Local neighborhood auto repair shop. This is definitely a "working" shop and not a "showroom" one. The mechanics seem very experienced and efficient. I came here for a smog check ($75) on a Tuesday afternoon and it was busy, but they were able to get me in and out within an hour (no appointment). They were also really nice and offered to back my car out of the shop for me since it's on a busy street (Mission). :) read more

Everything the staff is professional, honest. A knowledgeable about foreign animal domestic cars. read more

Came in for a smog and oil change on a 2010 S class. I gave Alex full agency to recommend any other maintenance while the car was in the shop. At the end of the day he said all the fluids were fine and there was nothing else needed! Fast, easy, honest, and no nonsense. Would recommend. read more

I was referred to Alex from my next door neighbors late April. This past week was my 2nd time returning to Reliance because I was so impressed with Alex and his team on my first visit. I have a 2014 Acura that is starting to have various issues and the dealer was too expensive. During my first visit, Alex took his time to explain to me what a timing belt does and why cars over time will need it. When I called him this past week because one of my headlights was out he remembered me right away and let me know to come in and he'll take care of the lights. Unfortunately, this time it was more than a simple bulb change since the igniter was burned and melted so it was a bit more work. He explained to me what the igniter does and gave me options since he didn't want me to drive without a headlight. Reliance is honest, great price and great customer service, can't ask for more for a local mechanic who has been in business for 20+ years. He got my business and I will continue to take my vehicles to Alex and his team. read more

I cannot even count how many people I have recommended to go here. I live NOWHERE near this shop but will only bring my early 2000s Subaru here now because I 100% trust them. Alex is a gem - reasonable, thoughtful, frank, experienced, patient, and smart. He takes the time to explain everything and tell you what's essential, what can wait, etc. His advice has never steered me wrong. AND the prices are reasonable! read more

The most Reliant mechanic I have, Alex and Steve. Always help me with any issue and have great prices

Alex best mechanic Ive ever found in driving over 40 years, good man excellent mechanic, goes above and beyond, Took my 1983 Volvo DL when every Volvo "specialist" in Berkeley, the Volvo empire of the Bay area turned me down, I was so deflated, Alex didnt hint that it would be difficult took my car and fixed a problem that other mechanics ran from, literally, deserting me and my car. Go here you are lucky to be near him if in the City...I now live in Berkeley again and am wary of the Volvo Mechanics who have now accepted to "look at" my car, post-pandemic...no matter what they can't compare. read more

Alex is trustworthy and good at his job. I only bring my cars here. I trust anything he tells me about my car. And he's honest. He'll even tell you if there's a cheaper way to do something. With other mechanics, I need to know exactly what they're going to do and why. With Alex, I trust anything he says. Take your car here! read more

One of the most reliable, honest shops I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Been going here since my dad has in the early 2000's, Alex has been through cars I've had with 200k miles to ones with less than 40k. Willing to do most mechanical services aside from body/cosmetic work. No you won't get a car wash, but you will get authentic/stock parts for imports,European and domestic car makers. They'll always call to give you a quote before any major service, and tell you what would be upcoming or work to put on the back burner. Most importantly, they will do inspections for free and if you choose to find another opinion, will put it back together. Anecdotal evidence: My car was new and was under warranty for a problem that occurred. Alex counseled and told me he could do the service but that the manufacturer should be responsible. Saved me money by not paying for service and was honest even though it cost him a service customer! Star smog certified and easy to call and make appointments! And Covid safe too read more

Great place..Alex is professional, efficient, helpful and a pleasure to deal with. We get our cars smog inspected here and wouldn't go any other place. read more

Smog checks - a necessary evil - but who has time to wait around or bargain down the price? So if I find a fast place that doesn't try to bait and switch, I'm sold. I paid $32 - cash only. If you don't have cash on you, all of the major banks have branches within a block or two of the shop. And today I noticed a new office of the San Francisco Federal Credit Union opening on the corner of Mission and Onondaga, right around the corner from the post office. I got the ordeal wrapped up in ten minutes. Don't expect a tidy shop or a comfortable waiting area (the customer entrance is blocked, and the former waiting area is given over to an apparent explosion of abandoned furniture). Also you'll breathe second-hand smoke from the employees, so you might want to walk down the street for some fresh air. However the service I received was prompt, and from what I gather from the majority of the reviews here, the quality of the work is decent. Bottom line: I'll take messy, grumpy and fast over neat, personable and slow. read more

Reliance Auto - Where all the magic happens. At least for those of us who got a DMV smog notice. - Auto Repair Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I heard about this place from my dad when he found about it in the newspaper. This place is the best, come in for a smog check or auto repairs it is quick, convenient and reasonable costs. I've actually driven my Toyota Corolla here to do a smog check 2 years ago. At first, I drove my Lexus GS300 to another smog check station and ended up getting ripped off by paying $60. Smog check for my Corolla was done here. The price was very reasonable and I only paid $40. My dad was pissed when one smog check for the Lexus cost $60 but he liked it when smog check for the Toyota was only $40. Alex and Steve are very knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, and professional. I drove both my cars here today for a smog check, anything from auto repairs and smog check gets done efficiently and professionally. This place is the best auto repair shop and smog check center. 5 stars for: the pricing and service, I really like how they get things done in a very timely manner and with proficiency. I'd highly recommend family, friends, classmates and colleagues to drive their cars here for a smog check. Give it a try! read more

I've taken both my cars here for years and I trust Alex and his crew. They are fast and make sure they find everything that's wrong with your car. read more

$45 cash only (was $32 last year), smog check for cars with OBD plug. Current best price in SF. Asked if he had time for a smog test, parked my car inside garage entrance, and then he brought his laptop and OBD cable. Scanned my DMV renewal form and VIN, got odometer. Plugged device, visually inspect car, started engine and testing. Done within 5 min. Then go to office to print receipt and certificate. Happy customer. :) read more

These guys are great like everyone else said. I came here today for a smog check and called ahead to make sure there was no wait. $31 for a smog check and that includes the ETF and certificate fee. These guys look like they're honest mechanics and will not rip you off by selling unnecessary services. I will bring my car here for service if I ever find the need because their prices are quite competitive. Hugh Y. is correct about the city using this place for automotive repair. I saw a SF medical examiner's van parked in the garage for repairs. read more

We took a car with had been in storage and needed a smog check to this business. We told the guy the car was a little unhappy from being in storage, he asked if the battery had died (it had) and he explained that unless we had driven the car significantly since fixing the battery there the car wound fail. 5 minutes, $0, excellent advice! read more

I own a 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK class. I drive my car fast and hard. I've put a lot of mileage on my vehicle. Alex is knowledgeable, honest and keeps my car in great condition. His work is always high quality and excellent. He explains what he is doing and answers all my questions in a way that I can understand. I highly recommend him! read more

Super nice and they always do a fast smog check. You can go get a sandwich at the Italian deli and come back, the best kind of errand.

Called Monday @ 11:10am. Said I'll be there at 11:45am for a smog check. Arrived on time - was hesistant when I got there because I only saw two mechanics and a whole bunch of cars in the garage. There was one mechanic in the back working on a car and another one in the office. The one in the office came out, as I told him I called for an 11:45am appt. He told me to pull up to the garage, and he worked on my car right away. I asked for a waiting area, but he told me I could wait in my car as it would only take a FEW MiNUTES. And surely, within minutes, my car was smogged, passed, and ready to go. $45 for the smog - out in less than 10 minutes. Overall, EXCELLENT service, guaranteed time - and I would definitely come back again. Thank you Alex!! read more

This is a family run business. You can trust that this place will treat you like family and not cheat you.

After years of dealing with inept and unscrupulous mechanics, I came to the conclusion that the term "trustworthy mechanic" could generally be considered an oxymoron. Lacking the tools, time, and general interest to perform the bulk of the maintenance required to keep my cars running smoothly (including one highly temperamental '69 Camaro), I began a long quest to find a competent and trustworthy mechanic. My quest for this highly elusive and seemingly mystical being (along the lines of a magical, single-horned, white horse) ended several years ago at Reliance Auto. I'd dealt with many mechanics over the years and I'd have to say that Alex, the owner of Reliance Auto, is the most KNOWLEDGEABLE and, more importantly, the most TRUSTWORTHY mechanic with whom I've done business. On one occasion, I brought my ridiculously reliable Acura Legend (aka "La Leyenda Spectacular" ... What, you don't name your cars?) to a local Acura dealership in order to follow up on a recall notification. Having noticed that my windshield washer "jets" weren't functioning properly, the Service Consultant and the mechanic recommended that I have the "jets" and the associated assembly replaced for approximately $75.00. Much to their disappointment, I declined their offer and decided to have the work done at Reliance on my next oil change. Expecting to pay $75.00 for labor and parts, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Alex was able to address the issue at hand WITHOUT having to replace the entire windshield washer assembly. In essence, Alex pulled a MacGyver by blowing air through the windshield washer "jets" with an air compressor and then replacing a dried out rubber hose section. What I found even more amazing was that Alex refused to charge me anything for diagnosing AND providing a fix to address the issue!!! And that is but one minor example of the manner in which Alex goes above and beyond in providing exemplary and TRUSTWORTHY service. Bottom line: if you're in need of a HIGHLY SKILLED mechanic you can TRUST, give Alex a call and tell him that Noel sent you. I'm certain that he and his crew (which includes his two brothers, Steve and Tim) will treat you right ... and possibly ask you, "Who the hell is Noel?" NM P.S. FWIW, I believe that I've been bringing my cars to Reliance Auto for over 10 years now. Yeah, I hold on to my cars - don't judge me. P.P.S. Note that you'll often find SF Police Department (SFPD), SF MUNI, and Department of Public Works (DPW) vehicles being repaired within the Reliance garage. To me, this is indicative of reliable, high-quality work performed by Alex and his crew. Either that, or these guys are running a "Gone In 60 Seconds" program targeting SFPD, SF MUNI, and DPW vehicles ... I kid, I kid - Alex and his team are often contracted to do work for the City and County of San Francisco - nuff said. #noelmadrid read more

Wow. Trustworthy, Efficient AND Fair. Just when you think it can't get any better, they provide INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! For these reasons, Reliance Auto has been the sole service provider for my family's vehicles. Alex and his brothers are always raising the bar! It is SO inconvenient for me to bring my car out here (from Burlingame) for something basic like an oil change, but I have so much T R U S T in this place that I honestly can't see myself going anywhere else for any car-related maintenance & repairs. They were able to take my car with one day notice and turned it around within a few hours. Today, I needed a smog check and oil change. I completely forgot about my broken left turn light *hit a deer. boohoo* (the housing unit was busted so it was held together with some industrial velcro strips underneath!). Well, Alex took it upon himself to go ahead and repair it after I briefly mentioned it when I called to check in on my car. He informed me it was cheap so he just did it. I wanted to hug him! It's so hard to find an auto mechanic you can trust, particularly when you're someone like me who doesn't really know much about cars to begin with... And when you're drivin' around children/teens as often as I am, you really need to be able to rely on the safety of your vehicle. Thanks to Reliance Auto, I feel safe all the time. Support these guys. They're top notch and they keep it real. Thank you so very much, Alex and crew! read more

Easiest smog check I've ever encountered. This place is right across the street from Safeway on Mission Street next to a furniture spot. Dont miss it! Anyways, go online, go to SF advertiser and you can find a coupon for smog check for this place for only $20 and it's about another $12 for the certification and you'll be on your way in about 10-15 minutes. I decided not to call and just show up and told them I wanna get a smog check. Gave them my DMV paper and showed them the printed coupon - the mechanic said ok 10 minutes and BAM it was literally 10 minutes I was out of there. Forget the nice people, this spot will give you quick and very affordable smog check! if you fail your smog test though, i dont know about that one lol read more

My stubborn ass gets me in trouble...like choosing an American car over Japanese. Everyone says it's more practical to choose Japanese because they're sturdy over American. Even so...I love my jeep aka my white horse. It's just that come emergency repair time...frustrations set in. Repairs are not cheap nowadays but I seem to be unable to vent the same reaction towards Alex and the Reliance Auto Body crew because their customer service rocks. Especially with Alex...he cuts to the chase and explains my repairs to me as cool & direct as he can be. I've bitten my lower lip & rolled my eyes when it comes to the costs but I know that I can trust the guy and he watches out for me. He's tried to be reasonable with parts and labor and we've met to an agreement on the costs and I was happy with that despite the fact that the majority of the time I use my car only on the weekends and thought that I shouldn't be spending so much on a weekend car. I won't even mention that on his most busy days and without an appointment he's tried to check my car thoroughly and notified me of repairs at a moment's notice of clanking noises. Hey...I'm paranoid. Even as I say goodbye to going on that short vacation to NYC & oh farewell my black leather boots. These are temporary, of course =) ... I still can gallop on my white horse...hee-haw! read more

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME BRINGING YOUR CAR HERE Let me elaborate... I came here to get a smog certificate for a car i just purchased. The car came with smog legal cold air intake with a visible carb sticker. The technician/owner said he would not smog my car because the hose from the valve cover to the intake pipe did not have a carb sticker on it..WHAT????? I told him the carb sticker is on the intake pipe..but that didn't matter to him. Please tell me what hose has a carb sticker on it. Then he proceeded to say he did not know if that same hose is a heater or emissions hose!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME AGAIN? How did you get your smog license and run a shop? That hose is to help transfer the combustion gasses from the engine crankcase back into the intake manifold so harmful gasses doesn't get released into the atmosphere. I questioned the things he said and he angrily responded, "Look, don't argue with me" Wasted my time with this incompetent shop. I drove off to another shop and was out in less than 10 minutes. I seriously question their ability to fix cars when they can't even distinguish between a heater or emission hose....Let that sink in. read more

My daughter brought her car to Reliance Auto to repair several electrical problems with her vehicle. Several days later, her car stalled on the SF Bay Bridge and she made a call to Alex, the owner of Reliance Auto for advice. Concerned that she had two small children with her, Alex took it upon himself and drove to the Bay Bridge to assist her. He stayed with them to ensure their safety until the tow truck arrived. Alex determined that the alternator had failed which was unrelated to the previous repairs. I am totally surprised that a shop owner would take time from work to help out one of their customers. He was genuinely concerned about their safety. I tried to compensate him for his time, but he refused. He fixed the car and it runs fine. Where can you find service like this? He is caring and trustworthy and his costs are reasonable. read more

Review for smog check: Cheap and fast. 5 stars. Cash only. I'd be a little wary of taking my car here for repairs, the place is really disheveled and dirty. If they treat their shop like that, how are they going to treat your car? read more

Called them up on presidents day, and I got in right away for a smog inspection. No appointment and the guy on the phone was straight forward and up front about time and price. I asked why they quoted 41 bucks and other yelp reviews said 31, and he said mention the yelp or go to http://www.sfadvertiser.com/coupons/reliance-auto-repair-smog-check. Either way, it was fast and cheap. I would recommend it for sure! read more

I knew from the first oil change that this business deserved to be recommended to friends. However, I think I held back from doing it because I greedily wanted Reliance Auto all to myself; it felt like a hidden Excelsior gem. It's only now that I'm moving away that I'm willing to spill the beans. Alex and his team are completely trustworthy. We feel so lucky to have found them. They have worked on our cars for nearly 6 years and every time the job has been done well and in a timely manner. We're gonna miss you, Reliance Auto. May the car owners of San Francisco forever forth realize your mechanical brilliance. read more

I have been using Reliance Auto Repairs for over 8 years now... Alex is the Best! Honest, Skillful , Knowledgeable and Friendly. Their price is hard to beat by any standard. Highly Recommended! read more

My smog check took 6 minutes. SIX! It took me as long to drive there as the entire exam. I didn't even have to take my baby out of the car. We just sat there until it was done. The last smog check I had I had to pay $60 and wait an hour. I will never get another smog check done anywhere else. Amazing. But yes, bring cash. read more

Alex is an extremely friendly, honest, and transparent auto mechanic. I've brought in my beater Nissan Sentra in for maintenance for the past year and he's always provided amazingly affordable and speedy service. My last round of maintenance was to replace my front and rear struts and cat converter. It was supposed to be an easy job but the bolts and emissions system on my car were rusted and fused beyond repair. Alex spent days of extra labor and time to fix the car and make it run 100% better than it's ever run. He continually refused to ask for more to cover the extra days of labor. I'd give more than 5-stars to Reliance Auto and Alex and his crew if I could. read more

Awesome place to go if you need a reliable auto mechanic in the area. Prices and parts are cheaper than your local dealership and these guys can get the job done. They'll also call you to let you know what needs to be done and how much it will be. I've never had a problem here before and Alex (who owns the place) is real chill. The downside is that its on Mission and this intersection can get busy at times as cars will only slow down next to that pedestrian crosswalk. read more

Been coming to this place for last 5 years or so. Very fair prices, if you call ahead he will tell you how busy he is so you don't have to waste time. Have had engine work done on wifes BMW & brakes on both cars, great work. read more

Brought my 2015 Honda Accord to Alex because was making a clicking sound when stopping and accelerating the car. Another mechanic said I needed new engine mounts costing over $1200. Alex said he needed an hour of labor to diagnose the problem and call me back with an estimate. Alex determined the problem as missing screws holding the transmission plate in place. He needed to retread the screws and take the car for inspection drive. He called me back shortly and said the problem has been fixed. Charged me less than 2 hours of labor! Excellent job; honest, knowledgeable, and reliable. Highly recommended. read more

I now have a local mechanic. A few weeks ago, I noticed one of my headlamps was out, and so I picked up the replacement bulb, keeping it in my car, waiting for my convenience. I only drive at night maybe once a month, so I kept putting it off. And then, yesterday, a week-long (projected) storm began. Unable to bike to work and knowing the San Francisco cops are like friggen lions, picking out the weakest on the road, I decided to tough it out and replace it in the rain. A half-hour, a completely soaked pair of jeans, a drenched jacket, and a few tears later, absolutely no progress. Not wanting to deal with a fix-it ticket, I bucked up, went on Yelp, and found this place. A quick call got me a $15 quote for the replacement. The only other place I called said it could be anywhere from $15 to $50, and refused to tell which. Came in once they had the space for me (about 30 minutes later), stood aside, and watched in awe as the entire thing was done in five minutes. Feeling a bit foolish for the one thing I'd missed, I was prepped to pay my $15, and the guy waved me off! I swear, just $15, but there's nothing so exciting about getting out of an unexpected bill for that month. And, before the manager sees that loss and gets angry, this IS my local repair place. And this year, I need my first smog and the 60,000 mile check-up on my car, plus some sort of fuel line or starter issue that may be developing. Five minutes and a fifteen dollar waved bill just got this shop a good couple hundred in business from me. Don't expect to get the same courtesy, of course. I think seeing a soaked-through girl brought out the pity. Still, I couldn't recommend this shop more highly. A bit small, so definitely call ahead for availability, but they're quick, honest, and kind. read more

Always reliable all this years. I moved to South San Francisco in 2010 and thought the distance is an issue and tried the one closer to our home. Bad idea. I went back to Alex and his brothers. Fix my 01 Honda Odyssey transmission. Been years after and the van still in top shape. Brought my 07 chevy blazer with the dreaded effin P0171 code twas a pain to locate but they found it and fixed it without costing an arm and a leg. I introduce a bunch of family and coworkers to Alex and theyre all very happy and at peace with reference to their vehicle repairs. My sister in law even brings pansit for the crew. And btw alex n his shop maintains most of SFPD police cars! Hows that for reference! Thats Reliance to you. Good people and very knowledgeable. read more

Needed a smog check and found Reliance online. With the online coupon this was the cheapest deal I can find. The shop is small and it is super busy (you might have to double park). However they get you out of there quick! Important to note- smog checks are cash only! read more

Alex was the gentleman that helped me with my bmw, very nice guy! Will never forget your kindness, sir. Appreciate you taking the time to perform maintenance on my car on a busy Saturday morning. With dealerships trying to rip you off all the time, it's nice to find a reliable and honest shop. Alex you and your team will always have my business! S. Smith read more

I've done my smog check here the last two times. Service is fast, staff is pleasant. They raise the price a little each year to cover rent. $50 and less than 15 minutes. read more