I also can’t stand dishonesty and seeing other people getting scammed — that’s why I’m taking the time to write this. Read all the other 1 star reviews — same story, and in some cases they literally mark-​up parts 1000%, for unnecessary and unneeded repairs. It’s sad, and just plain disgusting.
So, to wrap this up, I tell Al that I will replace the boot, with an OEM part, and come back; He say’s «OK — that’ll be forty-​something dollars». Yep! As I hand him my card, I confirm with him that when I come back, there will not be another charge, especially since the vehicle was failed visually, for a rubber boot, with a 1 mm split — but passed all the emissions. All the tech needed to do was look at the new boot — 10 seconds, if he has to lift the hood himself.
«No, the entire test needs to be repeated» Al says, and tells me I will be charged for a whole new test. Unbelievable. I explain to Al that I have 5 cars and a motorcycle at home (wife’s, kid’s, etc.) and that he is 5 min away, but that I will drive right past SSS, on my way to the shop by the DMV, with all of my cars. He is going to lose a good customer for $ 40. He literally shrugged his shoulders.
I should have stuck with the shop I’d used for years — honest, and just good guys. If there truly was a problem, spotted visually (there wasn’t a real one) my guys would have pointed it out, BEFORE the test even started, and would have told me to take care of it, then come back. They would never have charged for a second visit.
These guys need to be reported to the state. Actually, I’d be very surprised if they don’t have multiple complaints with the BAR.
Shame on you Smog Stop Shop… It all catches up eventually though. You know what they say about KARMA — She’s a…

Very friendly and great service. Would go back for all vehicles. They also have for extra charges a one stop dmv which I did not try but if your needing that service it’s available. Coupons avail.

Highly recommended! Hidden little gem in the industrial office complex. (FYI they can not post signs on the sidewalk due to the business center restrictions, so just look for the flags from the street).
Al and the DMV lady were super helpful, and I was in and out in less than 30-​minutes. It was $ 50 for smog and $ 29 for DMV (to immediately get my DMV sticker and avoid the actual DMV).
And to those that are pissed for being charged when you fail, remember these guys are still putting in the labor to do the process as if it would pass. Would you want to work for free? Probably not, so be accountable for your own vehicles maintenance or don’t get pissed.

Always a pleasure getting my smog done here, been a loyal customer for years. Fast and easy and affordable. You even get $ 10 off for being a loyal customer. Will continue to come here.

This guy is a cheat!!!
He looked at my vehicle and knew it wouldn’t pass because he saw something he didn’t like. Instead of informing me and telling me it wouldn’t pass he hooks it to his machine gives it the test and it passed after all that he tells me it won’t pass because of a technicality and still charged me for it !!! Horrible go anywhere else please !!!
He should get 0 stars

Al and Steven got me in and out in no time. Extremely personable and professional. Clean, spacious and fairly large waiting room. Will be coming here again.

This place was awesome! Fast and easy help for an alternative of going to the Temecula DMV. THANKS GUYS! I definitely recommend!!!

Was not happy with the customer service at all. Was treated like my business didn’t matter. Make sure to print out their coupon from their website, they will not give you the discount if you show them your phone.
Final review is I’ll find another place next time.

Staff is very very helpful and nice! Also you can do car registration here! So much better thank going to the dmv.

Awesome local repair shop in the Temecula valley. Al is very helpful, the prices are fair and repair are done in a timely manner. I will send all my friend and family to this place.

These guys are crooks. Took my Toyota truck for a smog and they said the timing was off that my harmonic balancer had spun so it needed a new one. Funny my truck has an internally balanced engine never has or could have a harmonic balancer it’s that way from the factory. I’m a mechanic so just to verify I took it home and checked the timing and guess what it was dead on. How these crooks stay in business I don’t know. It’s hard enough to make it in this world but these dishonest people make it harder. I wish it was like the old days where real men settled things fist to fist. But can’t do that you will get arrested. Anyway never never take your vehicle to this place

Horrible service. Thieves. Came in for a simple smog, was charged extra for service that was never rendered. Came back the next day for a simple refund, was told refund couldn’t be process till owner came in later in the week. Manager was defiant, rude, and arrogant. Had to epen dispute with credit card. If you go here expect to be ripped off then them to be rude while ripping you off. Shady shady shady.

Okay, I saw the negative reviews on Unilocal but was rushed, came down here and it was close to work.
In and out in ½ hour, smog test fine and they gave me nice 20% discount. Nothing seemed «shady» or weird. I was happy, the guys were cool and saved me an immense amount of time.
They did what I needed… fast!
I give em 5!

Terrrrrible. If I could give them less stars, I would. They only had one mechanic and they told me it would take less than twenty minutes for a smog check. I was at the shop for nearly two hours.
The mechanic, David, kept leaving my vehicle and taking care of other customers who had come in for other issues without appointments and never once gave me a courtesy apology for my wait. He was ask incredibly unprofessional. He was loudly listening to inappropriate, uncensored music and singing. There was a mother in the waiting room with two small children. Once it was finally complete, he told me my car (brand new and less than 9 months old) had failed but did not tell me why. They still charged me $ 52 and told me when I come back it would be a $ 90 charge. I will NOT be coming back. Find another place if you need a smog check.

First time here for a smog check. Fast service! In and out quickly, prompt and professional service! I was told my Acura did what all Acura’s do… Pass!

Super nice! Super fast! Great customer service! I was able to take care of my smog and registration here. The prices are great too. My label was missing for my hood and they took care of it for me. I renew my registration here every year.

I’ve been here a few times and everything went ok, I don’t like how fast the smog tech drove my car around the building.
Also something seems very shady about this place, but being so close to me is why I keep coming back.

Go somewhere else. In an effort to save a little time a decided to let them smog my F150 pickup truck. I was called into the office and told it didn’t pass. «Failed smog due to visual inspection of vacuum lines» I was told $ 300.00 would fix the problem. I paid for the smog test and took my truck straight over to Jefferson Smog Star Station. I didn’t say a word to them, but they knew within minutes that it already didn’t pass from an earlier test. I agreed to pay for a second test and guess what, it passed. The manager came out and asked if I had done any work to the car. I said no. The manager asked me why it failed earlier and I showed him the Smog Stop Shop diagnosis. All of his technicians looked at my DEFECTIVE VACUUM LINES and said they were fine. The scam works like this:
1. Your car needs a smog certificate.
2. You go to a smog test location and they enter your car info into the system the computed instantly shows them that they are the first to attempt to smog your car.
3. Knowing that they are the first to smog your car gives them a free bite at the apple. You can agree (after it fails) to get your car fixed by them and get a free retest (which they already know is an automatic pass) or you can leave and pay for the test, either way they win.
4. Since the fail was due to a visual inspection, it boils down to an ethics /​honesty issue.
Go somewhere else!!!

I have taken both of my vehicles (at various times) to smog stop shop and repair for smog and auto repair work. Each time I have taken my vehicles for service I have been welcomed with wonderful customer service and detailed work. The prices are very reasonable and definitedly not over the top!
I would definitely recommend the auto shop for service work and smog details. They r wonderful!!!