They are very friendly, efficient & honest people. Their price is reasonable. My dad brings his cars there as well.

Great experience! Needed to get a smog check for my 2017 Honda Accord. I hesitated bc of the reviews but glad I didn't bc the employee was great and so was the quick service. I live in the community and glad to support a local business. read more

very unpleasant and would not try bringing my truck here again. alex was very rude and unprofessional.

a little worried about the reviews, but once I got there they took care of me right away, straight to business. That's all I needed very quick prompt. Best price is around. read more

Balboa Smog Test & Lube Center - Quick & easy! - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Van Nuys, California

This place always provides fast & top notch service! I'll definitely always be a client here.

I came here to get my 2013 Corolla smogged and due to the battery recently being replaced the monitors came out as not ready. So they guy charged me $39 and said drive around on the highway and came back for a test which I was fine with obviously it the monitor is not ready he can't test. So I drove across town and back and double checked with obd scanner that the monitors were ready. So I head back to him same day maybe 1 or 2 hrs later and he tried to refuse to test my car stating that he can not test it the same day and I have to wait a day or 2 . For what? I have no idea!! I stood my ground and demanded he test the car since he has already made me pay 90% of the fee anyway! He eventually tested the car and it passed but he charged me an additional $37 on top of the $39 I have already paid! I am not even sure if that's legal! I will not be coming back here !!! read more

Balboa Smog Test & Lube Center - Receipt - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Van Nuys, California

I've been coming here for years. The attendant is always polite and professional. Today I changed my oil and had a new air filter installed because I had not noticed how filthy it had become. I think their prices are competitive, and I appreciate the service. read more

I pulled up around 2pm on a Thursday to get an oil change & the guy tells me he's only accepting cash and if I want to pay with a card I have to come at 8:30 am. I don't even understand that but obviously he didn't want my business. Went down the street to jiffy lube read more

I love Balboa smog test and oil change i have been bringing my vehicle here since 2013 i have never been dissatisfied they are nice and great customer service in a timely manner read more

Balboa Smog Test & Lube Center - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Van Nuys, California

I will never use this place again. I spent $65 for my car to almost blow up. You sit in your car while they do your oil change, he never put oil in my car after he change the filter at all, and my car heated to 240. I went to go pull the dipstick and check the oil and it was completely bone dry Do not go here. Waste of money and so mad. read more

Quick and to the point, plus they had a great online coupon! I'll definitely be coming back

Terrible customer service. I went there for smog check and informed them that the battery was just changed they started doing the smog check then 15 min later the guy came back and asked me if I just changed the battery? I told him yes as I said when I got there. He charged me 39$ and said to go drive and come back and they still have to charge me again for the smog check. He pointed to the writing he has that they charge even if the smog doesn't pass which was hidden behind the garage door. They should mention that they charge even if smog doesn't pass special I told him as soon as I got there that the battery was just changed. Also this was the 1st place I've been that charges even when smog doesn't pass. They were also very rude both the smog guy and the oil change guy. read more

Quick and easy smog check test done in 10 mins, took a Walk around the block and by the time I came back, it was done! read more

My husband has been going to this place well over 15 years. Once you do a good job you have a customer for life thats my husband. Now this place lost a loyal customer. He went to get a quick oil change for a car they have in the system already. He went 45mins before closing time. The person refused him service, gave him attitude and told him to go somewhere else! AND INDEED HE DID! He went straight to Jiffy Lube. The prices are the same. They always have coupons for services and they are always considerate and don't have a poor attitude towards thier customers. So Rude and bad business etiquette! read more

Good place overall. Quick in and out for an oil change.Maybe a language barrier but the owner ( I think he does the smog and his partner or assistant does the oil changes) don't speak to you. They just say "hi" and "ok thank you". I recommend their business however. read more

Very unprofessional. I had called prior asking what time they close and once I get there they closed early not following the schedule online. They lied to me and wasted my time coming here when it's urgent then all of a sudden said "CASH Only" only card from 8-12. Which makes no sense they should've said that to me over the phone. Very rude don't recommend coming here for a shitty customer service read more

This smog check and oil change is the best place, very friendly. I checked smog check for pricing to several places. This place has the cheapest and best place. I recommend it to all. My car is a1999 Toyota Siena the price was $67.25 with tax. Other places charge well over $110. read more

Balboa Smog Test & Lube Center - Best value - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Van Nuys, California

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I've been coming here for years. Drive through oil change??? Yes please!! They even check your and fix your air tire pressure. Most of the time there isn't a line.... But even when there is... waiting in your comfy car with music on.... $43 for a 2010 Corolla....service completed In less than 20 minutes...You can't beat that! read more

A lot of smog check places recently started raising their prices and charge ridiculously high amounts for pre-2000 vehicles. My vehicle was due for it's 2 year STAR smog so I called this shop. $57.25 for my older car. Very reasonable price. (Newer cars are cheaper.) Was very quick, they weren't busy at all. If I didn't change the oil on my car myself, I would bring it here. They had a large selection of different types of oils you can choose from and not just a standard cheap barrel oil like most quick lube shops have. This is a good neighborhood oil/smog shop to give your business to. read more

Do not take your car here! 3rd time I've tried to take my 91' Thunderbird and each time it's a different excuse why they can't smog test it. 1st time the same guy said "It wont pass" after he opened the hood and looked and by the way it's a really clean great running engine. 2nd time same guy said his machine wasn't working but he must have not noticed I had to wait for a 90' Cadillac to finish smog testing. Today he now claims his machine is broken and he can't do any cars but what about the guy that was driving out when I drove in? If the franchise owners reads this, you need to fire this guy because he's just plain lazy and is turning business away. read more

Charged me $60 plus $37 more for retest been coming to them for 8 years now his prices are too HIGH now will not be coming back ever again. STAY AWAY read more

I took my Toyota truck there today for an oil change.That,s all they do.The owner was rude and said he wouldn,t do it.Yet he did it for me last yr.Said he didnt.Straight called me a liar.Dont go to these piece of shit dinks. read more

A LOT OF THESE REVIEWS ARE BUSINESS ATTACKS. IF YOU READ A BAD REVIEW AND THEY SAY GO TO ANOTHER BUSINESS INSTEAD, IT'S A DEAD GIVE-AWAY. DON'T BE FOOLED. I've been going here for oil changes and smog tests for about 8 years now. This place is great. I always try to go when there won't be a line. It's popular BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD so it gets packed. They are quick and friendly. That being said, the guy who used to run the business before he moved out of state, was the real deal. He was so nice and would share tips. He whistled while he worked all the time; I took it as a sign of him actually enjoying his duties. The new guys learned under him, but they can't replicate, of course. These guys always check your tire pressure & pump, fill washing fluid, and even check your air filter from time-to-time. The only reason I'm taking one star off is because last time they replaced my air filter (I knew it had to be replaced) without asking me if I wanted to purchase it from them. It would've been like $3 cheaper if I got it myself, which is negligible, but I believe I should make the decision before they open a box and replace it with their own will and then put it on the bill without asking for approval. I told them they should check with the customer first when it happened and they said it's cheaper than any other business and while I can't confirm that and it may very well be true, it doesn't change the fact they need to ask first. Otherwise the work is A+. You can trust these guys to handle your car with care. read more

Quick, fast and easy. I sit in my car and they change my oil while I wait. Get there a bit early when you can so you don't have to wait, but this is the easiest oil change I have ever experienced! And, its right around the corner from me. read more

Did a walk in the other day for an oil change. Apparently I'd waited too long to change my oil, but he taught me how to check my oil and what level it should be without me even asking. I saw he had some windshield wipers too so I asked him to replace mine too. He told me the ones I have were super easy to replace and the ones at Costco are better than what he has. A car mechanic turning down an opportunity for a sale! Imagine that. Super trustworthy, good guy. read more

Long story - sorry! I've been going to Balboa Smog & Lube for 44 years and loved it. It was convenient and I always had good service...UNTIL last week when I went in to get my vehicle smog checked. I had gone to the Auto Club to get my tags and could not complete the transaction until I had smog checked my vehicle. I paid for the tags and left to go get my car checked and I went to my trusty neighborhood smog check station. The woman I had been dealing with at the Auto Club mentioned that the smog check station needed to scan the bar code on the receipt and then come back and pick up the tags. I mention to the guy at Balboa Smog Test & Lube and he immediately starts to scream at me! Scream!!! And the obscenities and f-bombs coming out of his mouth hit me square in the face. F you, you effing b*&^%, over and over again. I scan the door not the paper he kept saying and I was trying to explain that the woman told me the paper needed to be scanned. I left and will NEVER EVER go back. I did find a great Smog Test station close by and was treated so Win situation!!! What a great gentleman and gentle man he was! I will be going back there next time and will mention him to all my friends! We all need our vehicles smog checked! read more

I went there for a smog check. I waited for the technician to finish lunch. Then he has me pull into the garage. I step out for a min while he starts the smog check. After 20 sec, he stops and says "There's too much echo. I won't do the inspection, get out". The technician was rude and dismissive. I will never recommend this place to another person. My husband took my car to another smog inspection place and my car passed, no problem. read more

After make me wait 30 minutes they finally put my car to do the oil change, One minute after he said he cannot do the oil change on my car because it's too hard. I don't recommend this place read more

Fast and friendly. No waiting line, took my car in right away.Staff was friendly and service was speedy! Highly recommend! :D read more

I went to this shop to change engiene oil last week . Their staff was so nice !!! They cared for other part too. read more

These guys were really fast, polite and professional. I recommend it here. Pretty low cost too for the oil change.

Will never go back. They just don't care how many people are there waiting in the hot sun. They're putsin around, eating, on the phone, laughing it up and ignoring their customers. They are also rude. read more

So I almost didn't go to this place for a smog check after seeing the 3 star average rating. I'm glad I decided to come here and check it out for myself. I only had a short window during lunch to get my smog check since I had a meeting right after lunch, and they accommodated me and did it very quickly. I'm not sure why this place got low ratings. read more

This is my go to business for smog checks and oil changes. They do a great full service job. They don't try to sell you anything more than what you came for. Also, if they notice something that should be looked into, they tell you. Don't trust the bad reviews that recommend other businesses. read more

Fast service and good price. It was in n out. Thank you! I had no issue. I got lucky they serviced my car right away. No gimmicks or hidden fees. read more

If I could I put 0 stars . I'm customer for this store over a 12 years , I have 5 cars and trucks I could say every month I go to this store for oil change, since the owner of the store left the store to 2 employees, quality of work and attitude of the employees getting worse. I was there today , usually I buy oil and filter from dealer and this store just charge me for labor. This time I didn't have oil filter, I ask them to use their oil filter. As soon as the staff put oil in the engine without check the gage to make sure enough oil is there or not or turn on the engine to make sure no oil leaks. . Just they closed the hood and ask for my card to charge meI. ask you didn't check the oil gage or leaks . He said no need. When he charged my card he gave me receipt just showed labor only, I asked you didn't change the oil filter, he said yes I did. I said your invoice show just labor. He said this is it don't come to this store anymore. I'm so sorry for the owner of this business, because he worked so hard to keep the customers but this 2 guys no care . I'm not recommending to use this store poor service and rude staffs read more

I took my VW GTI 2007 on 9/11/17 for a rutile oil change. I noticed that my car was leaking oil after that, so I took my car back to Balboa Smog Test and Oil Change to take a look at it. They told me that my oil housing shrunk so the oil filter that they put in was too big creating leaks in the housing. I have done my research and got a second opinion from a qualified mechanic who said "That there is no way that the housing shrunk" and explained to me how the people who changed my oil where trying to jam a bigger filter into the housing which lead to it cracking. I would not recommend this place for anybody looking to get their oil change because the people there are incompetent, don't have proper training and then cover up for their mistakes at the expense of their customers.! read more

Been going here for over 20 years, I see them for synthetic oil change. They are quick and do excellent work, I've never had an issue. Will be going there hopefully for the next 20! read more

Good service and reasonable charge! Technician is very kind and knowledgeable. Been there several times and never dissatisfied.

These people here are nothing but rip off artists!! I brought my car in to get it smogged (simple) and it didn't pass the first time because It had something wrong that is common in cars manufactured by Nissan(‍mkay). So I took my car to my personal mechanic who went over EVERYTHING and he ran a diagnostic and that code continued to come up. I then took my car to a different smog place that was recommended by my mechanic and upon inspection they were shocked to see that the car didn't pass. THEN I come to find out that the code that was coming up was considered a "soft code" , and according to these folks at the FULLY LICENSED recommended smog station, they say "Everybody in this business knows that this soft code is NOT something that would prevent a car from passing.............In fact it's caused by a manufactures defect in older Nissan built cars such as mine". So the guy at the Balboa place upcharged me $58 for my first time and said I had to wait "30 days" to bring it back (..BULL__SH*T ...First-Off) aaaand if I brought it back to him the next time to get it re-smogged he would only charge me $8,. So I'm out $64 because he doesn't know what the f**k he was doing. At the end of the day I had to get it done at a separate place, ( OF WHICH IT PASSED FIRST TIME), and PAY FULL PRICE AGAIN!! Funny how full price at the other smog station was only $48 instead of $58. This is the last thing we needed to do to before selling my car. The owners lack of knowledge and professionalism delayed the sale of my car and lost us a potential buyer. I do not recommend going here. And if you did already .........I'm sorry for you. Notice how most of the positive comments are from people who appear to be Asian, and all the negative comments are from any and everyone else from different cultures/ ethnicities. Is this prejudice? read more