Casey’s Garage & Discount Smog Center

Brought my car to them back in 2010, something was wrong with the engine. Paid $ 3000+ to get it fixed, a month later I had the same problem. Got it towed to Casey’s garage from where it broke down in LA (ON THE GRAPEVINE). Came in to talk to Casey about it. He told me my car would be better off if I «drove it off a cliff». I said the work was insured by them, they said that they could take my engine apart but if they found that it wasn’t the same problem then they would charge me for the work again. They were absolutely no help.

I’ve always have taken all my cars to Casey’s garage for smog checks and U-​haul rentals. This time, my car broke down on me and I took it in for actual service. They were able to diagnose it within hours after I dropped it off and was ready for me the following day! In short, they were very honest with the work, great prices and excellent customer service. I would and always recommend Casey’s Garage!

TL;DR rude and refused service
A dumpster at the complex I live in rolled down a ramp and hit my car. The incident happened to me and another person and we were asked to get estimates for the repair. I walked in the shop and asked for someone to take a look at the car and provide an estimate if possible. A guy walks with me outside, looks at the car and asks me what happened, and I explained. With a smile on his face he just asked «it just rolled and hit your car», I responded «yes, it happened before, the dumpster was not secured properly.»
He said it’s not a big deal and he can fix it, but he won’t provide me with an estimate. I was confused, and I told him I needed an estimate because the housing were going to pay for it. He said he will not do that and started walking away from me. I asked him to wait and politely asked for an explanation. His words were «Dumpsters don’t just roll out of place, and this is not done by a dumpster. I will not provide you with an estimate so you can make some money out of it»
Unfortunately, the story is completely true and I had pictures and everything that I offered to show him. He wasn’t having it. I wish I was lying. The car is a 2015 mustang that I have owned for less than a month at the time. The incident was terrible news for me and accusing me of lying just added insult to injury.
I was in shock, and I just told him that he doesn’t have to do anything if he doesn’t want to, and left.
Overall he was extremely rude, accused me of lying to my face, and wouldn’t even take sometime to discuss it with me. Not to mention that how the incident happened is none of his business to begin with. All I needed was the cost of fixing that dent in that shop, regardless of who or what did it.
Needless to say I won’t consider going to shop again, and definitely won’t recommend it to others who don’t want to be in a position where they’re accused of lying.

EDIT: My friend went to the shop and had a terrible experience. He was rejected service in a very rude way. He was completely dismissed on no basis whatsoever other than the employees opinion of him. (If you’re wondering, the employee was completely wrong)
I can’t even believe that happened!
Aweful customer service. Avoid at all costs.
There are plenty of other shops in Goleta (All down Fairview Ave.) with better service and attitudes.

Dishonest people! They keep on charging you when they know smog won’t pass with engine light on. They charge for computer diagnosed which still didn’t tell what problem was. They really show they are in starvation and taking advantage of people. I really hope this business goes out of business and the money charged me won’t doesn’t last them forever. Especially for that guy Raul or whatever his name is. Please don’t waste your money here. They’re not discount smog, at they will over charge you for everything!

Nice enough guys. Got my smog check done in about 30 minutes. Paid about $ 50 altogether for my ’09 Honda Accord
I’ll definitely return here the next time I need a smog

Casey is great! I was in desperate need of a service for my BMW and Casey got me in right away! Will come back again.

I called several auto shops to price switching my headlights, and they were all overpriced. When I called Casey’s garage they said they’ll switch it for only $ 25! When I got there someone came out and asked me if I’m here for the headlights. The service is awesome and they answer the phone quick. I had a great experience :)

I was visiting and unfamiliar of the area. My tire pressure warning went off and couldn’t figure out what else to do after already pitting air. The gentlemen at the shop were very nice and helpful. Granted they were probably laughing at the panicked look on my face. I’ll take it. :) I was driving hundreds of miles back home the day after. Thank you for your help.

Great service. Caters to local friendly people. Has loaner cars to make you experience easier. All around great people!

The worst. Reccomend avoiding, because your taking a strong risk they will try and scam you. Been here twice for smogs and some of the employees are terrible with customer service. Always one word answers, reluctance to fully explain things or problems, unfriendly. On the most recent test they full on swindled me because i had a check engine light on, and instead of honestly telling me that it wouldnt pass bc of the light on, they ran it anyways, failed, charged me and said id have to pay again for the recheck after getting the light off. When i brought up the issue with a manager after the recheck he only argued with me and tried to make up poor excuses for his technician just not even being honest in the first place. So yes they offer the cheapest smog test, but make sure ahead of time you’re car is in perfect shape and will pass the first time, or they may look to pull the same move they did on me. You’re much better off going to another place that has quality service and will do a free retest. I also want to add that similar experiences have happened to both my parents.

Never felt so cheated in my life. Paid almost 600 hundred dollars, so that my car could pass smog. I felt like they weren’t being honest with me so I chose to seek other options. I went to a 76 gas station repair garage where I showed them the work report of Casey Garage. Come to find out that they said not one thing was done to my car!!! I wasted 600 dollars just for them to house my car for a couple of days wtf! I was so angered was considering taking Casey Garage to court. Choose another option these people are snakes.

Casey’s garage is by far the best garage in the Santa Barbara area. He is suck a kind man with a big heart who really knows what he’s doing. Every time I go in, he gives me excellent service, including but not limited to attending to my problems immediately, giving me rides home or to places if I have to leave my car for a while or for a few days, at times loaning me a car, and above all entertaining me! He is a great man with great workers who knows what he’s doing and never disappoints me nor my vehicle. Go to Casey, he is number 1!!!

Excellent service! I come here all the time to fix my car. Casey is extremely helpful and kind. He always finds the best and cheapest way to fix my car. Definitely recommend to others!

Not great guest service, but smog check was $ 49.95, which is great. It took less than 30 mins. No wait line at all at 11 am weekday.

My experience with them is good, of course my cars always passed. Prices are reasonable, work is performed promptly and efficiently.

I almost feel it’s my duty as car owner and a Santa Barbara local to advise people to stay away from Casey’s Garage. Very long wait, price change for service, and the biggest ill, bad disingenuous attitude. Read on if you want the facts. I took my 2005 Volvo V70 in for it’s semi annual smog test/​certification. I called first and was told there was about a «30 minute wait» It took me about 10 minutes to get there. Upon arrival they had one car on the lift and another with the hood up being checked over. More than 90 minutes later, now with about 3 other folks waiting (behind me) as well, my car was finally getting a smog check., seriously, more than a hour? They need better magazines. No smog issues with my car so here is my $ 39.95 (plus tax) as the very large sign says on the wall of the garage. «Old price» says the guy with the work order. «Why does your sign say it’s $ 39.95»? … I get the three easiest words in the English language, «I don’t know». At this point, a very nice woman within earshot of my conversation says she has an extra coupon for a discount, digs into her purse and gives it to me. Garage guy then says «I cannot take that coupon, you did not mention it prior to service» and goes on to explain that he has already calculated the price. The very nice lady now becomes totally exasperated lady. As do I. Garage guy changes tactic and accepts the coupon. He then gives me my car keys by flinging them on the short counter in the office, in which they skid across and land on the floor. He says nothing to me but attempts to engage the coupon-​giving-​lady in friendly conversation. After I’m out of there, I meet up with a friend. I go on about my experience. Maybe he didn’t hear exactly where I was, or misunderstood my whereabouts as to what smog shop I was so enraged about. Because his reply to me was — no joke — «well at least you didn’t take it to Casey’s, those guys are the worst» Consider yourself warned.
**** full disclosure, this occurred in May ****

Smog check took about 20 minutes or so, and the service was just fine. Cost me $ 49.95, which I think is average.

In and Out
Quoted 30 minutes, took less than 20 for a smog check. Vehicle passed, so what more could you want?

Casey’s Garage, home of the $ 81 smog check.
Now, usually when I see someone advertising as a «discount» anything, I think they’ll charge less than the average price. How silly of me to think that? Casey’s charged a whopping $ 81 dollars for a smog test that I know I could have gotten for $ 30 in Oxnard. Now, I live in Ventura, so driving to Oxnard isn’t that much of a problem for me, but if you do a little research first you can probably find somewhere that charges considerably less. (a quick google search turned up a place on Las Positas that’ll smog your car for $ 35. With the transfer fees and what not that’s still less than $ 50 out the door).
Now I know what you’re thinking, «$ 81? Do you have some giant monster truck or something?» The answer is clearly, no. I have a Mazda sedan. It’s gasoline operated and less than an 10 years old. It’s completely normal in every possible way. So why would they charge so much for such a simple test? I have a few ideas.
1) They can. Basically, it’s a free country and if they want to charge $ 81 for a smog test there’s no rule stopping them. Santa Barbara is notorious for overcharging for everything so why not smog tests?
2) Ignorance. Maybe they don’t know how much to charge for a simple smog test. Maybe they don’t know how much other places charge for a smog test. Well, the answer is, other places charge less, much less.
3) Specifically to rip people off. The craziest part of this operation is that they charged an «extra» $ 20 because my car isn’t registered in Santa Barbara county. This is clearly a scam to rip off the unsuspecting UCSB student due to their close proximity to the campus. UCSB students, you’ve been warned.
If you’re looking for a repair, I can’t tell you a thing about this place. There are other reviews that can help clarify that (personally, i wouldn’t drive 300 miles to have me brakes worked on, but that’ s just me). However, if you’re looking for a smog test from a place that doesn’t charge $ 200/​hr. you’re probably better off going somewhere else.