AAA Smog

Worst customer service
Old man start arguing about he doesn’t have time to smog my car when they close @ 6

I have been here twice. The first time the guy was rude and not pleasant but I thought he was having a bad day so I tried it again. My second visit was worse than the first. There is something wrong with this man and I will never return.

These guys are idiots. I have a 2007 Jaguar XK with no check engine light and it runs great. When I pulled up, they opened the hood and pretended to inspect the vehicle with a flashlight in broad daylight. Then they told me they don’t want to test the vehicle because they can hear a vacuum leaks and that I would fail. I am a mechanic and I know these guys are B.S. So I took my Jaguar to a different shop and it passed with no problems.

OK, I read all of the bad reviews on just about ALL of the Smog places, so I was leery as well. So, I drove down to AAA three days early, showed Brian my $ 40 off coupon, and asked him how much my Smog Test would cost «out the door — with certificate.» He said $ 40, and I said I’d be back. Three days later I went back with my coupon, and got my $ 40 Smog Check done in under 15 minutes. (Now, when I went back the second time, he did asks me how much he had quoted me three days earlier, so there seems to be a little «play» in the pricing).
Anyway, I didn’t want just the bad experience to be recorded, so here is a good one!

Got smogged and didn’t pass. Brian told me a «visual inspection» turned out a problem with the manifold. 3 mechanics could not see what was wrong. They said that they didn’t even understand what a «visual inspection» was since there was no obvious problem. Running down the problem was going to cost money. Finally, someone suggested that I get another smog check at another station before doing work on the car. I did and it passed. It passed and it confirmed what another mechanic told me: «Whoever did this (BRIAN) is an idiot.»
PhilWrob

If I could give this place negative stars I would. I was referred here by my mechanic. 1990 Buick, first his price was not competitive at all, second when I asked why he was removing the gas cap he when crazy. Words were exchanged, I said back my car out now! He refused, then got in my face and acted like he was gonna hit me! Please do not go here, he should fail…

Brought my 86′ pickup for a test a few years ago, and it failed. The service man (owner?) gave me some very helpful ideas on the cause/​remedy. I decided to do the repair myself. It passed the retest with FLYING colors! Best part, «free retest on fails». That tells me that they have no interest in faIling your vehicle because then they have to test it twice.
Fast forward to a few months ago, brought the same vehicle in for a test. After checking several items, he informed me that he could not verify the catalytic converter because the numbers were worn. He also pointed out some other things that would not pass. I ended up having to go back to the garage that replaced the converter several years earlier to have it smogged. The good part, he did NOT charge me for a test! That spells «customer care» and not someone interested only in making a buck.
For what it’s worth, I have smogged all my vehicles at AAA and never had a bad experience.

So i was waiting for a half hour at another shop when i noted a $ 40 off coupon for this place. I left and came here. I mentioned the coupon and he advised that the out the door price was $ 50. It was the fastest smog check ever for me, 10 – 15 minutes. They were friendly as well. I didnt make a fuss over the coupon thing as the price was better than the $ 71 at the other place i was waiting at. The only reason i dont give them 5 stars is because the coupon gimick is a little shady! Otherwise a great experience and company. Just keep it simple and honest and you’ll have 5’s across the board.

Went here based on other Unilocal reviews and was not disappointed.
I got there right when they opened and was out within ½ hour. They were both friendly and considerate. I will go here again. Oh, and I used a coupon.

I called AAA at about 2 pm on a Wednesday to get my car smogged. The guy on the phone said they could take care of it no problem. I asked if they were busy and he said «No but it is first come first serve». I asked him if there was anyone there waiting, and he said «No but if someone arrives before I do they will be helped.»
Fair enough.
I arrive and find the garage empty with the 3 employees. I walk inside and speak to the younger guy with the sleeve of tattoos who said they would not be able to do the smog. I asked why and he said a customer had just called and will be coming soon with a «question». I told him this made absolutely no sense and he repeated the reason. He said I could wait and it will be 30 – 40 minutes before they could get to me. I informed him I was the one who called not more then 5 minutes ago asking about the smog. He shrugged his shoulders and said they wouldn’t smog me until the customer with the «question» arrives.
Horrible service.

Called and asked for a price on a smog check, told him exactly what make model year. He quoted me $ 60 dollars. I showed up and told him about the coupon online for 30 bucks off that i had printed out and then said it was 50 bucks… I asked what about my 30 off then he said reg smog checks are 100 bucks after i had called earlier and was told $ 60… was lied to, so I did business at All Autos Smog in San Marcos. All Auto Smog was CLEAN friendly, and only 60 out the door. Call them for way better service and they did all DMV paper work at their location one stop shop ! :) 760 −734−4486

Would not recommend trying to get your car smogged here, especially if you have modifications done to your car. The manager here has no idea what he’s talking about and refuses people who have LEGAL modifications. I took my car somewhere else and they didn’t even ask about any of the mods I had and I passed.

Great overall experience. This is the place to go to if you need a smog check. Excellent service, friendly and professional staff, prompt and precise process. Visit their website
for possible deals/​coupons and information.

Horrible… went here after Pre-​test passed at another location and the guy refused to test said automatic fail as I have the wrong catalic converter… its 2 days old how can it be wrong… he showed me his «Book» that says its supposed to be # 000 and I have the wrong one… me thinks he needs a new book!!!

My first time here, took my BMW to smog. The guy was friendly and helped me right away. He gave me a really good price, and I was in and out in about ten minutes. Thank You!

Great service. Only $ 40.

Horrible! I went 3 times, THREE, to try and work it out. First time, was my first time ever finding out about smog, and I was quoted $ 40. Coming from Oregon, this is DOUBLE what I pay so I left to find a better deal. I came back later with a coupon only to have him ignore myself and FOUR other people for 15 minutes before I left. Third time, I came back with my $ 20 coupon in hand, and was now quoted $ 50! Wait, what? I have a coupon and you try and charge me MORE? Complete rip-​off, and the man is very rude and unprofessional.

Wow, I had a much different experience when I came here. The gentleman I worked with was extremely professional and what he quoted me was what I paid, which was less than any other place I called in San Diego.
He completed my smog in no time, but the best part is that he noticed my tire was low in air, checked my pressure, and immediately filled it. I knew I had a small leak but it had gotten progressively worse.
I am extremely happy with this place, definitely recommend, and will come again. As for the reviewer below me, that does suck but honestly, I’ve gone to many different places with coupons and have had the same thing happen to me. Sometimes disclosures aren’t put on there, they forget, or your situation might be a bit more complicated. I don’t think the gentlemen who helped him was doing it intentionally, however.