This is the best! I went to Tony Honda for a safety check and they took my $25. but didn't pass me unless I paid $1500 to have brakes redone ! My brakes are fine! I went here to Safety Check and of course I passed and it was so easy with a 10 minute wait, no appointment needed, then 10 minute inspection and they put on my sticker good for the next year. Use Safety Check on Kanalani St by Costco - it is friendly, efficient, and great value!. read more

Best and fast safety checks for all types of vehicles!! They are Fast, Helpful and Friendly!! I don't go anywhere else! This place beats all!!! read more

Friendly and fast. We've been using this location for years. Go early, they close early around 2pm.

Well..... Since these inspections are required every year, Kona Customs is the best place to go for them. Depending on whether the inspection guy is in a good mood on a given day, it can be a pleasant experience, or a real drag. It's hit and miss..... read more

Great Aloha super fast best in kona :), went this morning at opening boy the were busy but worth it.

They're only open from nine till two. I got there at 1:45 and they said they don't have time to do mine. Their counter person is rude and disrespectful. I recommend going somewhere else. read more

I go here every year. Always efficient service with great customer service. A heads up to make it a smooth process. Easier if you have your last safety inspection report, but you definitely need your registration and insurance document. Insurance card can be pulled up online if you don't have a paper copy. Have it ready before you check in at the desk area. Understandably it gets busier as the end of the month approaches as everyone is trying to squeeze their inspection in before it expires. Once the inspection is completed, I go over to DMV kiosk to register my car. FYI- registration kiosk is now INSIDE DMV. The entire process was completed within 30 minutes. read more

I have been coming to Kona Coast Customs for years now. Consistency is key, and they are ALWAYS super fast and even friendlier. I think they do over 70 safety checks a day, yet you always feel like you're the only one. Everyone who works here is always friendly, very thorough, but also very quick. If there isn't a line ahead of you, you are in and out in less than 10 minutes. I'm not sure how safety checks work with revenue, but I sure hope they are being rewarded properly, as they are doing a lot of good work every single day. I never hesitate in bringing all three of my vehicles here. read more

They seem to be racist against kanaka. Maybe not everyone there, but definitely runs through their corporate culture. I waited patiently for 45mins, but was immediately dismissed upon the inspector noticing the Hawaiian flag sun screening device on my back window. She stated some long winded excuse about the laws changing this year, but didn't bother to cite such laws. So what are my options? Remove the flag & return which would put me over my expiration? Knowing the laws myself, I decided to pull over to review the DOT Hawai'i Administrative Rules Title 19 Chapter 142 Section 19-142- 27 (7) which states: Glass, plastic or other material used in windshields and windows shall be inspected for type, damage, discoloration, obstruction, tinting, and operation of any window adjacent to the driver: (A) Any aftermarket sun screening device installed on the glazing material of a vehicle IS ALLOWED on the windshields and the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver; and (B) Any sun screening device installed on the glazing material of a vehicle shall be inspected with a window light transmittance meter certified by its manufacturer for conformance with the minimum light transmittance requirements of not less than 70% light transmittance as indicated by the meter. The Kona Coast Inspector did not inspect any of my windows with a light transmittance meter nor did she offer to check if it was an obstruction. She told me she could give me my documents back or fail my vehicle. I went to another inspection site and was approved within mins. When I returned home, I immediately called to hold the inspector accountable to her actions. I was greeted by their answering machine which informs only of their hours of operation, stated that they do not answer the phone, and does not allow messages to be left. After running this situation by others, I'm considering taking this to the DCCA. I am also a bail bondsman. This is the kind of treatment within our communities that triggers aboriginal trauma, continues to fuel the silent war still raging throughout the current illegal occupation, and surely increases the animosity toward colonizers. It honestly felt like they didn't like seeing a brown girl driving a Tesla. read more

Went for safety inspection for my scooter on 9/20/24. Inspector( a very nice guy) found three minor corrections needed. Including the need for a new rear tire. Returned today 9/26 with needed repairs complete. The inspector ( a different guy ) went through the items with no complaints and asked me to turn off scooter and come to the desk to pay. He he started to take the required pictures and I mentioned that I was challenged by changing the tire but it went well. He went back to the scooter looked at front tire that had lots of tread and was looked at by previous inspector and failed me due to age of tire and a rusty rim. Both of which are reasonable and I would have taken care of it if brought to my attention on first inspection. He asked who looked at it and I told him the guy that was here last Friday. He said that's not possible because there's no repair ticket for a previous inspection. I mentioned to him he was passing me until I conversationally mentioned the challenge I had with the tire change. He denied that. I said come on now. I don't expect a different outcome one. If I need to fix the tire or rim I would but I have to haul my scooter from 40 mile away and it not exactly easy to bring it back repeatedly. Fess up. You were going to pass me until I was starting a friendly conversation about my back tire. He denied that and I said be accountable for yourself. I'll make the repair and return but you know you were passing me admit it. I also asked for a repair ticket tied to scooter and He said if you force me to admit that I will ban you from the store for all future inspections and there will be no need for repair ticket. ( which is available to inspection stations statewide) I said do what you can live with. He said OK. I was. Now you're banned. Don't ever return. I went to a different shop and they passed me easily. I have been coming to this shop for more than 15 years for all my inspections and have referred dozens of new arrivals to this store. The owner I know from our church. He was not present. I won't return and will no longer refer anyone to this shop. read more

Always friendly and nice people , Quik inspect done . Move easily convenient location . Highly recommended read more

Kona Coast Customs - Car Inspectors Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

This business does the annual DMV vehicle safety inspections. This annual service is required for all vehicles and trailers in the state of Hawaii. Long story. I have a small zodiac-type of boat which is kept on a trailer. The trailer has to have the annual safety inspection. I take the trailer with the boat on it to be inspected. The lady at the window tells me I have to remove the boat from the trailer. Oddly enough, the first time I had it inspected at another facility, this was not required. So I talk to the inspector at this facility and he tells me he only need the weights of the boat and motor, or I can take it to a facility to get it weighed. No problem. I have the manuals that state the weights of both the boat and the motor. Several days later, I bust my butt getting everything together and go to Kona Coast Customs, thinking I'm good to go. Not so fast, honey. I get to the window, explain the situation and the lady says she'll talk to the inspector. The inspector NOW says 'you need to go to Junkyard Dogs and have them weigh the trailer'. Oh-kay. And off I go again. GPS took me to the wrong place, but that's a different headache. I find Junkyard Dogs eventually. Okay. Another hoop to jump through. Junkyard Dogs wants the registration for the boat. The boat? Why? I explain that I only need the total weight to register the trailer. Confusion ensues. Explanations are finally understood. $40 later, I have my paperwork. Forty. F*ing. Dollars. $40 to weigh a tiny boat on a trailer. I can guarantee I'll never go back there again. This was an expensive lesson. I'll be posting a warning about Junkyard Dogs. I get back to Kona Coast Customs. 'I need the insurance papers for the vehicle towing it'. Back to my car to pull out paperwork I didn't know I needed. These people need to provide a checklist and an explanation of what they need, what they can and can't do, and why they need it. The inspection is to make sure everything works (lights mostly) and to make sure the trailer isn't overloaded (big boat, tiny trailer). After a relatively short wait I get to go in. Inspections are passed. The bill is paid & I'm legal for another year. You'd think a little common sense would have come into play here. My trailer is bigger than my truck. My boat is tiny by comparison. Anyone with an eyeball and a working brain can see my trailer isn't overloaded. It took 3 hours and $58 to accomplish something that should have taken less than 10 minutes and $18. To their credit, the inspector (whom I believe was in training - nice lady) gave me the number of the government agency responsible for all this expensive insanity. Calls will be made. If you experience problems with safety inspections in Hawaii, here's the number to complain to. 808-692-7661 read more

I was having a very bad day until I showed up at Kona Coast Customs. I had gone through quite the ordeal to get my out of state car licensed and registered. It took months through DMV, so when I finally arrived at Kona Coast, plates in hand, the owner said plates had to be on the car. I have zero skills to do that, plus my car had incorrect holes for the plates. In the true spirit of aloha, the owner helped me and even re-drilled the holes for my plates. They were so nice and really helped this damsel in distress. U love this company and their great service! Karen Russell read more

See all

This is the place to go to get a fast appointment for safety inspection. They work so efficiently and staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend to all! read more

Efficient, plus helped explain a DMV issue/solution. Will use again for annual inspection.

There were about 6 people in front of me but it went fairly quick. Took my truck from the mainland one day and motorcycle from the mainland the next day. IF YOU SHIPPED YOUR VEHICLE OVER HERE THEN YOU MUST BRING YOUR BILL OF LADING (that they gave you at the docks), Your Registration and Drivers License. The website doesn't mention bringing the Bill of LADING. I would suggest doing your own safety inspection at home before you drive over there. I'm sure you can find the parameters online. The people there are really cool and helpful and it's an easy in and out. You gotta get the inspection done before you go to DMV and they will ask you if you have an appointment yet. read more

The owner was extremely rude and condescending. He is not honest about the length of time you have in order to get the safety inspection after the temporary on a vehicle from out of state. He tells people the wrong time frame because of "You people." I had to turn my back to him because God only knows what I would have said to him. Take your business someplace else. He was blatantly disrespectful. read more

Used to go here years ago but bad experiences made me go elsewhere. Recently tried them again. They are EVEN WORSE! Very rude! Front end lady was terrible and then a guy from the shop popped out making the situation worse with his big mouth! WON'T EVER GO BACK !! read more

Went here because I thought it was fast, nope. Not at all. Went at 1, told me to come back at 2, came back at like 2:05, didn't get in the garage till almost 3. Told me they can't pass me because my tint was 1.5% lower than the legal limit and refused to check other windows. Everyone knows tint on windows varies even within inches... there were rude about it. What a waste of time. Went somewhere else and they looked at every window and I passed. read more

Go in the morning when the owners are there. They are helpful, courteous, friendly, and professional. The after staff I tried to work with were the opposite of all such aptitudes. If it wasn't for the owners I would not recommend this company at all. The woman of advanced years working the afternoon was full of excuses why they couldn't help me finish up the business I had started with the owners. The is the 4th trip to this business. This is ridiculous. When I became frustrated, because the stupid afternoon worker was saying my paperwork wasn't in order yet it was the same as I had a few hours earlier, some guy who tried to be intimidating came from the back and asked what was the problem. I asked the woman to call the owner who accepted the paperwork earlier. The woman said it would not change anything nor could it until tomorrow. In addressing the man, I tried to yield some compassion for the hag stating "she was doing the best she could." She took offense to this. The "bouncer" said he thought I should leave. I agreed since they were obviously all incompetent. My God!! What has this world come to when people are offended by someone acknowledging that they don't have the authority or skill set to resolve an issue and help the client. I will now drive my vehicle with legal registration but expired/failed with grace period safety inspection for the next 3 days. That is the earliest time I have available. I will resolve this with the friendly owners who I worked with this morning. That will be my 5th and final trip. I trust the owners. They are good people. Sorry I can't give a 5 Star Star this time. read more

The rules change week to week... one receptionist says you need last year's safety even though you don't (and the company says here in Yelp that you don't). Didn't need it on Oahu either. They could be much more efficient if the person "on deck" was allowed to pull around before the person getting inspected was finished. Also why doesn't the receptionist take payment. Wastes the inspectors time. Sometimes there is no wait but they will fail old cars that were not built with today's requirements (front license plate etc). The insanely chipper lady is super fake. Only one of the receptionists is genuinely nice. read more

Kona Coast Customs is the place to go for your motorcycle safety inspection. I was exhausted and in pain (surgery next week) upon arrival. I was struggling with my bike and they went over and beyond to help me move the bike around and get it inspected. They are very caring and made sure I was able to make the return trip. Thank you for your patience and kindness. Highly recommend! read more

Let's be clear . If you have any kind of disability . Any kind . These people Will tell you to come back with someone who can help you . They do not accommodate any kind of assistance regardless of how basic it is . I had to come back 2x because their directions where no clear . Epic fail . read more

First time using kona coast customs and what great service! Fast and friendly and I like the fact they just do safety checks, no upselling other services. Highly recommend. read more

Great time saver, and as easy as it gets for getting your inspection. Also conveniently located because most of us need to go to Costco and it is right there on the way! You just drop in and sign their check in sheet -- and maybe 10-15 minutes later you drive into their bay and then the folks take over and look it over. Very pleasant people running the place -- almost makes you want ALREADY just go get your NEXT inspection! Definitely going back next year! read more

for your info i got my truck safety checked the same day these clowns turned me away.

NEVER AGAIN !!! We have had 2 bad experiences with this business. The first was when we took our car there for a safety check. The owner told us that our tint was above the legal limit and to take our car back to where we had it tinted. This was fine but he was incredibly rude and abrasive telling us this like we did something wrong. We took our car the tint company used two different meters to check our tint, both were the same number which was well below the legal limit. We then took our car to Lex Brodies for the Safety Check and once again the tint meter came in well below the legal limit. We had a great experience at Lex Brodies, the crew there was polite, competent and speedy! Hopefully Kona Coast Customs got their meter re-calibrated since then. The second strike was with a friend who wanted to get a safety check there while we were already in the area. Once again, the owner acted like he was doing her a favor, and was down right rude again! She said that was it for her also. Normally, business owners treat their customers with politeness and respect, because they want their return business. There are many local Safety Check business around Kona, go to one that appreciates your business. read more

Very friendly staff and quick service. Highly recommend this to anyone in need of a safety inspection! I will 100% be returning here and sending all my friends and family here! read more

No appointments - first come first serve which is awesome when you need it done asap. Very professional organized & fast. No extra bs or dirty workers in your car. Easiest safety check I ever had. read more

Dog pile on the 5 star reviews. In this case, though, it's well deserved. These folks are the best. Fast, efficient, thorough...they get it done. I won't go anywhere else for my safety inspections. read more

Very speedy vehicle safety check. Price was very reasonable. No waiting time and convenient location to the DMV office. Parking was not an issue. Facilities were clean. Staff were very friendly and helpful. I will certainly use them again when I need my next safety check! Mahalo Kona Coast Customs! read more

Moved through very quickly... I was the 6th car in line and with a bit of patients, the time went by very fast. Thank you for being there and being very pleasant. read more

Great doing business with these people. Found them here on Yelp and they live up to the 5 star review. Fast, friendly and efficient.

Sadly, their team is unprofessional, unorganized and caused a much unneeded headache during our inspection process. Would definitely recommend going elsewhere! read more

I get my bike and cars safety checked here. In and out in less than 15 minutes. No appointment necessary, first come - first served. Highly recommended! read more

I have brought many bikes in for safety checks. Probably 5 to 10 bikes over the last 3 years. Jim and Cathy are fair and consistent about the laws for bikes. If somebody had a bad experience it was because they brought in an illegal bike and had expectation that it should pass anyway. I bring in bikes that are ready to pass inspection and everything is all smiles. Highly recommended. read more

Friendly and helpful owners. Great service department. Good price on Harley rentals.

This is the fastest and most efficient safety check I ever had! I was greeted with aloha, gave my papers then the couple works as a team to do the safety check. I would definitely go back to Kona Coast Customs! Thank you for great customer service! read more

Usually right on in the past...but, not this week. I got there at 9 AM from Waimea to see a sign that stated October's new hours: Noon to 3:30 PM...Ok, had other errands to do, etc. Went back @ Noon only to see around 10 or more folks waiting in line. Ok, had more errands to do. I went back around 2 PM and I was the 6th inline so I had to wait. Asked why the shorten hours, not enough business or something? Lady said the manager was on vacation and they only had 1 inspector...they seem to have a different inspection procedure now and the inspector does everything. In other words, you used to sit behind the wheel and turn lights on, step on break, etc. now he does everything and has hanging mirrors that he looks at. If you read this I suggest you call ahead and ask about their staffing for that day. Long story short...took way too long for a simple inspection...and I'm sure everyone ahead of me that day agrees...at least I got all of my errands accomplished. read more

I took my out of state car in and was told my window tinting was to dark, but they knew a guy that could take care of that. Really?? how much are you making on the side by cheating people with out of state plates? Guess what, went somewhere else and my tinting was indeed at the legal mark of 30. Don't trust this guy if you have out of state plates, he will figure out a problem with your vehicle but has a friend that can fix it! read more