SF Smog Test Only Station

Total scam artist. The guy looked at my odometer when plugging in his device, right next to which is my illuminated check engine light. I’m new to California and after paying him $ 89.99 for failing, I looked online and if the check engine light is on, it’s an automatic fail. I should have done some research but this is a shady, shady practice. Believe all the reviews. The worst.

Well, he asked for it … what an ass… I have been bringing my boxster here for several years. My mechanic informed me if the check engine light is on it will not pass smog, stupid me… Does SF smog tell me that? No… strike one… Yes I get it because its a Porsche you have to charge me $ 70 for the test instead of $ 50… Most smog test stations will not charge you a second time if you don’t pass the first time. This guy is like no, I am going to make more money off of you… Tell you what … I will steer as much business away from you as possible A-​hole… You can call me and we can talk about this if you like otherwise F-​you scumbag!!!
Love, Unhappy Customer

Have gone here several times and have always had exceptional service. The guy who works here said it would be done in 40 minutes, and it was done in 40 minutes just like he said. Very friendly even gave me a vitamin water as I waited in the hot weather. Will be back in another two years. Thanks.

DON’T GO THERE. THEY ARE THIEVES! I had my car done for $ 39.00. So I sent my wife to have her car done and she got charged $ 98.00, because she is female? This is just outrageous!

Run from this place. I got there on time, waited 20 minute, showed a coupon, state anything over 4 cly may be more. 50 bucks from 30 for 2 extra cly? What difference does this make. Bait and Switch. Bad. I drove from the sunset to get the deal and I could have got this anywhere and save myself from standing around for an hour.

Made appointment, 15 min wait, 28 bucks with mention of coupon. No worries. 5 stars if running on time.

Went to do biannual smog check. My check engine light was on and the guy didn’t bother giving me a heads up that I may fail the smog. I didn’t know at that time that check engine light on is very likely a sign of failing smog. Anyway, even with the coupon he overcharged me by 5 or 7 dollar… can’t remember.

…friendly turkish guy servised me there. everything went smooth and quick. My 95 Civic passed .I love my car !!

I actually had a quick, efficient, and productive visit here the last time I had my car smog checked. I see a lot of people appear unhappy, and while I waited for my car there was a very unhappy person whose car had failed the test, and he was complaining up and down. But my experience was nothing but good, and the guy who worked with me was courteous. I wish everyone could have the same experience.

Why oh why can’t I give 0 stars?!
My inspection was not complete yet I was forced to pay anyway. Upon completion the worker at the station, Emre Elci, informed me that it couldn’t complete all of the OBD self tests and then asked if I had recently had any work done on the car. I told him I changed the battery the week before. He said that what was probably causing the issue and that I should drive it about 50 – 60 miles to let the car’s computer reset and then the car would probably be fine to pass. I expected that I would do that and bring it back and even said that I would pay right now for the whole amount, but he said I had to pay the 21.75 and then when I come back I would have to pay the $ 30 again. I could not believe that because the impression I was and am under is that the inspection was not even completed due to the car having had been worked on. I asked him why he doesn’t ask whether work has been done on the car BEFORE getting the smog inspection if it is known that having the car worked on could potentially mar the test. I believe that would have saved my time and his and he said that would take too long. One simple question would not take that long. I told him that I was not going to pay because the test wasn’t complete and he decided to call the police. Bad business all around. He was verbally abusive and and kicked me out of the shop after giving him my money while I waited for the change. I told him to give me my change and then I would certainly leave, but he screamed that I was not allowed in the shop and to «GET OUT!» Funny because there was no problem with me being in the shop when I first arrived.
Avoid this place. The guy is a scam artist. And if you have been scammed here, please report to Better Business Bureau and the The Bureau of Automative Repair, CA. I certainly will be reporting him.
BTW got a smog test right catty-​corner across the street for $ 30. Had absolutely NO work done on my car b/​t the smog test from the jerk at the Chevron station and this new one and guess what, I PASSED! Of course I did, I knew I would, because there is nothing wrong with my car yet I still have a «Fail» report with the DMV, because EMRE ELCI couldn’t ask one simple question before taking my $. OH AND THE GUY WHO PERFORMED THE LATEST SMOG TEST ASKED ME RIGHT OFF THE BAT, «HAVE YOU HAD ANY WORK DONE ON YOUR CAR IN THE LAST WEEK?» AND GUESS WHAT, IT DIDN’T TAKE MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS.

I got screwed here too (but less than many other Unilocalers) I brought the printed coupon for the $ 28 inspection/​certificate. They charged $ 30 ($ 2 to transmit to the state – which is BS and false advertising). I complained and the guy was just mean about it.
I also called ahead and was told to come in 20 min. I did that and still had to wait another 25+ min to get started. And then the guy acts like he’s doing me some big favor when he finished the inspection 20 min after he started. (which is the normal length of time for a smog check in my experience.) It took 45+ min.
In short, don’t come here unless you have to. I had wanted go to the place in Potrero/​17^th (which is where the nice/​cheap guy who used to do smog in the Castro supposedly moved) but he’d left early for the day.
I support the air regs that require smog testing but just wish there were a better and less annoying system to do it.

DO NOT GO HERE! I was lured by GOOGLE deal of $ 28 cash for Smog test. After waiting half an hour finally they test my car. Then the guy drives my car out and tells me that everything passed except for the OBDII diagnostic test. Tells me I have electrical problems and that I need to go to a mechanic to get my car tested. He says I can only pay cash regardless of the outcome. So on good faith I pay him. He tells me that he did work on my car so I have to pay and would not take card because he says I got a special deal. So I go to another shop, they test my OBDII and say it’s absolutely fine. I go drive back I talk to MIKE. He says he’s got 3 cars before me but that he’ll try again. He tries, he says it still won’t connect and again tells me I need to go to a mechanic, even though I showed him the printout that it did connect.
I left, went to another place, got my smog tests completed. I called Mike to let him know, and that if he didn’t refund my fee, I would post a Unilocal review and he HUNG UP! WOW. Fair warning. Do not go here to try to save money. I ended up paying for two smog tests! I will also be calling BBB and the Automotive review! call the Auto review: 1.800.952.5210 you can even file a claim online.
Update: the automotive review got him to refund my money. When I came back to pick it up, he screamed profanity at me saying I was stealing his money. What a psycho! The police have his info in case he tries anything. Seriously, I do not know how he is in business. I wish I saw these reviews before I went. That google ad is a total sham.

As usual the staff was great. Called ahead of time and they got me in right away. They were done by the time I went to get coffee and returned. Been using them for six years now and still very satisfied. They even squeezed my friends car in right after mine! Thanks guys!

This guy is a total scam artist. Printed out a «coupon» for a Test Only smog check $ 20…when I tried to use it he said it had «expired» even though there was NO expiration date listed. It’s the «bait and switch» the oldest trick in the book. I’d rather pay more and help out an honest small business owner rather than this crook. Avoid this place!

These reviews don’t lie. Out of last minute desperation, I tried this place because I had a coupon and when I called they didn’t have a wait. Now I know why. Craigslist ad states $ 18 to $ 25 smog tests. My out the door price, $ 54.
Don’t come here unless you’re desperate.

DONT GO HERE!
Similar to many stories, these guys were underhanded, rude, and made me feel very un-​safe.
I had googled smog check, sf and came up with the $ 19.99 ad in early September.
I called, verified the price, and made an appointment.
When I arrived the fees listed were $ 8.25 for state and then he wrote in another $ 4.00 fee.
While they started the test I called my friend who is a mechanic and he said that they were performing illegal act under the Bureau of Automotive Repair rules if they charged more than advertised.
I went over to them and calmly stated my concern.
They (2 men) began raising their voices accusing me of trying to trick them, setting up the situation by a competitor, and in general being verbally confrontative.
Eventually, one of them conveyed that the fees were listed in the ad. I responded that I would be happy to review the ad via my cell phone. He kept trying to interrupt my efforts and close the «deal» eventually offering $ 28.00.
I ignored him and said I would pay whatever was offered in the ad as ageed. The ad did have a link and on the web page there was an asterick with an attahed caveat of a state fee.
Then they said it was cash only. I had $ 20, but needed to go to an ATM. They pointed me down the road saying they had no Credit Card Service. I hated leaving my car there. I felt that they would be likely to mess with my car.
I paid the $ 28.25. I was upset and hated the experience!
What bothered me is that I felt that they were trying to take advantage of me as woman, an then were so poor in their customer service. It could have been resolved with much less emotional dissatisfaction my part.
And they were sneaky enough to make me give them the proof of the original over-​charge since I knew to contact the Burea of Automotive Repair.
Suggest others with this experience contact and report to:

This place sucks! i did a smog here and when i picked up my car they said it was $ 103. WTF? i’ve done smogs elsewhere and paid at most $ 25. that makes no sense. f this place

Took my van here today to get it smog and had a great customer service!
thank you guys!
sorry everyone else had a bad time, it worked out for me and I paid $ 40! SWEET!

Bah — I should have checked Unilocal first.
Saw an web page with these guys advertising «save $ 25 off your next smog check when you mention xxxxxxxxxx». So I called and asked them what the price was without mentioning the ad. Then I drove over there and mentioned the ad and they quoted me THE EXACT SAME PRICE. When I asked about the discount the guy tells me the price I was quoted over the phone was the «special price» — this, despite the fact that I didn’t mention the deal before. In other words, they didn’t honor their ad. Also the price they quoted didn’t include another ~$ 12 in paper-​work fees they tack on.
Sleazy business practices get no points in my book.

Do not take your car here! I had a smog check here years ago and came back a few months ago without hesitation. It wasn’t until the work was complete that I found out the charge was almost $ 100! That’s almost TRIPLE everywhere else. What a rip off!