I stopped here without an appointment and was told it would be 45 minutes to an hour for walking in. It was less! I was pleasantly surprised about this. I had my smog done in no time and service was quick and efficient. They have one tv in the small lobby with about 6-8 chairs. I can't remember what show was playing around 3 pm or so but it was interesting enough to hold my attention a bit while I waited the short time. Cost was also very reasonable at $60 for the smog check. I'd highly recommend and I'll be back next year since now my car requires the smog check. read more

Needed a smog check on short notice. Was able to get in right away. Everything was efficient, not over-priced, and easy.

I needed to smog check my car for registration and happened to be in the area. Stopped by without an appointment and was greeted and assisted immediately. The technician and the owner/manager were both courteous and hard working. They finished up the customer before me, assisted me, and then assisted the next customer who arrived shortly after me. The staff here is efficient - by the afternoon, my registration was completed on line without issue. read more

David's shop is the best smog check in San Diego! This guy goes above & beyond with customer service & price! Can't beat $55! I've called around places for pricing & this place is the cheapest, cleanest, & friendliest shop around. Quick in & out in 15 minutes! It does get busy sometimes, but I've never waited more than 30 minutes. He tries to get you out of there quick as possible. If your car doesn't past smog, he gives you advice on what to do next. read more

This guy is super nice and helpful with a great attitude. He clearly cares about your experience and is very thorough with explaining the process. I would definitely recommend him to anyone needing a smog test read more

Real honest staff; you can put a price tag on that! After trying to service me, I didn't get charged and got advice to fix the problem.

Found this place as I was searching yelp this morning and boy am I happy that I did. The dude was energetic and professional. I came in expecting him to spend up to an hour on my car, so I went down to starbucks to get some coffee. I came back thinking that he was still working on car, only to find out he was done. I swear I was only gone for 20 minutes. Dude was fast. I will definitely come back, NEXT YEAR. read more

No wonder this place gets so many five-star ratings! "What a pleasant experience" - says nobody about smog, ever... until they come here. I probably called the place three times with stupid questions. No worries, though, the owner was kind and didn't act rude with all the dumb questions I had. I was running really late coming back from Arizona and needed to get a smog test so I didn't have to pay a late fee on my registration. I got in with just a few minutes left until close but it was no problem, the owner was happy to help me. I spent my wait time playing with the owner's little puppy. Nothing like pet therapy while waiting during one of the most tiresome and inconvenient tasks we as Californians have to endure. I don't think I spent more than 20 minutes including waiting for another car to be tested. I have a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer and it passed with flying colors as the owner explained. I paid $50, no messing about at all. I'll definitely be back. read more

Five stars overall for a smog place? Strange, but true. At first this place was confusing to find, because it sits on the same lot as a pay parking lot. However, within a few seconds of me driving around slowly, David came bounding out of the smog shop, raised up a garage door and waved me inside. I was lucky that I was the only customer at the time and the whole process took about five minutes. David also gave me some helpful tips about registering online or through AAA, so I don't have to deal with the DMV. I would highly recommend using the smog check service here if you live or work in the downtown area. read more

I took my 2006 TL in this morning and it was done in 10 minutes.. David, was really cool and really helpful. I will not go anywhere else if i ever need a smog check. I know its just a smog check but this place was spotless clean. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT AND FAST SERVICE Mike read more

I think David is wonderful. He does great work, and he's quick. I went in and had to pass smog, and he said no problem. He actually checks your car for you to make sure that it's ready for smog, and if it isn't he'll tell you, so you won't waste your money! I also had some general questions about my car, and he was able to answer them and give me pointers . Thanks David! read more

Super quick, easy, and helpful. David is a nice guy who doesn't assume you know everything about cars. He did my smog, highlighted and printed everything together to show me easily both how to pay my registration online and by mail. $55 smog is typical and I'll definitely go back. read more

Have to agree with the vast majority of Yelpers that David Lee gives very good, efficient smog certification service. Going here was actually a mistake, as I was intending to go to the Smog service business @ 1055 G street, but shot by their entrance and had to turn left on the 1-way street. Fortunately this led me to Mr. Lee's establishment where he invited me right in, told me to keep the engine running and read the paper w/out even leaving my car. 7 minutes later I'm passed and good for two years now. read more

This place ROCKS! What ? a review on a smog test place? Really! It was that good. David was so awesome - took great care of my car and had me in and out in less than 20 minutes. The location is perfect for downtown ! I will definitely recommend this place to all my coworkers! I'll for sure come back next time ! read more

Quick & courteous service. He had several cars waiting for smog but got me in and out of there in less than an hour. I had to call a few times before anyone answered and gave me their hours of operation. But it was worth the extra effort. Since he gave me great service and passed my Acura... on to DMV. read more

All good. I have an aftermarket air intake on my car and David was able to inspect it upfront to confirm we wouldn't have a problem (as I had with previous shops) passing the visual inpection. He got me in with no appointment and my car was done within 30 minutes. Not the cheapest around, but a fair price and well worth it to me considering the convenience and flexibility. read more

This place is unlike most other smog check only places I know. It's fast, hassle free and affordable. I called them up to ask if they had any same day appointments, they did and gave me a time to go in. The went there, and they were ready... no waiting around for another car to get done. Some places just stack up their wait list and you sit there waiting for them to file through the cars until they finally reach yours. Not this place. My experience was super efficient and fast. I strongly recommend you check this place out if you are anywhere around the downtown area. read more

Excellent and quick service. I got both my vehicles smogged within an hour, including travel time for going back home and switching cars. Highly recommended. The cost is about $50. read more

Very friendly and quick. Sometimes being a woman I feel uncomfortable in automotive shops but this place is fine. As other reviewer said not the cheapest but if you live downtown the convenience is worth it. i will continue to go here. read more

Friendly, efficient, and reasonably priced and I do my part to keep California's air clean. Can't ask for much more!

Super easy and fast. I came by Friday morning, dropped my car off, wandered around downtown for 20 minutes, came back, and my car was done, passed and ready to go. $55 was reasonable for such a quick response. As a walk-in, a painless first smog test in California was a great surprise. Definitely the easiest part of my permanent move to San Diego. read more

Fast and friendly service! Called ahead and was able to get a time estimate for my make and model. I was in and out within 15 minutes. Highly recommend this place! read more

The friendly and courteous husband and wife team at Downtown Smog Test Only made our Smog and DMV registration extremely quick and easy. We will be recommending them to all of our neighbors in the downtown area. Well Done! read more

Quite simply put, this is the best SMOG station and customer service experience I have had in San Diego. David was fast, courteous and respectful of my car. Explaining the entire process and much about how my engine worked. I would and have recommended him to my family/friends. Dont waste your time with other places, this is the best! read more

I showed up around 9:30am with no appointment and didn't have to wait at all. David was practically running out the door to greet me and took care of me right away. I was in and out in 10 minutes! There's a little waiting area with magazines but I'm not sure about food/drink. read more

This place had me in and out in 20 min. Nice guy that runs it, offered me a free bottle of water while I waited, and treated my car with care. I didn't have any coupons, and made no appointment. Charged me $50.00 for a C230 Benz. read more

Downtown smog check is the absolute best! Mr. Lee was very friendly and was at my car door before I'd even shut off my engine. The test only took about 15 or 20 minutes and gave me a five dollar discount for being military. I fully recommend downtown smog check to everyone who's looking to get a fast, efficient and reasonably priced smog check to comply with the California smog regulations. I am very happy to say that downtown smog check is worth every star and more in my review!g read more

Yep. That was quick, painless, and reasonably priced. Exactly how you want a smog to go! Service was even friendly! Highly recommend it :)

I was in a time crunch as my wife needed the car at 10 AM and they opened right at 8 AM on a holiday as well (Columbus day) and took my car in right away. Very courteous & honest couple. Highly recommended!! read more

This place is great! It's fast, efficient, and the employees are super nice and knowledgeable. I come here whenever I need a smog check!

David was super fast! And very polite as well. It was a pleasure doing business with him. My experience with him was 10x better than any other smog test I've had in the past. I highly recommend David for his speed, price, and friendliness. read more

When that DMV registration comes in requesting a smog check, I never worry. David is very friendly and accommodating. There's hardly a wait when you go and he provides detailed instructions on registering without dealing with the DMV... read more

I got my smog done here! Took me a good 45 minutes and there is nowhere to sit or rest, so if you get a ride or want to walk up the block to Starbucks, go ahead. Very nice people. Passed and got a $10 discount. The owner runs a dance studio up the street from my office and was true to her word. She got it done and I got my smog. Come here to get it done and NOT GET RIPPED OFF! You won't be sorry you did! Its only like $50 or so, so not a wallet buster either. read more

I was in a serious bind, and I needed my smog checked at a test only center ASAP, as my registration was about to expire. When I called, David said that I could come right over, and he quoted me over the phone, so there were no $$ surprises - $50 out the door (which was $10 cheaper than a few other places that I called in the area). I swung by on my lunch break and I was out in 20 minutes! Fast. Friendly. Affordable. I would a.) recommend this place to anyone and b.) will be returning to this test center should I need a "Test Only Smog" again! read more

Quick, friendly, efficient. David was super cool and got me in and out in about 10 minutes. Definitely recommend!

I called, was quoted the total price out the door and told it would be 15-20 minutes. I went in, hopped out of my car, he hopped in and had me ready to go in about 10 minutes. He explained the test and the status of my car's registration, and then replaced a missing hubcap on my car for free. And, during the short time that I waited, I played with his puppy. Go here! read more

Great customer service, very friendly and efficient. I checked around for pricing and this was the best. I walked in and was out in 10 minutes. David was very charming and funny. Would highly recommend him read more

I took my car in yesterday because of the reviews. David was great. It took all of 15 minutes since there was no one ahead of me. I wasn't feeling too well and he got me water and showed me to a seat. When it was over he explained all the readings to me and what they meant. I had been a bit anxious since it was my first smog check and I had had my check engine light on the month before due to a loose gas cap. My light went off after a week of driving but David showed me the code for that which still showed up on his machine. My car passed and he even reset the code for me. I will definitely return in two years! You won't be disappointed. I paid $55 out the door, which was well worth that kind of service. So nice to see someone take pride in his work. read more

The best, fastest, most efficient, and friendly smog test station I have ever been to. Mr Lee is friendly and polite. I will certainly bring my car back again when I next need a smog. I highly recommend Downtown Smog. read more

Seriously, I would not take my car any where else to get smog checked. They offer a free recheck if your car does not pass the first time, something that came in handy for me the first time I used their service. The owner even took the time to tell me what the problem was and told me what part I needed to change to get it passed. So far I have been here 3 times and always pleased with the speed and customer service. read more