San Diego Smog & Auto Repair

Have brought several cars here for smog and they are just the best!!! Very quick service and good advice about smog testing issues. They usually have a coupon in the Reader that saves you about $ 20. Normally have a car or two in front of me when I arrive, however, they seem to never make me wait more than 30 – 45 min. And when I do have to wait it’s very convenient that El Zarape, Bahn Thai, and Small bar are just a few doors down. All great places to eat or kill some time!

This place may be small but very quick with getting cars in and out. Also very flexible with scheduling and honest with their customers. I am happy this far with them from a quick question about my car to actually doing a repair. Hope this helps and you have a great experience like I have. I will defiantly turn here to fix anything with my car from now on.

Fast! Friendly! High Re-​commend!!! :)

Wonderful business! Here for a smog certificate, Alan is fantastic. Clean shop, fast service, and online coupons.

I had a great experience at this shop today. They completed a pre-​purchase inspection on a used car I was thinking of buying. I didn’t end up buying the car, but I really appreciated the amount of documentation they provided, and the lengthy explanation Terry gave me.
I was referred to this shop by my dad, who has been taking his cars here for over a decade, and has always been pleased with their service.
I’ve been looking for a regular go-​to shop closer to home, and I think I’ve found it.

These guys let me down big time! My front brakes were squeaking so I brought my car in to have it inspected. They told me the front brakes and rotors needed to be replaced for $ 550. That didn’t sound right, because I had just had the front brakes and rotors replaced 6 months prior at a different repair shop. How could they possibly be worn already?
I decided to go back to the repair shop that installed the brakes and rotors. Guess what, the brakes had not been aligned properly after the last repair which was causing the noise. They fixed the issue, no more noise and brakes work great.
It would seem that SD Auto Repair was going to charge me for work that wasn’t needed. I wonder if they even looked at the car at all? Otherwise, they would have known that the brakes and rotors were practically new. I’m deeply disappointed by the sketchy service from my local shop. If you can’t trust your mechanic, then you’re in for some serious bills.

After going to these guys and referring people in the neighborhood to them for the last 12 years, I’m sad to say they lost a customer. I took my Suzuki Samurai to them for a routine smog test and they refused due to «modifications» & over sized tires. Never once did they engage me into a conversation about the «modifications» only making outlandish assumptions on their part. Not even allowing me the opportunity to explain that the Samurai has been inspected by a state certified referee, passing the more exhaustive smog test, not to mention I had the documents and stickers to prove it… They simply told me to find another station. Well I did, and the vehicle passed smog without issue, even reported well below the average emission numbers.
After this experience I would not trust what they say nor have them smog or work on any of my vehicles. They just don’t seem to be willing to listen or do what it takes to complete a job correctly.

One year later. Clutch still working fine 50 mile commute each day, 24 of which is stop and go city traffic. Where clutch is used heavily. Clutch has had no problems and is working fine despite owner’s «recommendation» on my review of this shady business.

Helped me sort out a smog issue that was a result of laziness by a totally different car shop. I’ll come here first from now on, and you should too.

Fast, friendly and attentive service for an excellent price.
I came in to get a smog check for DMV compliance, and the friendly staff got me immediately taken care of slightly faster than they had estimated.

Owner is extremely rude. Screamed at me for parking in the wrong area. Never going there for smog or auto.

Took the car in for a quick smog this afternoon in compliance with DMV’s requirements. Alan had us in and out in 20 minutes without an appt. He took great care of the car and already had the bill ready when we came back from the coffee shop. He also accurately quoted a price over the phone — many of the smog centers I called couldn’t or wouldn’t quote a price. Alan was also the cheapest. If i need to smog again next year, ill be back!

These guys are honest, trustworthy, hardworking, affordable, and just plain awesome!
It doesn’t get any better than that. Very pleased! They spent many hours diagnosing my car to make sure they weren’t going to charge me for a part I wouldn’t need. Sometimes it can feel like mechanics are willing to rip off women and elders because they know they don’t know about cars but these guys are not like that at all! If anything ever happens I’m only trusting these guys. Save yourself a headache and a few bills and talk to Alan.

I really appreciate the service here, on a few occasions we I have needed my air in my tires checked before going on a road trip and since its near where I live I stopped by without an appt. The owner was always really gracious about having someone check them and didn’t charge me, so I opt to tip them instead. It really made a difference for me and I appreciated their customer service.

I have a scooter with a back tire that’s really difficult to air up. None of the gas station valves will fit it, and I went to three other mechanics first who all couldn’t help me. I was super thankful to have rolled into this place. The guys went out of their way to find the right valve so I could air up my scooter tire, spending 15 minutes of their time with me. When I tried to tip at the end, they refused, and sent me on my way for free.
As a female, I’m always weary of a mechanic trying to rip me off or charge me too much. It was nice that they took their time for me, and didn’t charge me a dime. I was really pleased with the friendliness and helpfulness here and will be back for sure for my automotive needs.

These guys are extremely rude and have no concept of customer service. I brought my car back for a small issue to be looked at — and was very sorry I did
Take my advice and stay away from this place

DO NOT GO HERE. It is a complete scam and a rip off and the owner Allan is a condescending ass. I took my car in on a AAA recomendation. He supposedly replaced the fuel pump and plate and sending unit. Long story short, after 4 visits in and $ 1000 I still am having the same problem and now my check engine light is on and it hadn’t been before. Condescending Allan tells me that he can’t fix the problem and to take it in to the dealership. The dealership fixes it in a day… the kicker? Allan and his team of idiots sawed off the corner of the fuel pump and stripped my gas threads, costing an extra $ 1300 to repair. Damage that he caused! I am reporting him to the BBB and AAA and ruining him on all social media. Do not go to this crook.

I brought my car here when it started having some electrical problems. When I got my car back it was running but had trouble turning on. I brought my car back and after several days to diagnose my car I was recommended a battery change. I paid way to much for parts and services and when I got my car back it was WORSE. My muti-​function button to use my blinkers was no longer working. I took my car to another mechanic who found out why my car wasn’t starting. ELECTRICAL TAPE HAD BEEN LEFT IN MY CAR. Presumably from the original time I brought it in to this establishment. I will never use their services again.

The owner of this business has been harassing his neighbors for years with silly noise complaints about things like… the roofers fixing holes in the bedroom ceiling and roof. There are a lot of old houses on this block. He complained about sprinklers on a wall getting things to moist in his shop… but he leaves both of his roll up doors open and up all day until around 5… or sun down… He has no sympathy for military families who move around a ton. He complained about too much packing material in our shared dumpsters. He rents that building just as We rent ours. 4 other people live in this house with very different schedules. I get to work in one of these domiciales… just got some noise canceling head phones yesterday YAY! :) I digress… in short, the owner is an awful man and does not deserve your money or your business. He has a pony tail and a South African accent. He also treats everyone like garbage, so he isn’t hard to spot! I drive 5 miles away when I need a look under my hood… by people I trust. His air compressor turns on at 7am and it’s all residential all around him… yet he still feels ENTITLED to make everyone’s life a living hell. Misery does love company. PLEASE Do his pissed off neighbors a HUGE favor and make this man understand that his life is not more important than anybody else’s. Thanks for listening ‘Merica! That is all. For now…

For $ 30, you get your smog checked and they’ll electronically send a copy of your certificate directly to DMV. The guys are super cool. There’s no bs and no scam being played. I even lucked out and was done in less time than it would of taken me to walk down to Lei Lounge and have a cocktail.
Just bring in the Reader’s coupon or mention it since it’s normally $ 40.