AAA Smog Center

4.9 (779 reviews)

Smog Check Stations, Registration Services, Fingerprinting

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Services - AAA Smog Center

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AAA Smog Center - inside - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Santee, California

AAA Smog Center - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Santee, California

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AAA Smog Center - Prices July 2025 - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Santee, California

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Eleana S.

I'm so happy someone told me about the smog and registration process because when I returned to California, it was so easy to talk to the people there. I forgot their names, but everyone was professional and knew exactly what to do for my car. Joyful because it's close to our neighborhood, definitely worth it! I got the smog check done first, then the registration, even though it wasn't on the same day. It was such a smooth experience!

Laura Noelle D.

Smog and Registration Center is THE PLACE TO GO for one stop services for vehicles. They were fantastic in Smogging my older 2001 car, getting 2025 registration tags, ordering a duplicate title (can't find original) and installed my new custom license plate! Matt mechanic was A+ and very knowledgeable about cars. And... the best part was my car PASSED SMOG!!! Hooray!!! PS I was referred to Smog center Star certified by Muffler Performance Center and Honda car dealership service and repair department! Thank you!

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Jason H.

14 years ago

Great Service - was in and out in 15 minutes. Very friendly place to get your smog done. Thanks

Helpful 5

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Ron K.

14 years ago

Fast, Friendly, Affordable - what else can I say? Found this place on Yelp after not realizing I needed a Smog Check for my registration renewal. Small shop, doesn't look like much but I was in and out in 20 minutes. Super comfortable waiting room chairs were great while I replied to some work emails. Definitely will be back and I absolutely recommend AAA Smog Center to anyone. They also gave me $10 off once I mentioned that I found them on Yelp. read more

Helpful 5

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Sam M.

14 years ago

Great place. highly recommended. The people were very kind, the service was excellent, the place was clean and the price was less than forty dollars with the coupon..OTD! Got my car registered and sticker on my plates right next door. refreshing to see businesses like these. read more

Helpful 5

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Gabby E.

1891

9 years ago

Sam was here to welcome me in and took care of me right away. I came here to get a smog check and it took about 12 mins. I will come here again and recommend this place for smog checks they also do your car registration right there and hand you your tags within minutes. read more

Helpful 5

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Jim M.

14 years ago

Just took my car in for a smog check at AAA smog. I got an excellent rate, service was quick and Jay, the owner, even took a few minutes to give me suggestions for improvements to my car. I was born and raised in El Cajon and continue to do business in the area. I will take my car here for future smogs as well as refer my family and friends to this place. read more

Helpful 4

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Kimberly H.

102

14 years ago

I was going to take my car to Smog Check only on Mission Gorge, but when I yelped it and saw the horrible reviews, I changed my mind and took it here instead. So glad I did!! The customer service is amazing, the price can't be beat and since I found them on Yelp, they gave me a $10 discount! The check was quick. Took about 20 minutes and my three kids were kept entertained by the TV inside. Great people, great place, great prices!!! Can't beat it! read more

Helpful 4

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Les F.

106

14 years ago

Very good service, fast, no appointment needed. I used a coupon on their website.

Helpful 4

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Paul N.

7 years ago

A++++ Service! Extremely friendly, quick, helpful, and honest. Would highly recommend if you need a smog or auto repair. I will be back for sure. read more

Helpful 2

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Eric D.

14 years ago

Took my wife's 1998 Honda Civic and my 2006 Civic here for smog checks today. Service was great, very friendly and fast. I was out in 20 minutes for each car. The coupon on their website was very helpful as well, smog only costs $35/car with the coupon so the total was under $50 out the door. Highly recommended and will definitely be back for future smog needs. Thanks!! read more

Helpful 5

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Scott M.

6 years ago

Passed smog and registered in about an hour. 350 dollars total including smog. 100 for smog. 1990 out of state vehicle. No problems. Very satisfied with this place. They even installed the license plates for me. I drove to five other places in town before I found this place to smog my car, it was either too tall or too old for the other smog shops. And, the convenience of not having to drive to DMV and deal with those people is definitely worth the additional cost. To be honest, I don't even know if there was an additional cost. Doesn't matter, I'd go there again. read more

Helpful 1

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Joshua R.

14 years ago

Great place! Very fast and very friendly! Will definitely be doing business here again.

Helpful 4

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Jennifer C.

14 years ago

I searched Yelp for a smog center and came across this place with it's great reviews and 5 star ratings which all served to be true. Very friendly, they honored a coupon I could not print out = AWESOME!!! I have never been anywhere that would do that. Quick too~only 15 mins. read more

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Samantha C.

Elite 18

242

308

9 years ago

This center is a hidden gem! Only possible downside I could think of was that there is no free re-tests. If you aren't worried about possibly failing, take the drive to Santee and get your car smogged! There is not much of a wait, we were actually the only ones getting our smog done. It is very reasonably priced, we only found this and one other establishment giving us the low price. Checking in was EASY. There was a little waiting area, it was not too hot inside. Best of all? THEY ARE OPEN SUNDAYS. read more

Helpful 4

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K. D.

15 years ago

showed up without appt. because 1 shop couldn't smog our car. They got us right in, no low ball quote. $39.00 out the door. Also quoted great price for oil change and said they would be any price for tires. We will be using them again. read more

Helpful 5

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Theresa W.

13 years ago

Went there for a smog check in May and it was quick and easy. The owners were nice, friendly and thanked me more than once for the business. Will be taking my other car there when it's due. read more

Helpful 3

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Darrell H.

141

13 years ago

Needed to get a smog done on the fly. I was able to drive right up, they got started. The couple that runs the place were friendly and professional. My 87 BMW passed and everything was great. Thanks again AAA Smog Center. read more

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San Diego Resident R.

9 years ago

Friendly customer service. Fast service. Best prices! Thank you! This is the best place in Santee yo have you car smogged for cheap and fast! read more

Helpful 5

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Teddy B.

Elite 22

254

417

283

11 years ago

The AAA Smog Center is Great. This is right next to my favorite auto registration place. Quick in and out. Fair prices. Gets the job done. What more can you ask for at a place like this? read more

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Amy S.

11 years ago

I've been coming to this smog shop for six years now (total of three smogs). They are quick, friendly, and remember me every time. I will keep coming back here! read more

Helpful 4

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Christian F.

15 years ago

Very new place just opened 4 days ago and they sure do have a great place! Very nice And helpful guys tell you exactly what they will be doing to your car. Give this place a shot you won't regret it. One thing is the place is still be worked on inside which makes sense because they just opened not even a week ago but it ain't even bad very clean inside! Cheap, fast, and convient! Run by two guys who own the place only people they have so far so the person you will be taken care of is the guy who owns the place very cool read more

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Phillip K.

153

14 years ago

Fast service! In and out in minutes and they beat other prices ($31.25 out the door for my car, 2006 Scion Xa). they asked me to write a review and I'm glad to do it :) read more

Helpful 2

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Diane W.

13 years ago

Today I thought I would fail my smog but it passed and I couldn't be happier. The service was top notch and the second time I have gone to this smog center. It is family owned business which shows in the quality of their work. The personal service was the best I have experienced in San Diego. I plan to use this smog center again and have recommended this place to my family and friends. read more

Helpful 3

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Karina J.

11 years ago

I searched the internet looking for the cheapest place to get my car smogged. I found this place on Craigslist. They were by far the cheapest smog shop anywhere in town. They were also very friendly and fast. I don't think I was there any longer than 15 minutes. If you want fast, friendly and a cheap price, you won't regret taking your car there. read more

Helpful 3

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Todd B.

13 years ago

Went to AAA to get my truck smogged this morning. Couldn't have been a better experience. The couple that owns the shop were awesome. Very nice and inviting. The waiting area was clean and comfortable. Took less than 15 min and I was out of there. I highly recommend them if you need your car smogged. I will definitely be going there for all of my future smog needs and referring my family and friends there as well! read more

Helpful 3

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Scott A.

276

11 years ago

Great smog testing place. Walked with no appointment and my vehicle was being tested with in minutes. This two man crew was very efficient and quick. After the test the technician explained the results. My only disappointment was that "the view" was on the TV in the waiting room. Haha. I recommend this place to everyone. read more

Helpful 3

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Anon. L.

12 years ago

Fast, courteous service. Will definitely go back! I would recommend this place to anyone in Santee area. Minus one star for making it more expensive to test an older car and not offering a free retest if you fail. read more

Helpful 3

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Citaly C.

9 years ago

Very fast, efficient ! Nice gentleman. I was in and out by the end of closing time in less than 25 minutes

Helpful 3

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Landon S.

190

10 years ago

Amazing smog place in Santee. Friendly polite and very quick. Been here a few times would recommend it to anyone

Helpful 3

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Bronson R.

1511

10 years ago

Called in and asked if I needed to set up and appointment he said no come in and we will get you in as soon as possible. Not crowded not empty. Fast easy check in and fast service. I used more Yelp coupon and he was glad to use it. Saved me 10 bucks. Recommend this smog check place to everyone. read more

Helpful 5

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Frances C.

245

13 years ago

Take your vehicle here! I went last night and these were the nicest people I have ever met, like seriously, no joke, sweetest people. They are also STAR certified. I found all the great yelp reviews and went. It didn't take long at all (less than 30 min I think but we were the only ones there at the time). Their chairs are comfortable, and they put the tv on for us too. Support this small business! I'm definitely bringing my business to them next time I need a smog check! :) read more

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Sandra H.

10 years ago

2nd time bringing our vehicle here. We were in and out in 15 min. I LOVE being able to support a business who values their customers. The people that work here are so polite and welcoming and always greet you with a smile. I feel so appreciated which is unusual these days. I will continue to support this business as well as continue to recommend them to my family and friends. read more

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Jay C.

162

13 years ago

Another 5 star place in Santee. Location is right by the sheriffs office in Santee off of Cayumaca st. Its in a row of stores next to a locksmith. Family run organization and fast and friendly. When you turn off of Cayumaca don't go to fast you will pass the entrance to the little shopping mall strip parking lot on the left. Once you enter it AAA Smog will be on your right next to tried City Locksmith. Fair prices and fast great service. read more

Helpful 3

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Christopher D.

10 years ago

AAA+ service. Place is great! It was quick and easy and took about twenty minutes total for two cars. Will be making the drive to do business here more often. read more

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Janice H.

13 years ago

Took my truck here to get it smogged. I've always been real leary of getting my car smogged by shady people, sticking a wrench in my engine to get it to fail only to have them refer me to their cousin shop who will take care of me for real "cheap". Had no bad feelings here at all... The wife was really sweet and got me in and out right away. Her husband said "you must take care of your cars, this thing passed with flying colors". I will forever take my cars here as long as i live in san diego county. read more

Helpful 4

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Richard C.

12 years ago

I have had my car smogged twice here and the service and price can't be beat. The interior is a little barren and can get humid/stuffy, but the smog test is over so quickly and the turnaround time is so small that you don't even notice it as your car keys are handed back to you. If you ever get hungry, there's Emma's mexican food directly across the parking lot. Always check their website for a coupon or discount! I once forgot to print out the coupon and just mentioned that I found them on Yelp and still received $15 off. read more

Helpful 3

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Joseph N.

11 years ago

My third smog check here. Great service every time. Recommend this place to my wife. She also had a good experience here.

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G Y.

101

181

10 years ago

Checked in to get my discount, fast & friendly service. I don't look forward to doing my smog checks but coming here was fast and easy, I would come here again. read more

Helpful 2

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Dave B.

10 years ago

Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, fast. You can't ask for more with this kinda thing. If you need a smog check and your within a 30 mile radius, come here. read more

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Candice R.

153

10 years ago

If you need a smog, this is your place! Just had an issue with my car and my van needed a smog for valid registration. Called them after finding them from a Google search; they said to come in, it took less than 15 minutes start to finish and price was far less than anywhere else. Amazing, great waiting room, very friendly! read more

Helpful 3

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Doug V.

193

13 years ago

Friendly, quick, competitive pricing and large waiting room with huge t.v. I drove about 15 miles to get there past other smog places because of their deal for retesting and because of their Yelp reviews. They also have registration in the same office which is a super bonus. Great experience! read more

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Page 12 of 20

8781 Cuyamaca St
Ste O
Santee, CA 92071
Directions
(619) 328-1100
Call Now
Visit Website
https://aaasmogsantee.com

Payment methods

Does AAA Smog Center take Bitcoin?

No, AAA Smog Center does not take Bitcoin.

Does AAA Smog Center take credit cards?

Yes, AAA Smog Center takes credit cards.

Other Amenities

Does AAA Smog Center have free WiFi?

Yes, AAA Smog Center has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We are a State of California licensed Star Smog Test and Repair Facility. It offers smog checks for foreign and domestic vehicles. This includes RV's, vehicles that run on diesel and more. It also offers "gross polluter" and "Change of Ownership" certifications. Services are available for walk-in customers and by appointment.We not only proud ourselves on an average wait time of well under 30 minutes, but also, no appointment needed! STAR Certified Smog Station. . 2 Machines. Open Sundays and most Holidays. Remember that official DMV license plates, stickers and registration cards are issued directly from our office.

History

Established in 2011.

AAA Smog Center has been providing fast and friendly Smog Test & Repair, Oil Changes, Brakes & more for Santee, Lakeside and El Cajon area for over ten years.

Meet the Business Owner: Matt K.

After years of sitting behind a desk in the corporate world, I wanted to do something more. I wanted to do something meaningful. I decided to make a change and go in a different direction. While I did not grow up working on cars, over the years I have developed an appreciation for all things automotive. My interest grew and I wanted to be involved in the automotive industry. Family owned and operated business, we live and work here. Come support your local small business.

More Info

Hours

Ask the Community - AAA Smog Center

Where do you find the coupons?

Make year model of your vehicle please. Thanks

View question details

Am I able to register my car as salvage here?

Is the car owner by you and was just salvaged? I believe the answer is YES but I would call them to double check. They can look everything up for you with your Vin.…

View question details

Are you guys still open for business?

We are 9 to 3pm 7 days a week.

View question details

Is this a Star Station?

Yes

View 1 more answer

Can I bring my RV in to get smogged?

I have no doubt

View 1 more answer

Am I able to schedule an appointment ahead of time or do you only accept walk ins?

You can do either and that would be fine. Whatever is easier for you .

View question details

Do you provide VIN verification services?

Thanks for contacting us. We do provide Vin Verification at our location in Santee. Just let you know that we are no mobile. If you have any further questions please call us at 619-328-1111. Thanks

View question details

Do you also offer boat registration in addition to your regular auto registration?

Yes. You can come in anytime when we are open and we would be glad to help you take care of all your registration needs. Give us a call for pricing tomorrow 619-328-1100 . Thank you for your business.

View question details

How do I transfer my vehicle title to a family member. What if it's a gift?

Please call us with Licence plate and VIN number 619-328-1100. Thanks

View question details

Can I do my Out of State Vehicle transfer at your shop? What all do I need to do ? And what do I need to bring? My car is a 2012 Honda Civic.

In order to complete the transaction, you would need to get a smog and a VIN verification, bring the title, ( if you have it) , or current registration, ( if you have a lien holder).We can transfer your car to California registration here , with…

View question details

Hi, Do you guys provide registration renewal stickers on the spot or it comes in mail. I need my renewal stickers today. Thanks

They give them to you right then.

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View All 15 Questions

Review Highlights - AAA Smog Center

“This is my second visit--same super fast, polite, and reliable service as the first time, except that I showed up minutes before closing.”

Mentioned in 78 reviews

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I forgot to review this right away, (so sadly I forgot her name) but there's an awesome employee…read morethat works the front counter. She is honest and patient. She was also super helpful with all my questions. This is a solid spot to go.

Nice guys fast services. Used the Notary services but this place does so much more…read more I'll use them again.

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Holly was incredibly kind and Mike was very efficient. It was very affordable. I highly recommend…read moreI'll be back. I got a smog check and it went great. Thank you Holly for being so wonderful to me today.

Had to run out here because the DMV wanted a smog way earlier than I was supposed to get it. I was…read morereceiving new plates. I got to the literally 20 minutes before closing. They were all nice and chill to talk to, I was in and out. If you need anything done to your car, they can do it. They do repairs, they buy and sell cars. It literally is a one stop shop. The value of service they provide is immense.

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I highly recommend this place. Hanar is very helpful and very knowledgeable. I commend her for…read moredoing a great job.

I had a very busy day yesterday. Fortunately, my day started well when I met Diana! She was busy…read morewhen I arrived. She was involved with a phone call, taking care of paperwork, but still noticed when I came in and welcomed me to sign in. The sign in sheet showed she had a very busy morning. I had a scheduled appointment, but she was nice enough to go ahead and do my fingerprinting. I was grateful! She was very nice! Professional and very personable. I shouldn't have bothered her by asking questions as she was concentrating to get the best prints possible when prints didn't click the first time, but she answered my questions and didn't show any frustration. Everything ended well! Diana started my day off very well! I especially appreciate the fact that she did my LiveScan right away and did not make me wait. This hasn't always been the case at other offices when the person doing the prints was not busy and I arrived early. Diana was great!

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I needed Live Scan fingerprinting for my new job and found Scripps Ranch Mobile Notary on Yelp. I…read moremessaged Dipti via Yelp and she responded pretty quickly and was available to meet me the next day at my desired time. She was very quick and easy to communicate with via Yelp! She told me what to bring with me so I was ready. I met her at her residence; she has a small professional area set up right when you walk in through the door. The whole process was very smooth and I got my fingerprinting done in under 10 minutes. Dipti was very kind, friendly, and did the job quickly. She signed off on my paperwork and told me what would happen next. I had a really pleasant fingerprinting experience with Dipti and would highly recommend doing your Live Scan with her as well as her other services! :)

I recently completed a livescan with Dipti at Scripps Ranch Notary & Live Scan. To say the…read moreexperience was stellar would be an understatement. My schedule is jam packed and every day is a full day. Dipti fit me in to a tiny window of time I had on short notice. She made sure to prep me on what would be needed. Upon arrival, parking was easy and there was no waiting. She had everything set up ready to go. Her testing facility was clean, had the latest tech making the experience seamless and you could see she was a pro at using it. Dipti is one of the most pleasant people you could ever meet. Overall she made getting this needed service an experience you would have expected to pay a premium price for, but instead her rates were quite reasonable. Thanks Dipti & Scripps Ranch Mobile Notary & Live Scan!

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I have come here a couple of times to get documents notarized. The service was quick and the people…read morethat helped me were friendly.

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Less than 5 min time, there was no wait. Didn't need an appointment, just did a walk in.read more

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Great place to get fingerprinted for a summer volunteer position. It was not crowded. I was in and…read moreout quickly. They are knowledgeable and kind!

Well I would like to say I was Very impressed with a few of there security team. I came across a…read moreyoung man just the other week at one of my bars out in LA . I notice him and his friends were checking all the i.d cards and it's like a rhythm they had I never seen before. I asked the young man about were he got his start at like were, he stated (I started out with excell security for 3 pluse years) but the mostly thing that took my breath away is how him and his team are very polite and professional there are. I asked the a young woman by the name of Lizzie who showed her how to do the job. She said and point to the young man I talked to be for I notice the hole team was on point at my establishment but hey this company out San Diego. Rely knows how to show customer service with a bright attitude and wonderful smile.

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This was the fastest livescan I've ever had done. In and out in minutes. Great service and great…read morepeople working here. Thanks!

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Talk about 5 star service! I had a last minute urgent matter that needed a notary. Not only was…read moreBrooke quick to respond, she was an absolute rock star, professional, flexible and accommodating. She made the drive to our hotel for a very important document we needed done asap. If you are reading this review please don't waste time reaching out to anyone else. Her pricing was/is more than reasonable and the service was top tier. I highly recommend her services. 10/10!

Smogs N Tags

4.4

(9 reviews)

Thanks for being open on weekends especially on Sunday. I work M-F and sometimes on Saturday. I was…read morelooking for a place to do my smog test and registration. A friend recommended Smogs N Tags. I am so glad because they were so fast and affordable. I was in and out within 20 minutes. Also, I will be back for Oil Change. Apparently, they also do complete auto repair. Being open on weekends is what sold me to this business.

Smog check was needed. No appointment needed. Drove in a Sat afternoon and was taken care of…read moreimmediately! Took less than 30 Minutes. Moderate price at $65 for a SUV! Looks like you can get your car registered, notary, and other things. Super convenient.

Discount Tire

4.1

(427 reviews)

Wow Kenny and his team made me feel great. Bought a set of four new tires and price matched the…read moreInternet price. I drove home and got a screw stuck in my tire the same day. They fixed it the next day. Always go to discount over Costco in my opinion. You will save $ and have better customer service. Pro tip: always get tread wear rating above 500 If you want your tires to last.

After being made aware of my concerns. The Discount team worked to make sure I was…read moreMade happy. They refunded me and all is well:) Thank you Rich:)

Sparky's Transmission

4.4

(29 reviews)

Had to buy a used tranny from pick a part. When removed from the vehicle the mechanic I hired at…read morethe junkyard parking lot pulled the transmission for $150 (cheap). Cali, did a decent job but did not know the trans had a drain plug installed. Smashed my overdrive. John and his crew put me on the road and i'm still running strong today 5 years later. Professional& prompt, Worth the extra dollar for quality work. When it comes to transmissions don't 2nd guess, call sparkeys!! Thanks John.,

My friend Matt was storing his vintage F150 pick-up truck at my house for a while until he was…read moreready to start the restoration process. That time came and the first order of business was the transmission. Matt wanted Sparky's in Santee for the job. Matt lives in north county and I live in Santee, so he called Sparky's let them know what was up. I was to call to arrange to drop it off. Matt said the gentleman he spoke with, John, I believe, was super cool I called and spoke with John and he was indeed super cool. I made arrangements to drop off the truck the following day. The next day when I arrived I was greeted by John and he was as super cool in person as he was on the phone. I immediately knew why Matt picked Sparky's to take care of his truck. Fast forward about a week. I received a text from Matt. "Please give Sparky's a 5-star Yelp. They were f***n' awesome!" Next up is engine work and Sparky's even delivered the truck to Roy Wheeler Automotive where that will take place.

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

329 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Mike T.

14 years ago

I called AAA Smog Center after looking up smog test shops open on Sundays. The person answering the phone was very pleasant and said I could come right down. Upon arrival, I was greeted at the door by a very nice older couple and found out that they were the owners. I found out that the owner spent 30+ years in the Merchant Marine and was the Chief Engineer. He took my Ford Ranger to the testing area after letting me know that it would be 50.00 out the door (this is the fee for a truck. Cars are less). There is a liquor store in the same complex and they were very nice over there as well. If you go during the week, there is a Mexican food restaurant. The testing process took about 30 minutes. My truck was handled with care. After the inspection/ test, the owners took the time to explain what the reading meant and where my truck rated ( very low to no emissions) He gave recommendation on keeping my truck running clean. I asked to pay the bill and it was 50.00, just as i was quoted in the beginning. This included everything including transmitting the information to the DMV. I made it back home after several hours of errands and logged on to the DMV website to pay my registration fees, no problems, SMOG information went through and i paid. I have to say that this was one of my best experiences dealing with people in the Automotive industry. This is a family owned and operated business and it is obvious that they rally care about their customers. They have owned this business for less than a year. Please help this business to succeed, by bringing you vehicles to their shop to be smog ed. I will be recommending them to my family, friends and of course YOU! Mike T. read more

Kaelee K.

10 years ago

Not that they need anymore 5 star ratings, but man do they deserve it! Called about total price to smog my 2010 Toyota Camry (this is the first smog I have needed for it) and they said they'd give me the coupon price for $40 out the door. Asked about wait time or if I needed an appointment, they said they were working on 1 car, and by the time I came in there would be no wait...so I headed over. Pulled up, walked in, was helped right away. One gentleman took my info and the man I spoke with on the phone came out and took my keys. I had several questions and they were all answered kindly. They said 15 minutes, so I sat down and waited. They have plenty of comfy chairs and a TV to watch. 15 minutes? Ha, try less than 10! It was awesome, as my car was being pulled around I was rang up and to my surprise, no added fees, taxes, charges, etc. It was literally $40 even! Friendly, fast, no BS, just a smog done right. This is my new go to for smog hands down, and I will definitely be referring them to everyone. Oh, and if anyone was wondering, I don't think you get a discount for writing a review (at least I didn't see anything about that), so these are all actual happy customer reviews! Incredible to have that many great reviews without any gimmicks. Really not surprised though given my experience. Thank you AAA Smog! read more

Ashley N.

253

165

8 years ago

My whole life growing up, my parents took cars of pretty much everything for me. It was all great until I became an adult and the real world hit me fast. My family lives on the East Coast so I am pretty much on my own out here in beautiful Southern California. When my car broke down it was beyond repair and I ended up buying a used car as a replacement. I thought it would be easy as giving the seller some cash and I could drive the car away no problem. Little did I know I had to deal with registration, smog and the whole shabang. Luckily for me, my parents hoped on Yelp and found Smogs N Tags that came as one of the most highly rated smog and vehicle registration locations in Santee. I figured I had to set an appointment so I gave them a call and they just told me to come on down and they would take care of me. I thought I would be there for hours but they were able to get everything done in under 30 minutes. They made is painless and stress free, they took care of all the paperwork for me. The staff was incredibly friendly and answered all of my questions and concerns. I also learned that they offer live scan fingerprinting services which I needed for my new job so I knocked out two birds with one stone. I felt so productive! read more

Jack H.

12 years ago

I went in to get my truck smogged today and as a repeat customer I already know that this place was fast, friendly, and reasonable. Unfortunately, this time there was a problem with my truck. I had an aftermarket cold air intake that I had installed about 4 years ago, and there wasn't a CARB sticker on it. The owner, who was very apologetic told me that he couldn't pass it due to this issue unless I could get the CARB EO number from the company. I was able to look up the company info and get a phone number while he waited and I called the company and found out that this particular system was not approved. The owner apologized again and actually started to look up systems on his computer there to give me an idea of the prices of getting a new cold air intake. I told him I would be going to get one and installing it and that I would be back later. A couple of hours later, after buying a new (and CARB approved) intake and installing it on my truck, I returned to the shop. 10 minutes later, my truck was resmogged and, using the coupon they had, cost me a total of 45 dollars. Very fast service, willing to work with customers, very reasonable prices. Don't go anywhere else. read more

Hadi H.

1 year ago

I am very happy with this smog shop. They are open 7 days. They are Star station. I needed a smog from a star station. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because my car is old. Anyway, I called around and they had best price in town. I brought my car and they greeted me right away and asked what year is my car. I taught oh no they are gonna find an excuse not to test my car. Other shops tell me there machine is down or tech is not available. I told him it is a 1995 Toyota Camry. He asked how far did I drive or travel to the shop? I said maybe 2 to 3 minutes. I am local. The technician advised for me to drive vehicle 15 to 20 minutes to give my car batter chance to pass. So, I drove car for 15 minutes on the freeway and went back to shop. They were waiting for me and took my car right away to test it. I waited in their beautiful waiting room. The mural on the walls are so nice and relaxing. Before I knew it, they were done with inspection and car passed with flying colors. Thank you for the helpful tip and best service ever. read more

Dan N.

187

7 years ago

Unless you need to get a drivers license or something related to identification, there is really no reason to go to the DMV any more. I actually didn't believe my brother at first when he told me I could go to Smogs N Tags when I needed to get my registration renewed. Sure enough after a brief convo with the super friendly owner, Jim, I learned the really did offer auto registration renewal along with pretty much all the other DMV services including title transfer, vin verification, boat registration, they even have a notary on staff! I have been visiting their Santee location for the past two years. I flip cars on the side so I have been averaging 5 smogs per month lately. Since I also work a 9-5, it is so convenient to have a location like Smog's N Tags that opens early, stays open late, and is even open during the weekends! If you are looking for a reliable shop for your smog test or auto registration in Santee, don't even think about going anywhere else. Type Smogs N Tags into your navigation and drive over!! read more

Linh N.

9 years ago

What more can I say about this place! They are honest, friendly and kind people. I bought a used BMW and it failed smog due to some tempering that the previous owner did with the check engine light that kept it from showing on the dash. Jim the owner was so kind and reassured me that things would be find and just bring it back once repairs are done and he would scan the vehicle first before the re smog to ensure it would pass. I ended up getting the vehicle fixed and brought it back. Jim kept his promised and scan the vehicle first for free and sure enough it was NOT ready to be smog. I would have had to pay another $20 if it failed and needed another retest so I was really impress with their honesty. Jim told me to drive it between 55-59 mph so the computer would pick up the new sensor and sure enough the next day I brought it back and it passed with flying colors. I Highly recommend this place for all your smog and DMV needs. Oh and BTW I also got my license plate and registration done at the same time! read more

Rob M.

13 years ago

Fast-Friendly-Honest. On a Saturday night I realized I needed a smog check for my registration due in two days. I checked online for places open on Sunday in my area--Otay Ranch / Eastlaske. I found a few places that either listed online as being open, but were actually closed that day and places with unfavorable reviews. I have a 2007 FJ Cruiser so I knew it would pass--I just needed a quick test without any hassles, extra cost or BS. I came across AAA Smog Center online and saw they were open on Sunday. It was a little bit of a drive from South Bay to East County, but I didn't want to drive all over Chula Vista on a Sunday trying to find a place. I was cheerfully greeted before walking in, helped right away, waited a few minutes for another patron to be finished, had my car tested and was out the door. The couple who own/run the shop were awesome. They even honored the online coupon I had on my phone--I didn't have time to print it out. It's this kind of service that gets repeat customers and referrals. read more

Julia C.

Elite 18

136

8 years ago

I consider myself a very independent woman but when it comes to DMV related tasks like vehicle registration and smog testing, I find myself a bit over my head. Just walking through the doors of a DMV center gives me anxiety. I knew there had to be an easier way. I am so relieved I decided to hop online a few months back and do some research when my car needed new registration. I had no idea you could avoid the DMV completely and come to places like Smogs N Tags. It seems like these types of places are a dime a dozen but it looked like everyone had only amazing things to say about Smogs N Tags, and after visiting them for a few different services, I completely understand why. The staff is incredible. They take all the headache and hassle out of the DMV. Always with a smile on their faces. I have seen a few difficult customers during my visits here and the staff always handled the situations perfectly. I wouldn't go to another location for my smog testing or vehicle registration if you paid me! read more

Tony M.

9 years ago

I went to aaa smog center in Santee to get a smog and registration done. From the start I was hesitant to go to this place as I have been before with a bad experience. The second time in was no better. They tried to over charge me and after a small debate it was settled. I was not happy that I had to wait two hours for a simple smog and they did not cover my seats when getting in and out I was very disappointed. Communication on how long I was going to have to wait was not good either. They told me 15 minutes for two hours. I would rather go to the DMV and it is faster at the DMV!!! They specifically ask me to leave them a positive yelp review when I was leaving. I truly wish I could leave a better review if I had a better experience. On a positive note they do have a nice mural on the wall inside the office. Update the owner keeps contacting me trying to force a confrontation for my review. I try to be honest and add as much detail as possible per yelp recommendations of a complete review. read more

J B.

14 years ago

Needed a smog, had the option of going to any station (wasn't a smog test only). I called around a few Santee places. While I found one other place besides AAA Smog that had a slightly better price by $8 (most places were more!), I chose AAA Smog because they told me I didn't need an appointment and could come right in on Saturday. Plus, they only do smogs so no waiting around while some guiy gets an oil change. I also liked their price quoted to me over the phone. Got in to the store, a modest place, and the man helped me right away with a smile. He recognized my truck and re-quoted me the price he gave over the phone, which was about $20 cheaper than the posted price in store (he was giving me a local coupon without even asking). Job was done quickly without incident. When I paid they were friendly and asked that I come back and tell a friend - so I'm telling Yelp! Go see these guys and you can eat mexican food across the driveway while you wait! read more

Mark K.

10 years ago

My wife's been doing smog check duty for the past few years. With her back at work, it was my turn. She said go to this place (AAA Smog), because she's never had any issues since going there. I called them and asked if the service 4WD light would prevent passing, The man that answered said no, bring it in and they could have me out in not time. I was there in 5 minutes and out in 15, all good. They even went the extra yard and honored a coupon that really wasn't for my vehicle (saved me a few bucks). Note..I think the guys running the shop would like everyone to know they're not "indians". Great review by Audrey, but she's got it wrong regarding that. Good group of guys, foreign, maybe, but about as "Americanized" (for lack of a better non-racial description) as can be. 3 thumbs up! (p.s...no...I did not get compensated in any way for saying any of this (like WISH and other sites have you disclose)) read more

Dave D.

8 years ago

I'm giving them five stars because of the excellent customer service in spite of my lack of knowledge concerning smog and title transfer. First I went there for a smog immediately after getting a new battery in my car which caused me to fail because I had not completed the "drive cycle" to reset my cars computer. They told me what I needed to do so I could reset the computer. Secondly, when I went to register my car and get the title transferred into my name I misread my info on the screen and told them it was good when it wasn't. I didn't realize my mistake until I was about to walk out of the store. They were very kind and patient with me and said they could void the previous registration with the DMV and call me when they fixed it. a few hours later they called me and I picked up my corrected registration same day. In short great, quick service from nice people instead of hours at the DMV. read more

Justin W.

13 years ago

I took my car -- 1994 Honda Civic DX -- to Aaa Smog Center this morning because it is right by my house and the reviews on Yelp are amazing. Unfortunately, my car did not pass the 15 MPH HC (PPM) test the first time around due to a timing/idling issue. After some strong advice from the technician -- I believe his name is Sayed -- I fixed my issue and returned for a retest, then my car passed with flying colors. I would highly recommend this spot if you're looking to get a smog check by an honest and knowledgeable technician. I understand it wasn't his job to give me the advice that he did, as this shop is smog check only and not smog check and repair, but he did anyways. His advice saved me a lot of time and a few dollars, so I am very grateful for the service I received. I will be returning here for all future smog tests, as well as recommending it to my family and friends. Thank you, again! read more

Benjamin O.

12 years ago

Best customer service I've ever encountered! I recently retrieved my vehicle from a 24 month long term storage and needed a smog check. Upon seeing the reviews I decided to give this place a try and drive 30 minutes to the shop. They asked how I found them and I mentioned yelp which automatically gave me a discount of around $15. Following that the initial smog test failed but not due to my vehicle, more due to it not being driven in so long. They were honest about the issue and gave me directions on how long to drive and what speeds. I appreciated the honesty up front vs failing me or saying they can't do it and still charging me. After driving around for the rest of the evening I returned the following morning and was placed ahead of the line to finish my check in which I passed. The couple working here is extremely friendly and helpful. Wish nothing but the best to them. Thank you! read more

Donna W.

124

133

8 years ago

Take my advice. If you need smog testing or you need to get vehicle registration in Santee, El Cajon, or Lakeside, come here first. Don't waste your time with some of the other similar businesses in the area. Smogs N Tags is the only place that actually knows what they are doing. Everywhere else is just trying to get your money in ever way possible. My family and I have been taking our cars here ever since they opened shop. We are a big family, and I can confidently say that no one has ever has less than an awesome experience with Jim (the owner) and the rest of his staff. It is a family run operation so they actually take great pride on their work, something that is hard to come across these days. Their website is also a useful tool if you just want to learn about vehicle registration, smog testing, and other DMV services. It is a great site to keep in your bookmarks just in case! read more

Scotty P.

7 years ago

I used to live in Arizona, AKA the Wild West, where there were much less stringent regulations for smog and emissions. I am not saying that is a good thing, I want this planet to be clean for my grandchildren, but I love older cars, so passing smog checks are always a pain. My neighbor suggested Smogs N Tags when I needed to get my cars smogged and registered in California. I was beyond surprised to have my 1991 Mercedes pass the smog no problem, however it was my 1989 BMW that failed the smog test. Jim, the super nice guy that owns the place, recommended a mechanic who could get me fixed up so I would be able to pass the smog. Sure enough after a hundred dollar fix, I took my BMW back to Smogs N Tags and it passed with flying colors! Jim also helped me with my auto registration. I just moved to Santee but I already know where I am going for all my smog! read more

Sy Sy G.

1 year ago

Wow. Best Smog Shop in San Diego. My car did not pass smog initially. It failed for monitors not ready. The girl at the front desk asked if I replaced my battery or had some work done at a repair shop. I replaced my battery a week ago. Apparently, I did not drive enough to complete monitors due to battery chg. She was soon nice and polite. She explained that I have to drive more in order for monitors to complete. She gave me some tips on how to complete monitors and pass smog. I followed her instructions and wallah my car passed smog a couple of days later. I was also able to pay for my registration and got my stickers. This place is amazing and quick. Everyone is so nice and professional. I will be back and recommend to friends. They are very honest and helpful. I thought I have to spend more money to fix something. Thanks again. read more

Sophie C.

Elite 18

127

128

9 years ago

My husband is always buying uses cars and somehow it becomes by job to get them smog tested and deal with the vehicle registration. It was a big pain in the butt until I found this vehicle registration service center in Santee. They have the best workers here. They don't mess around. They get right down to business and take care of you and get you back out the door in no time at all. I am a very busy woman so I can really appreciate it. I also love how clean and nice it is inside. Some other smog testing places I used to go to I didn't even feel safe sitting down in case I would get oil on my dress. This place is spotless. It feels more like a doctor office than an auto service center. Don't go anywhere else for your vehicle registration or smog testing. This place does it all! read more

Raul M.

13 years ago

OMG! OMG! This place is the MOST trust Worthy SMOG PLACE EVER!! WHY! Most SMOG DO NOT care about you. they just want your money. but this guys is AWESOME!! He look at my car and perform a Pre-Test "FREE" and he told me there is a HIGH changes that your car will pass but he can't guarantee it. I toke his suggestion and 15 Minutes later. BOOM.. I pass. I'm not writing this because iam SO happy I pass my smog. I'm writing this review due to the fact. that that Both the WIFE and the Husband was Super friendly and HONEST. GO GIVE BUSINESS TO AAA SMOG CENTER!!! They are the BEST.. SH!T I'm still happy. the best Customer Service at a smog shop EVER. NOW i just need to find a Mechanic with the same trust worthy and a great Customer service like AAA SmOg Center Provided me.. read more

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