Our family of four cannot thank Certified Smog and Auto Repair enough for the outstanding service they provided during what could have been a miserable travel day. We were driving home to Phoenix from Los Angeles on a very hot day when, about two hours into our trip, our vehicle's air conditioning suddenly stopped working. With my wife and our two young children (ages 8 and 6) in the car, we knew we needed help fast. AAA directed us to Certified Smog and Auto Repair based on our location, and we're incredibly glad they did. As a AAA-certified repair facility, they took us in immediately and began diagnosing the problem right away. Even better, they completed the repair the very same day, allowing us to continue our trip without an overnight delay or major disruption to our plans. A special thank you to Santiago and Pancho for their professionalism, urgency, and commitment to getting our family back on the road as quickly as possible. Their quick work made all the difference. We also greatly appreciated that they honored our AAA membership and applied a discount to the repair. Considering this was an unexpected emergency repair while traveling, the final cost was very fair and affordable. Thanks to their excellent service, my wife and kids were able to ride the rest of the way home in complete comfort instead of enduring the desert heat. We know every repair situation is different, but based on our experience, this shop absolutely earned a 5-star review from our family. Thank you again, Santiago, Pancho, and everyone at Certified Smog and Auto Repair! read more

If there were 10 Stars i would a just it to 10 .I have been receiving service on our trucks for years and what I can say for sure is that my Husband and I are still driving and still happy with every thing that they have done for us both so far and just to let you know we do not live in Indio we live in Thousand Palms CA. Another example I had my truck towed there today and was not looking forward to what I was sure was going to be a disaster but I also knew that my truck was going to be in the right place with a company that knew after a while that between Santiago & Pancho it would be finished in the best of hands and it was..And that is the main reason I had my truck towed to Certified Smog and Auto Repair. And if you read the above you will know why you will be in the best hands with the Owners Santiago & Pancho in Coachella Valley and why i recommend Certified Smog and Auto Repair read more

My mom came to this place to get her engine fixed and came on two separate occasions, the first time she checked everything obviously to ensure nothing was missing or moved yet the second time she didn't check under the hood if anything was missing this time because she had gained trust in them. Two months later her car battery died (she just bought a new one before taking it into the shop), she noticed her car battery isn't what she bought. She has these receipt and everything from when she bought it and whoever worked on her car switched out her battery. She spent well over 5,000 at this auto shop and for them to still steal something from her is crazy. If you do come here make sure to inspect every inch of your car after they return it!!!! read more

Santiago provide great service. He came recommended by a friend who's very knowledgeable about the auto repair business and the area around here. And he was right. read more

I needed a smog check for my car registration and i needed it in a hurry because I was almost late for my payment. I went to one place which couldn't help me because the smog check guy wasn't there. I found Certified and they helped me right away. The guys were super nice & the price was reasonable. I would recommend Certified to anyone who needs smog service. read more

Great service, this is my 3rd time getting my smog check done. Not a great waiting room. But I wasn't waiting very long.

we have been going to them for over 9 years since we moved here from Orange County to Indio. Santiago and Pancho are amazing. The whole crew is GREAT!!!!! Denise & Jeff read more

I don't live out here but i highly recommend this place to get your car fixed they closed at 6 and the manager Santiago stayed over to help us fix the car and get us back on the road in no time I highly recommend this place for the customer service and the quality of work. Take this picture of the cat I found there read more

Certified Smog & Auto Repair - Cat that was very friendly on the site - Auto Repair Near Me - Indio, California

We have a 2000 Audi that developed a fuel leak and was spraying gas throughout the engine compartment. The tow truck driver recommended Certified Smog and Pancho came in Sunday evening to open the yard so we could drop the car off. Santiago and Pancho checked out the car Monday morning and called to let us know what repairs were required. Original equipment fuel lines were no longer available but they were resourceful and made substitute fuel lines. The car was repaired within 24 hours! These guys are great and I will use them again and highly recommend them. read more

I have an older vehicle so my car has had various issues. I have never been disappointed with the work done by Certified Smog & Auto Repair. Both owners are very knowledgeable and easy to work with. After the work was completed my vehicle passed the emissions test. I always drive out in a clean vehicle. I highly recommend this auto shop. read more

Actually, I was telling the whole story. Yes I originally asked for a price on struts for the hood, the door handle and the cup holder. Pablo gave me the estimate and it was more than I could afford. I asked him how much for just the struts and he told me ~$500 for parts, service, tax. With a YouTube video I was able to order the parts from Amazon ($22) and change them myself in under 5 mins. I asked him about the cup holder and he said told me the price for the part was $1400. I found the part online for $168. The labor time estimated to repair via YouTube videos was substantially less than I was told. We obviously are not going to agree. But I know the questions I asked and I know the answers Pablo gave me. He was courteous and answered the questions I asked. Those were the answers. HAVE A GREAT DAY. read more

Santiago, your top shelf! Thank you so much for taking care of our Range Rover Westminster , BMW 645Ci and Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster! Your attention to detail is on the highest level! You have the best team! We highly recommend your establishment to any and all car owners up to an including the luxury category! Keep up the great work. Look forward to seeing you soon! read more

I've been coming to this smog shop for years, and they've always made the process quick and painless. The team is friendly, straightforward, and doesn't talk down to you, just explains what's needed and gets it done. Appointments are easy, wait times are reasonable, and they run an efficient operation without feeling rushed. Pricing has stayed fair, and I've never felt pressured into unnecessary repairs or add-ons. It's the kind of place where you can tell they value repeat customers and their reputation. If you want an honest, dependable smog check, this is my go-to spot. read more

I had taken my Mercedes diesel to several places and nobody could figure out the problem. I was fortunate enough to meet Santiago and it took a week or more, but he repaired everything and my car runs like brand new. I would highly recommend them for any repairs or smog to be done. read more

Those guys seem to know what they're doing. My girl had her thermostat replaced for a competitive price like 2 month ago. When I topped off the windshield wiper fluids the other day when I opened the hood of her suv I expected it to be sandy as usual. Nope it looked spanking clean! Then I remembered it must have been those guys when they did the thermostat:) Besides that they are easy to work with.They seem to be very honest and reliable. They'll have me as a returning customer. read more

We had car issues during a road trip. AAA recommended them. Their team ran diagnostics and had the part delivered. They had us back on the road with our vehicle all repaired and peace of mind. They were very kind I thank them for their help. read more

Santiago and Pancho taking care of my business fleet since years! I had so many repair shops working on my cars but none was working for me. This guys are awesome and down to earth with pricing but deliver 5star service. Can't rave enough about them! read more

Best repair shop in town. I had multiple vehicles repaired there from minor to major, including an engine rebuild. They are the best. I have vehicles now that haven't needed repair and miss seeing the owners, Santiago and Pancho read more

Had an emergency car situation and Certified Smog & Auto Repair saved the day! The men were extremely helpful and made us a top priority. Would 100% recommend this shop. They were very accommodating. read more

Needed a smog check for my newer Chevy 2500 with no issues. Took me right in and I was out quickly. Professional, courteous and one of the best prices in town. Others quoted me nearly $30 more! It's a AAA approved shop, so I felt really good about it. Nuff said... definitely head to Certified Smog for your smog check and because they're AAA, I may head back for auto repair. Thanks!! read more

I've been taking my 2007 Kia Spectra 5 to Pancho and Santiago for many years because they always get the job done with friendliness and efficiency, while charging fair prices and standing behind their work. They have expanded by adding three top-flight mechanics and both have 30 years of experience working on cars together which they are masterfully applying to their business today. I always tell anyone who needs to fix a car to go see them. read more

Pancho and Santiago took good care of my car. did the work as outlined and no surprises. I will go back again when needed.

WOW....an honest mechanic. My son''s car wouldn't start and we thought it was the battery, or alternator. Neighter were the problem. I called Pancho, the car was towed. Pancho checked all the electric systems and found it to be the starter. Pancho gave me an honest estimate, AAA discount, and told me which after market part to get. He fixed it in a few hours. WOW! This place has been in business for 35 years. I WILL NOW TAKE MY CARS TO THIS SHOP. They are polite, professional, and honest. The price was very reasonable. I highly recommend this shop to a women. They will not take advantage of you like some mechanics. read more

Santiago + Pancho and the team have went above and beyond to fit us into their extremely busy schedule. We had a dead battery which led to discovering a failed alternator due to a failed vac pump. Santiago dug deep and found all these issues which the dealership failed to do. Not to mention he also allowed us to stay on property since we live in a converted RV. Thank you for your kindness/support and mechanical expertise to get us up and running. Dennis. read more

I got in right away. Isaiah took me right away. Very courteous. I wasn't sure about the entrance because of cars parked but I drove between the cars and it was fine read more

I've experienced car difficulties before and as an individual that doesn't know about cars a whole lot, Victor, a technician or owner at Jiffy Lube was beyond helpful. Obviously, out of my depth in this department but Victortook the time to point out my vehicle milestones, and maintenance that's required at a certain times. (I mean literally, he walked me to my car and point led things out) What they were unable to accommodate at the shop he was happy to refer out, but again, as I'm out of my depth it's always a fear of being gouged because I don't know what prices are for certain part however he was very helpful again in that aspect and showed me the price differences. Making feel comfortable and making my need move. Cars are expensive, but he made the experience less frightening and ease. Plus my car runs great now. I have other adjustments to make but at least I know where to go and what needs to be replaced so I'm not taken advantage of. Thanks Victor @ Jiffy Lube. read more

This place deserves more than five stars. This is the best auto repair shop I have ever gone to. Santiago, Pancho and Israel showed me exactly what issues needed to be addressed on my Subaru Outback. They had me come with them to show me what needed to be repaired on the car. Seeing the issues for myself and having them explain why certain things weren't working instilled confidence and trust in me. They explained what my options were, and gave me alternate lists of what the repairs would cost me, depending on which repairs I felt were most important. I am moving out of state, and decided to have all the repairs made. They communicated with me very well, were clear, respectful and efficient. read more

Found this shop after getting my car looked at by a highly recommended shop in Palm Desert and getting a ridiculous repair quote. Took it to Poncho and Santiago, the two owners of the business. They looked it over and did the same quality of work for 1/3 less the price. They are great at what they do and are also very professional. It is just the two of them running the shop and these guys are busy moving the second they open and well after they close. I would not hesitate to come back for anything my vehicle needs. It's not easy running any business post Covid and these guys really give it their all and it shows. Great work at an affordable price! Great job guys! read more

Be prepared if you come here, to have the owner or workers use your car for their personal purposes. Racked up over 100 miles for a minor adjustment NEVER AGAIN. read more

We broke down about 8 miles from Desert Center. The CHP came and escorted us to Desert Center (nice Sgt). We have a Ram 3500 dually towing a 40 foot toy hauler. The next day Chris from A Toe Truck came and towed us to Certified Smog & Auto Repair. They did a check and determined that our radiator had failed along with associated belts, water pump and other items. Santiago said he and others would try a get us out by closing. When they ran it, smoke came from the battery and it was already an hour after closing so we spent the night in the trailer. The next day they fixed that problem. Pancho's son did major work on our truck. Being a NAPA Repair, Santiago said he saved us $$$ on a couple of items. The truck ran great, cooler than it had before. Too bad they are over a hundred miles from our home or I would make them our go-to when we have a problem. read more

Santiago has always done a great job repairing my car in a timely manner. I highly recommend them for all your car repairs or even just an oil change. read more

Santiago was awesome! We're from out of town and they took us in and fixed our car quickly and reliably. Great guys!

In my travels to a Salton Sea event I stopped first to see "Slab City", near Nilan, CA. As I was leaving there I heard and felt my Roadtrek 190 brakes grinding. I detoured to Indio, making a couple calls otw and got ahold of this shop (now about 3:30pm) who said they could get get me on. Arriving there, Poncho determined it was my right rear brake pads (not my front as I had thought) grinding, metal to metal on the rotor and damaged it beyond repair (too thin) and new rotors and pads needed to be installed. Also the right rear caliper wasn't operating correctly so it needed to be replaced. I wasn't exactly happy about the cost but knew I'd have good brakes again traveling thru the hills and mountains of CA and southwest area of the country. And when you're on the road your limited to choices. (Parts and labor was $900) Poncho and Santiago finished my repairs in 2 hours, using NAPA parts that have a good warranty. Out the door at 6pm, I didn't have to wait overnight or get a hotel room. I appreciate that they got me in and out. My only complaint was that Yelp took me to their old location about a mile away! It was all stop and go traffic and I pictured the front brakes locking up before I got there. No worries! I'd recommend them for repairs! read more

Certified Smog & Auto Repair - New rotors - Auto Repair Near Me - Indio, California

See all

Thank god for these guys! I was driving through Indio when my front axle completely broke on my old Subaru forester. They were able to take in my Subaru immediately, get it fixed within a few hours, and charged a very reasonable price. They were friendly and communicative and showed me exactly what had happened. Highly recommend this place! read more

We were in town for the 4th of July weekend and my car wouldn't start. We had the car towed here the day after a holiday and not only were they open, but got us in right away. Everyone was friendly and helpful and my car was repaired (new starter) for a reasonable price and in just a few hours. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Thank you!! read more

My car broke down on the 10 freeway heading towards Scottsdale Arizona outside of Indio. Two women in a vehicle by themselves not knowing where we were was stressful enough. We had a fantastic tow truck driver recommend Santiago. We called Santiago late almost at closing, and he said he would wait for us. We were almost a half an hour away. He waited checef my car out got it back operational and running within an hour. His rates were extremely low and he was just fantastic. I cannot recommend his services enough. I have an Audi Q5, and typically only bring it to Audi service stations, but I will drive two hours from my home in San Dimas California. Just to have Santiago now work on my car going forward. read more

My hubby and I were road-tripping through Indio when we started having battery issues with our Isuzu box truck conversion. Santiago was the ONLY mechanic in town who offered to help us same day. Him and his team diagnosed the issue (after 2 other shops, the Isuzu dealership included) COMPLETELY missed it. I've never seen such hardworking and honest people. Santi stayed until 8p one night working on our rig. They made sure that they got down to the ROOT of the problem and gave us a REAL fix. I HIGHLY recommend this place and these people. We bought them some pizza for the extra mile they went for us, but we owe them so much more. read more

My daughter drove her Suburu from WA to So Cal and on the way her brakes were making a lot of noise. Turned out they needed to be replaced and the car needed servicing. Santiago and Pancho got it all done in a day for a reasonable price. I was so relieved that her car would be fixed and ready for the long drive back. read more

I needed a drivers side light bulb installed and Emmanuel was gracious enough to help me. Amazing customer service.

Had a cracked radiator brought in to Marcelo's auto shop to get replaced finished the job in a few hours. Very friendly staff, the quote he gave me was what I actually paid no hidden fees or extra charge at the time of pick up. He even threw in a car wash. 100% would recommended this place to friends and family. read more