Special Smog Test Only

4.5 (104 reviews)

Smog Check Stations

Open • 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Updated 2 months ago

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Special Smog Test Only - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Special Smog Test Only - The shop - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Special Smog Test Only - Nguyen and his son Mark - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Roy S.

I have been taking all my vehicles here for many years now. This is the place to go to if your vehicle requires a Star Test Smog certification. Nguyen and his son Mark run the shop and are very pleasant to deal with. Nguyen is super fast and efficient. I have been taking all my vehicles here for many years now and I highly recommend them.

Samantha D.

Had a hard time finding a place to smog my old RV and the few places I did find were expensive. I found this one that was cheaper and I am so glad I did. The owner was very nice and did the job fast. I'll definitely be coming back.

Shaun F.

Been going here for years Hot little hole in the wall smog shop opens Sundays!!!! Prices have gone up over the years so try the yelp check in if still available can save u $5 they are super friendly and usually are really helpful! If u need a smog on the weekends or any time give this place a go if u live nearby!!!

Came in for a smog test, the shop is kind of hidden behind the RV place, if you are in need of a smog please consider this place!! Upon arrival I was greeted by an older gentleman who was eager to help. I was his only customer and I could tell it was his family business. He was quick and he was kind. His prices are great. I will definitely be returning for any other cars that need smog. Happy to help a small business which in return had great service. May god bless him and his business :)

Donyell S.

6197659826 Very friendly and efficient, I recommend special Services smog to everyone. I will return for all my cars and smog services.

Bert A.

Incredibly fast service. Always nice courteous and very attentive service. Do not go anywhere else. I drive past over a dozen Smog Stations this is the only place to go. You will not regret it.

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Sammy H.

13 years ago

Great price $45 bucks out the door for my truck with the certificate! best price I found! Call first to get the best price! He is very fast!

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Jerry J.

10 years ago

Very friendly Vietnamese guy. Was in and out about 15 minutes. Don't get discouraged about the way his shop looks. The surrounding area too looks kinda ghetto but don't judge a book by its cover. All you should care about is good customer service and work performance. I'll be coming back to him in two years. Hopefully he wont move by then. read more

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Chris S.

9 years ago

BEWARE OF THIS GUY. RIPED ME OFF AND THEN AFTER COMPLAINING TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT RETEST MY CAR. First this guys english is bad. I was told $40 for a smog test over the phone for my 1993 Buick Regal. When I got their he tells me he thought I said 2007... aw no. So ask for a discount he charges me $49.00 with a $10 dollar discount. He does my smog and when finished he tells me the car failed. Now I am new to California and new to smog test. I ask why he states missing gas cap. Now I know the gas cap was missing and didn't care that I didn't have one. If I knew I needed one for this test I would have gotten one. So he failed me for a missing gas cap and takes my money and tells me that a retest will cost me $39.00. So this ass hole failed me for a $11.00 dollar part that I could have ran and gotten quickly so the car will pass but no. Also it states in California that you can stop the test for a missing gas cap and put one on and continue the test. This guy didn't do that he wanted to make money off me and screw me. He is nothing but a greedy, non English speaking low down and dirty piece of shit and I would not take my worst enemy's car their to get smog. Don't waist your money to this guy. read more

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H.E. G.

8 years ago

Positive experience. Quick and professional. Business prefers cash but took my card just the same. In and out in about 15 minutes. Clean shop. read more

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Lorraine B.

13 years ago

I have never given five stars but this business deserved it! The price quoted was exactly what I was charged, there was no wait time, the shop's test equipment was in great shape and talk about customer service...OFF THE CHART! Pride of ownership was very evident. The techncian was extremely efficient and my car was smog tested before I knew it. I did comparision shop but he was one of the lower quotes in Chula Vista. Use this business, you won't be disappointed! read more

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Rosalinda A.

12 years ago

I had my suv smog tested today and was extremely satisfied with the work, service, friendliness of the operator, and cost of the test. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes, with a total cost of $48.00 including the certificate. I will definitely return for future service. read more

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Ricky P.

10 years ago

It was my first time using this place and I have to say I am 110% satisfied with the service. The gentleman running the shop was very friendly and quick. The bonus was he was open on Memorial Day. Made things so much easier for me. Thank you for your fast and friendly service! read more

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Michael N.

14 years ago

Went to the DMV to get a licence plate sticker, found out my truck needed a smog check. Found this place on yelp with pretty good reviews, brought my car in and got out within 20 mins. Good service, friendly environment and at a decent price. Will bring other cars back for service when needed. read more

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Joshua N.

12 years ago

Just came to this place this morning, and I have to say. The Asian man that works here was really friendly and helpful. Unlike other places. I recommend this smog shop to anyone that needs a smog. I give this shop 5 stars! read more

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Al M.

10 years ago

I have taken my car here a couple times, they guy is trying to work fast so that is nice. He is dishonest on the price however. Called recently to get the price and when he quoted me the $45 price I asked if I could use the $5 dollars off yelp special and he told me that he knew I was calling through yelp and that he gave me the price that included the discount because the price is usually $55. From calling around this is not a bad price but it felt like he was being dishonest so I just choose to starting going else where. read more

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Maria R.

11 years ago

I called before I went to this place and spoke with an Asian man. He quoted me the price for a smog test is $39.00 for pass and 0 (no payment) if fail. I went to his place today and after the test he charged me $50.00 and said that my car failed because it did not register and he told me that I have 15-30 days to bring the car back and he will not charge me for test again. He should have told me the right price and not charged me for more than what he quoted me on the telephone. I told the owner that the price he is charging me is wrong and higher than what the price he gave me on the telephone. He said that if I bring the car back within 15-30 days, he will not charged me again. The owner is nice- but have hidden cost! If you go to this place-prepare to pay more then what he quoted on the telephone. Beware of the hidden cost! read more

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Paula H.

14 years ago

I watched the owner of this shop perform the same exact thing three times over on my 1999 Ford Windstar van. When he began raising his voice irritatedly speaking in Vietnamese to himself I asked what was happening. He then literally lost his mind YELLING "AT ME" that the test was aborted by DMV. It was impossible to have a normal conversation with him as he interrupted when I asked a question trying to understand the problem with the aborting test. I kept my voice calmly modulated, watching him wildly gestulate then finally realized a normal conversation was impossible. $39.95 + $9.95 is not a value when the technician cannot determine why a standard American car is aborting a smog test. He was beyond rude, and had this been in a common working environment I would have had strong grounds to report him for harrassment. read more

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Thang L.

101

11 years ago

How lucky am I to have found this place! I took my girlfriend's car here simply because it was open on a Sunday! Which other smog shops opens on a Sunday? Well I had waited last minute to get her car smog and that Tuesday was the deadline. I knew there was no way to get this done on time with my work schedule during the week. Very fortunate to have found this place, not only did it save me from paying a late fee, the smog tech was also very informative. Definitely got things done quick with no issues. Will not hesitate to come back! read more

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Henry G.

15 years ago

My smog needs were fulfilled at Special Smog. Quick and painfree, see you guys in 2 years. Test only station means they perform tests on all vehicles, I didn't know that, I'll bring my RV thru. read more

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Alejandra L.

161

11 years ago

Amazing service and customer service. I called to ask a price for a smog check on a truck, I showed up 15 minutes later and I was out and ready in less then 10 minutes. Definitely will be coming back. read more

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Julissa P.

9 years ago

I came in skeptical because the location was so hidden however I definitely recommend this place to anyone! My smog check was done in less than 20 minutes and $10 less than the place I was going to go. I was going to go to the smog place by the courthouse however they told me it would be 1 hour of waiting time? I didn't have time and plus I was hoping to find a place cheaper which I did! Definitely recommend. read more

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Margaret R.

10 years ago

Best smog test experience ever! Courteous, fast, at a fair price. Located behind the rv repair, so enter on K St. Offered me a beverage because they were working on a vehicle when I came in. Very careful pulling my car in and out. I won't go anywhere else after this! read more

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Nancy H.

12 years ago

I found this shop 2 years ago and today I came back for my STAR certificate. I am so happy that they were still here! I got the same outstanding service that I received the first time and he remembered me. I enjoy watching this gentleman work because he just sprints all around. If you want to be treated fairly I highly recommend this station. Quick and friendly. read more

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Al R.

11 years ago

I called the owner and asked for a smog check. 10 minutes after I arrived, I was down the road with my certificate. The price seemed reasonable and he was extremely friendly. This place was recommended by another auto shop and I've been going here ever since. read more

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Beda S.

10 years ago

Great customer service and very friendly staff. Professional workmanship! Recommended for everyone.

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Jeremiah H.

12 years ago

ok disregard all negative comments about this spot. I rolled up, didnt call ahead and this dude (owner) was on it. He was very professional, polite and super quick. In and out in 15min, highly recommended!!.. read more

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Donna T.

12 years ago

It's a little hard to find, it's actually on "K" street I was looking for a place to turn around and all of a sudden it appeared. The technician asked for my DMV smog request, and directed me to a row of folding chairs. I took out my Vanity Fair magazine, 10 minutes later, it was done and I had passed. Paid him $39.95 plus $8.25. He was very nice, I'll tell my friends. read more

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midge l.

15 years ago

Excellent experience in every area! The gentlemen that answered the phone was professional and quickly provided me with all the information that I wanted. My smog test was performed in the short amount of time that he predicted: FAST! He was nice, fast, and professional....and reasonable price too! read more

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More info about Special Smog Test Only

801 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Directions
(619) 585-3115
Call Now

Payment methods

Does Special Smog Test Only take credit cards?

Yes, Special Smog Test Only takes credit cards.

Other Amenities

Does Special Smog Test Only have free WiFi?

Yes, Special Smog Test Only has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Smog checks and inspections. We are a STAR station, certified in California to perform smog inspections on all vehicles. Our station is large enough to accommodate RVs and motorhomes and heavy duty vehicles. We specialize in providing smiles and friendly service.

History

Established in 2000.

We have been serving the community of Chula Vista and the great city of San Diego for 15 years. The business is family owned and operated.

Meet the Business Owner: Duong or Dong N.

Duong or "Dong" to most of his customers is my father and he has been an ASE technician and professional mechanic for over 20 years. He earns your patronage through hard work and a commitment to excellent customer service.

More Info

Hours

Special Smog Test Only Reviews in Other Languages

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Review Highlights - Special Smog Test Only

“It's Sunday and I went to a smog place in spring valley but when I walked in there were 5 people waiting for a smog.”

Mentioned in 16 reviews

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Star Best Smog

4.7

(34 reviews)

I had called previously (10 minutes) asked if I needed an appointment. No we take walk in. I didn't…read moretime it but less than 15 minutes the car (Mazda CX 5 2016)) was done. State of CA + DMV is taken care of. And YES I'd recommend this business

I have brought my car here for a smog check several times. No appointment is needed--I always do…read morewalk ins. The process usually takes about 15-20 minutes, and I always appreciate the quick, efficient service.

TJ Smog Check

4.7

(57 reviews)

Had to get a smog check for the registration this year and stop by on a whim this past Saturday and…read morewas pleasantly surprised we could drive right in. Got hooked up to the machine, then waited 15 minutes max for the testing to be done. I showed my yelp! check in coupon for $10 off and they took it off with no problem. We paid cash and were told we could get the tags at the DMV kiosk the next day. Sure enough we went this afternoon to pay for tags and got them printed asap. Super happy with the quality and speed of service. I would recommend this shop to anyone in need of a smog!

Literally asking for advice and dude stuck repeating the same thing not listening just assuming. He…read morejust kept telling me to go drive my car because that's what the battery needed. I told him I already had and he said just drive it some more and come back. But this time, we'll charge you 40 instead of 50. So I left, went to autozone, told them the same thing I told these people at this shop and the autozone guy told me that the battery was most likely done and wouldn't work if I drove it more, especially since I had already done that the day before. Guess what, he was right. This company was just trying to make a fool out of me and rob me out of 40 bucks to then tell me that I need a new battery. Would not recommend a place who tries to cheat their customers. Literally chose to go to this place to support la raza, pero es la misma raza trying to make a fool out of you. What a joke of a place.

Star Station Smog Check Chula Vista

4.9

(299 reviews)

Thien is the best!…read more I get there right before it was closing today and he was able to fit me in! He got right to work and I was in and out within 15 mins. I always recommend this place to my friends. He is very friendly and the cost is very reasonable. I will be back again for sure! There is a reason why he has such a high rating on Google and Yelp!

This is the second time I've had my smog done at this place and I would definitely recommend it to…read moreothers. Both Leo and T2 provided great service and had me out the door in no time. Also, they honored the $10 off coupon which made the price so much nicer. :)

National City Smog

5.0

(19 reviews)

Fast, efficient. You'll be taken care of here. I come here for my smog checks and oil changes,…read morequality service!

Following the lead of other Yelpers who gave so many Five Star reviews, I decided to get my…read moreCorvette smogged at National City Smog. It's easy to find, right across the street from the police station. I drove up without an appointment, and there was nobody ahead of me. Just the luck of the draw. The service technician releived me of my keys, and informed me there is a waiting room in the rear of the building. The waiting room itself is not exactly eye candy, but there are two sofas available. There is also a large service viewing window for those who like to see what's happening to their car. (I am one of them). After about 20 minutes, the certification was completed and I paid the $60 fee, plus a charge for the privilege of using a credit card. Receipts were presented to me, and I left with a sense of accomplishment.

Telegraph Canyon Smog

4.4

(94 reviews)

1st time here at this smog check station, accompanied my daughter. It is located within the Arco…read moregas parking lot. Michael was very friendly and offered a quick efficient experience. Smog only took about 15 minutes. $50 cash or $53 with card.

Great service and a quick turnaround, I was in and out in about 10 minutes. Will be back.read more

Just Smog

4.6

(67 reviews)

The experience was easy and pleasant. They got right on with checking me in, no fuss. They also…read morehave standard prices so you're not gonna have sticker shock. The gentleman who helped me, who I assumed was the owner, was very friendly and it was fairly obvious that he took pride in his business and providing the best service. I will come back here for my next smog check and will recommend them to anyone that's in the area.

Quick service on a Saturday and the paperwork was in the system almost immediately! Second time…read morecoming here and will continue to do so.

Tony's Smog Test

4.8

(76 reviews)

Super expensive compared to other places. Expect to pay 30% more than usual. Also the old man who…read morewas there was super rude and as slow as a snail. The building also looked like it was falling apart and a dog was chained to a car to complete the post apocalyptic vibe. Scam artist

I've gotten my smog here for so many years on all my cars. Very honest and professional business…read moreand I feel comfortable going there.

California Smog Check

3.9

(88 reviews)

I love this smog location. They're fast , efficient, always friendly and trustworthy. I went in…read moretoday, cuz I thought I had another week to get the smog done, but the tags were going to be due tomorrow instead. There was no wait and we were literally in and out within 10min. Then the DMV is conveniently located across the street. So I was able to pay for the registration at the DMV kiosk. I got both things done within one hour

I have been to this place a couple of times it's not to bad. They do their best to get you in and…read moreout. I hear they are not the best at driving stick shift. I have only taken my automatic there. They have a pretty good place to replace while you wait. They have cable tv, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Oh and little snacks. Try to get there when it opens, because the fill up fast. Now their web site says, if you don't pass they will help you figure out what is wrong. Well they really don't. They will say, go have it fixed and come back. They do give you a second chance to pass it. They also let you loan a OBD if you have none readable codes. This is refunded when you bring it back. Two things I recommend before going. Do not unplug you battery, if you have a car that has many electronic components. If you do this, and you don't allow drive time. Their system will not be able to read all your codes. Second, if you have issues with your Cat. Such as P0420. Cat Cleaner from auto store will probably fix it. Do that a week before you smog if you can One con, is that is a little pricey. Smog check is $68.

RCR Smog Inspection

4.8

(109 reviews)

RCR (Archie) has been taking care of my smog needs for years! Always prompt and quick service…read morealong with competitive pricing. Absolutely no complaints here.

Archie's been smogging my cars for years! Always great service! Prices are very fair.read more

Bonita Vista Gas And Auto

3.9

(60 reviews)

Found this place on yelp as my mechanic was unavailable for oil change. Was able to call and get an…read moreappt same day and was seen within the time frame allotted. Located across from southwestern community college. Fast friendly service. No up charging. Definitely appreciated.

This is my community auto repair shop, I have my Explorer, Accord and Altima get repaired here, I…read moredon't usually go somewhere else like dealer because if you understand the car and have some idea about it then tou know what to do and whats wrong so I usually do some search and get the idea then the owner always give me a good deal, also they are not taking advantages of you, they will give you what maybe the cause and maybe you can fix it like the car won't run because of the gas filter etc

Chula Vista Auto Tech

4.7

(103 reviews)

Called about my brakes acting up yesterday and they were able to completely fix them today. The…read morebrakes are working as if they're brand new. The shop was easy to find, very friendly, and super fair with pricing (parts and labor). I'll definitely be returning to the shop in the future!

I called in advance and Julie put me at ease about getting an oil change. When I arrived, she gave…read moreme a nice, warm greeting. She and her team took really good care of me and my Tacoma. Thank you, Julie!

Jiffy Lube

3.9

(201 reviews)

I can't say enough good things about Alex and his team at Jiffy Lube in Chula Vista. I pulled in…read morefor an oil change just five minutes before closing, and instead of making me feel rushed or inconvenienced, they welcomed me with a smile and took great care of me. I'm sure they were ready to head home after a long day, but you would never have known it from the way they treated me. Their professionalism, positive attitude, and outstanding customer service really stood out. It's rare to find a team that genuinely puts the customer first, even at the end of the day. Thank you, Alex, and the entire crew, for going above and beyond. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend this Jiffy Lube to anyone looking for honest, friendly, and efficient service!

I called in late on a weekday to check the last time I went in for an oil change. It ended up being…read morelonger than expected. So I rushed down about 45 mins before closing and got right in I got the same oil change as before no upsells since I got a new air filter and such before. They looked everything over and just said my oil level was a little low which was expected. The team that assisted me was Victor, Jovan and Esequiel. Everything went smooth and I was in and out within 15/20 mins. Price seemed about the same and as a good value. I will be back again.

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Mike L.

9 years ago

My second time there yesterday, this time with a 2000 Mercedes c280. The man is nice, polite, fast and efficient. His prices are lower than the other shops in this area. He may be speaking English with a strong Asian accent, but that's not an issue. If you arrive with a positive, friendly attitude, he will be your best friend. Last year he helped me with an older c280 (1994) that had to go through a more complicated test. He did all he could to pass it, including allowing enough time for the engine to get hot etc. Conclusion: RECOMMENDED read more

Serra L.

15 years ago

First off, I don't want to come off snobby, but I drive a 2006 Mercedes and I came here because I needed my first smog inspection and picked this station because I wanted quality service and did not want grease all over my interior. I was not let down, this facility is well kept and pristine for a auto service facility. The service was very quick and there was no long lines. I made some calls and while some stations were charging 5 to 10 dollars cheaper I would come here again for their timely and quality service. read more

Robert C.

128

13 years ago

i just want to say that this guy THE BEST,,yeah he does not communicate well with customers but he gets the job done fast and professional . i took a accord to get smogged i went early in the morning was out of there no more than 15 minutes pretty cool guy i don't know what he was doing but all that mattered to me was at the end he said now go to the DMV today i was like cool my car passed yeahhhhh booooyyyyy.... definitely recommend this SMOG SHOP.... price was not bad $50 dlls read more

Myna L.

13 years ago

I want to thank the technician, Mr. Speedy is what I like to call him. My car had an oil leak and he promptly notified me and saved my pocket book! I have been a return customer since 2005 and I don't trust anyone else with smogging my cars. He zips around and puts in so much more hustle than anyone else that I know. Take your cars to Speedy! Tell him to slow down because I want to keep coming back for years to come and I wouldn't want him to get hurt. read more

Dana A.

8 years ago

this place is gone bad since the stupid son is helping the old man. they trick you into going along even when they saw my engine light on. By law they are supposed to tell you that it wont pass the smog since the engine light was on. instead they run the so called test and fail you and try to collect the $65 fee and on top of that make you think they can fix the issue to collect more fee. I did not give them jack shit. they are crooks now. read more

Cesar P.

2 years ago

Special Smog Test Only provided exceptional service when I needed it most. Despite my busy schedule, they were open on a Sunday, a rarity among other places. The process was fast, and the gentleman running the business was incredibly friendly. As someone with limited availability during the week, their flexibility and efficiency were greatly appreciated. Highly recommended! read more

Jo M.

15 years ago

Fast and friendly service. I have gone to this gentleman twice already and each time have had the kindest and speedy service... with a smile. Highly recommended. read more

Solerie A.

4 years ago

I've been coming here for years! The man, the owner is very nice and knows his stuff. I like him so I kept coming back for his quick service! read more