It's smog check year again, so off the David I went. I went in yesterday morning, he took me right away, my van passed, and I was out of there in 15 minutes. David is a professional in every way! read more

From out of town... LA... Not too far but needed to take care of a smog test only. Guess what? David is the best! Professional, fast & courteous. Most definitely recommend. Thx David read more

There is nothing more valuable than my time and this place was so quick! I could not believe how fast my car was done. He noticed I had NV plates and went out of his way to make sure I had my NV paperwork as well, even though I forgot to ask! This is the most painless smog check I've ever gotten! He was so friendly! read more

Just as advertised. GREAT!! Smog check on a Saturday at noon in 10 minutes! Very friendly and thorough.

I have to agree with the positive reviews on here, absolute Top Notch service all the way around for a quick Smog Check. Thanks!!

Excellent and friendly service. I called ahead for next day appointment and was in / out in 15 minutes. No problem with parking or waiting. Easy to get to from freeway. read more

Really frustrating. This review is not based on service received but I wanted to warn others to confirm their hours before you go! I couldn't find the hours online, on yelp, or via their voicemail. I tried calling multiple times to confirm, but no answer and no voicemail providing information. So I figured with all the yelp reviews I'd go anyway. It was 8:30am on a Tuesday. When I arrived I saw their parking signs said reserved from 6am-7pm (figured that means they are open that early). Apparently not, nothing on the building indicated their hours either so I couldn't stick around and wait for them to open. Really annoying. Thankfully I found a place down the street that was open and their service was awesome, and they picked up their phones stanly to confirm (Smog Tests Only at 1055 G st, if this happens to you, check them out!) So in summary, while their service is probably great based on the reviews, their business/information model sucks and waists customers' time. read more

I read all of the reviews and decided to give this place a try. I was not disappointed! David was super nice and efficient. He definitely deserves 5 stars. When I say I was not disappointed, well, I was a little bit. I looked all around and didn't see his dog like everyone had talked about. Oh well... maybe next time! :) read more

I've been here twice. On both occasions it was the nicest and most professional experience I could possibly expect. If every small business was run like this the world would be a wonderful place. read more

This is the only place that i called that knows that normal people get off at 5pm. i called 6 different places and they all stop smog check at 430 and close at 5 pm. I called DSTO guy answered and said they close at 6pm. Awsome!!! I told him i was on my way since i get off at 530 and if he can wait for me. I drove up at 555 and their he was waiting for me. I was in and out in 15 min with all my paper work!!! I think that more of the mom and pop business can learn a thing or 2 from this location instead being over booked on the weekends and having their customers wait because they want to close shop at 5 while pple are still at work, Then wonder why small businesses struggle... 5 STARS FOR SURE!! GOOD JOB AND THANKS MY FRIEND!!! read more

After trying other smog places, this guy was the best! He was honest, up front and handled every part of my smog in a very professional manner. He did a pre-test to make sure my car would pass before he ran the whole battery of smog tests. Even better, no appointment, in and out in less than a 25 minutes! Go here, smog check was $45 + cert + tax so out the door was $55, well worth my time and money. read more

I came in today without an appointment and only had to wait about 10 minutes. The gentleman was very pleasant and professional and it took about 15 minutes. I would recommend this place. read more

Outstanding. Called on a Saturday afternoon at 4:20...owner said that they close at 4pm but that I should come over. Guy fired up the computers and smogged my car (not a small feat) in under 15 minutes. Awesome! read more

06/01/2013 I found this business after checking YELP to locate a STAR Smog Test Station (STAR smog testing is sometimes required for vehicle registration renewal). The gentleman who answered the phone told me I could get tested the same day (they are open from 10 - 2 on Saturdays!) I was happy to find only one person ahead of me whose car was being tested. The process was fast, fast, fast. I expected my car to fail (it did - knew there were issues) but what I didn't expect was some helpful advice on what exactly needed attention. I am clueless when it comes to cars, and because this business does not do auto repairs, I didn't know I could get additional information about diagnostic results. Sure enough, on the readout, the needed parts were mentioned. Mr. Owner answered my questions, and charged FAR LESS than another "smog test only" place. He advised me of the price for re-testing (VERY reasonable amount, less than $20) and told me how to work with DMV to get a time extension so I can get repairs done without rushing it. His advice on extensions was on the mark: apparently there is a one month 'grace period' IF YOU PAY YOUR FEES. Otherwise, you will get ticketed -- or you could pay $50 for DMV to extend your 'grace period' to 30 days. Repairs are getting done now. Service with a smile, prompt, informative, and good price. Thanks! I'll be back....and telling friends about this shop! read more

Awesome awesome awesome. Yeah, it's weird to rate a smog place, but seriously, this place is awesome. They were very helpful and ridiculously friendly. If you live/work in the area, don't go anywhere else for smog checks. read more

Awesome service! Found this through Yelp and couldn't be more pleased. We didn't have an appt but it was so fast... Less than 15 minutes and affordable too. Thanks! read more

David is friendly, gets right to work and has you out the door in about 15 minutes. I had no appointment, drove right up and David took over! After checking with two other smog test only vendors, I found David's to be the most convenient and least expensive. He went over the test results with me, forwarded them (pass!) to the DMV, and highlighted various items of interest on both the test results and my DMV notification. I'll now go online to pay my registration and it's done. Thank you David, I will recommend your shop to others! Sincerely, Debbie read more

David is super friendly and polite, and does his work quickly. I like that he went straight to work and explained everything at the end -- very efficient and helpful. No line when I went on a Saturday at around 4:15 p.m. I'll definitely return when I need another smog check! read more

Will defintly go back. David took me in with out an appointment and I was in and out in 15 minutes. I say that was a record. Thank you David! read more

Most painless smog check I've ever been through. I always hate smog check years because it's such as hassle to take the car in to get a smog when I'm always busy. Got in at 9:00AM, he took me right away and I was out of there in less than 15 mins. David is SUPER friendly. The station is really easy to get to and has plenty of parking if you need to wait. He also has a decent little waiting area while your smog is being done. The station is a straight shot in from the 94 West into downtown, just past the train tracks. His price was comparable to other stations. I highly recommend this place. read more

Worst service ever!!! Came back for retest. They said I had to make an appointment. Never was I told to do so. They told me to come back in 3 hours cause 4 cars were ahead of me. I said it doesn't take that long for all 4 cars. The lady said well we're parking cars for the game. Are u a smog station or a pay for parking establishment? Exactly! ! ! So as a returning customer why should I have to wait for u parking people's cars for the game. On top of that the 2 times I've been there. It's a smog only establishment. How hard is it to be organized and not all over the place. The lady was frantic and horrible people person. I never ever yelped and dropped a review. But as a consumer. I would want to fair warn others before u decide to go there. I went to Advanced Automotive Tech on 301 16th st. Quick service and very polite. Also check out El Cajon Smog Center. Very nice and very knowledgeable. read more

I'm relatively new to San Diego from the East Coast . I researched Smog Garages in San Diego and found the reviews for Downtown smog test to be the most consistent and highest rated. I called David prior and he asked my car year,make, and model . He quoted the price and time , but said no appt. was necessary if I brought it at a certain time. I was at his shop in about 15 minutes with no waiting time also the estimated time and price quoted was precise. It was about 18 minutes and he quoted 15-20 minutes . I will most definitely recommend him to friends and neighbors for his honesty and service with a smile. read more

Smog checks are one of the many costs of living and driving in California, and they're no fun at all. Fortunately, Downtown Smog Check is a place that realizes this and realizes that you have stuff to do. The staff and location may seem a little spartan, but this belies a vast depth of knowledge about smog checks and the mechanics surrounding them. They're quick, because this isn't fun and you're busy. The prices are reasonable. All told, coming here is a very pain free experience. Highest recommendation. read more

Very happy with my experience. Came here to smog my car during my lunch break, was in and out in 15 min. Thank You so much ! Highly recommend read more

David was absolutely amazing. I called ahead to see if he was available to run a Smog Test on my 2004 Audi A4 1.8T, to which he happily obliged and gave me an estimated completion time of 15-20 minutes. I live in Banker's Hill, so it took me all of 5 minutes to drive to his facility. I pulled up to his shop and parked in an available parking spot. David was already getting into and moving the SUV that he was currently working on, and motioning me to move my car into the Testing Spot. I thought that he had finished with the previous vehicle, however, he mentioned to me that he recognized my car from the description that I gave him on the phone, and had time to Smog my Audi before the other gentleman (who was enjoying breakfast at a local eatery) returned. I got moved up to the front of the line!! Talk about the royal treatment. Turns out, the 15-20 minute estimate that he gave me was completely inaccurate. I was in and out with Smog Certification in hand in 7 minutes!! Not to mention how chipper and happy he was through the whole process. There is a reason this man has 5 star ratings throughout his reviews...except for the individual who only gave him 4 stars, yet was in and out in RECORD TIME...not sure what it takes to make some people happy, but this Yelper was COMPLETELY SATISFIED!! Excellent job, David...see you again next time :) read more

choose this guy, chin is awesome he will take care of you. best place for smog out there! totally love this guy :)