Bancroft Smog Test Only

(118 reviews)

Called on a Thursday and was able to have my car smogged the same day! Their prices are also very…read morecompetitive. Overall, I think I only waited about 20 minutes. Appreciate the great customer service! Would highly recommend.

This is the place for smog! Best price in San Diego and quick service, they did my 3 cars in less…read morethan a hour. Check them out.

Cali v. Smog - STAR Station & Vehicle Registration Service

(194 reviews)

Went in for a smog check and it went well. Cost a little more than other places but much more.read more

All the positive reviews are true! I needed a smog check at the last minute, scheduled online (very…read moresimple), it was easy to find, and everyone was so nice! In and out in about 20 minutes. Just great!

AAA Smog & Repair Center

(88 reviews)

This automotive repair facility is honestly, in my opinion, the very best auto repair facility in…read moreSan Diego County. Let me explain.. Back in April, when I serviced my 2012 Ford Fusion for a synthetic blend oil change at El Cajon Ford, I was told I needed front and back brakes. I was quoted $600.00 for the front brakes and the.same amount for the back brakes. This amount to me seemed extraordinarily High. I discussed this with an old college buddy and he recommended AAA Smog & Repair Center on El Cajon Boulevard. I had utilized this facility in early May to smog my Ford Fusion. The smog check took a total of 5 minutes to complete and of course my car passed with flying colors. Incidentally, the technician at El Cajon Ford had told me to make sure I get both brakes front and back done in May, as I risked the possiblity of damaging the rotors. Needless to say, I wasn't happy about this as shelling out $1,200 for brakes just isn't in my budget right now. I took my vehicle in for brake servicing at AAA Smog & Repair Center on Friday, June 12th, 2026. Mike, who runs the facility quoted me $375.00 maximum for front brake disc replacement. The work was done in about 2 and 1/2 hours, and the total with tax came out to $394.00. Mike inspected my back brakes and told me there is no way that the back brakes need to be replaced right now. As a matter of fact, he told me the back brakes have at least a year's worth of life left in them. And he explained, as we all know, that the front brakes handled about 80% of braking requirements. I left this facility having paid out a total of $394.00 as stated above.Wow!! On a one to five star rating, if I could give this auto repair facility 10 stars I certainly would. Mike and his wonderful crew got the job done in just a couple of hours and didn't try to break the bank. And unlike other facilities (like El Cajon Ford) he doesn't recommend work that doesn't need to be done. Mike is the most honest service technician/manager I have ever met. This is the kind of auto repair facility one finds in small sleepy towns, located far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. For example, windshield wiper replacement at this facility runs $11.99 per blade in contrast to Discount Tire, who is selling their wiper replacement blades for around $35.00.. Auto Zone comes in at a few dollars less and El Cajon Ford is off the charts for even a simple replacement part such as windshield wiper replacement blades. This price of this one part serves as a metaphor regarding the fact that this facility cares about us customers in charging the fairest priced for parts and labor possible. They truly care about the customer. This auto repair facility has earned my very highest recommendation. As referenced above, they are not out to break the bank And as a matter of fact, Mike and the crew are trying to save the consumer as much money as is humanly possible in this day and age. Additionally, this facility offers DMV registration renewal, allowing the consumer to skip the long lines at the DMV. They also offer body work and basically anything can be done under the hood.The one thing they don't specialize in is oil changes, though the facility will in fact order the oil and filter required if an oil change is absolutely necessary when other work is being done. Let's face it, all companies are in business to make a profit, of course. The problem, with so many companies out there, is that they gouge the customer, to make a huge profit and are charging prices that are probably 500 to 1000 percent above what should be reasonably and morally charged for parts and services way above what most consumers can actually afford. This company is different. They are charging an extremely fair price thereby saving consumers a ton of money that those other huge companies love to just swallow up with their overinflated high end prices. My warmest thanks and "hats off" to Mike and his gallant crew!! I'll be back at this shop for electrical work in August or September. I wholeheartedly recommend everybody out there consider utilizing this auto repair facility before shelling out those big bucks at those other well known large facilities. Thanks again!!

The Service is very close to where I live, which is convenient because I brought the wrong vehicle…read moreand was able to switch it out. The staff very patient and very polite.

La Mesa Smog Check

(93 reviews)

in and out, no appointment-maybe 15 minute. The technician was personable, knowledgeable, and gave…read moreme all the answers i needed. ill be back

Had an appointment and they were quick and just what I hoped for. Definitely recommendread more

DEKRA Smog Check Station

(264 reviews)

I just want to thank the guys at Dekra Smog Test Center for making the process so quick and easy. I…read moretook my car in and was out of there within 10 minutes. They were friendly and professional and their new location in Santee made it really convenient. I will definitely be a returning customer.

Been coming here for years. Always fast & efficient. Gilberto is the best. The place is always…read moreclean as well

AAA Smog Center

(779 reviews)

Went to get my truck smog have been going here for years. These guys are true professionals that…read morewill get you in and out as fast as possible. Most times no need to even make an appointment. Highly recommend.

I got the dreaded letter to get my car smog tested when I renewed my registration. I had bought a…read morenew car a couple years ago, so I had avoided the smog test for a few years, until now. It was a busy time of the year for me, and I was looking for a place that was quick and easy to make an afternoon appointment at since I do not have a flexible schedule. I highly recommend this location! They are efficient and reliable.

San Diego Smog Station

(78 reviews)

Service: Fast and friendly service! He said 15 minutes or less for a smog check k and was not…read morekidding. I'm grateful for his business hours. I was able to stop by after work. Pricing: I was quoted one price and sure enough, that's the price I was charged. No surprise charges or fees! Location: the driveway wasn't as tight/difficult to maneuver as I expected. I parked and he took care of the rest :) I appreciated that he parked it in a way that was easy for me to drive off.

Experience was great, and was quick to respond to my yelp request, highly recommend. Has a nice…read morewaiting room as well.

Star Station Smog Check

(1.1k reviews)

Reasonably priced Great service…read moreFAST No hassle No appt necessary Convenient location

Stopped in for a smog check. Ken and Leo took great care of me. Quick and easy turn around at a…read moresuper clean shop.

El Cajon City Smog Repair & Auto Registration

See more unrecommended reviews

(178 reviews)

What a find! Alan was friendly, professional and efficient! First time there, telling my friends…read moreand family about this gem. Burt

Scammer - do not take your vehicle here. Had a misfire code I was struggling with and told him I…read morejust needed it to pass smog. Told me I need a new head gasket, a job worth more than the vehicle. Code cleared on its own the day I picked it up from him and took somewhere else and passed the smog. Try again, buddy.

Smog Pros

4.3

(99 reviews)

Listen up -- Captain 619 talkin'. If you wanna get smog done right in El Cajon and not get played,…read moreyou march into Smog Pros. Fast, clean, no headaches -- they handle business like pros, capisce? Prices fair, techs know their stuff, and they don't waste your time. You want a deal? Say Captain 619 sent you from Yelp and grab that $20 off coupon -- I don't hand out tips, but this one's worth takin'. You want it done proper, you go to Smog Pros. I always take out the best -- these are the best.

Wonderful Service! Fast and friendly! Answered all my questions about smog checks. They also honor…read morethe coupon sent by mail.

F & H Auto Repair & Transmission

4.6

(130 reviews)

After going to a shop and having work done where the owner definitely left me with an ick feeling…read more I asked around for recommendations and I got several people that said to go see Fadil! I am so glad that I found my new go to auto shop. Fadil takes the time to explain things and isn't trying to sell/charge you for things you don't need. He's extremely kind and takes time to explain things. I have stopped in or called a few times after the initial repair because I had questions and he's been great! They are a very busy shop! My car is 20 years old now, so while I wish I didn't have to take it in once in a while, my experience at F&H has always been positive!!!

Fadil and his team are BY FAR the most honest, reliable, efficient auto shop in all of San Diego…read more If you want your car worked on efficiently and not get over charged... this is the shop! So accommodating and kind, I actually look forward to going! 5stars from start to finish! Thanks Fadil!

Miramar Auto Repair - Japanese Auto Plus

4.6

(243 reviews)

Highly recommend for road trip prep!…read more This is an amazing place to get your vehicle inspected before a long road trip. I booked online, noted my concerns in the text box, and dropped my car off the next day. After checking in at the office, I walked Joey through my concerns and opted for a Post-Purchase Inspection. Joey sent over the findings quickly and gave me his honest, upfront opinion on what needed immediate attention before my trip versus what maintenance could wait until I reached my destination. He also provided a clear copy of the inspection quotes so there were no surprises. In the end, they completed the full inspection, replaced the car battery, and fixed a coolant leak for around $550+ (including taxes). I definitely recommend this shop! Pro-tip: Try to get there early in the day, as on-site parking and road traffic can get a bit hectic later on.

Bottom Line Upfront: Miramar Auto Repair is one of the best values of any auto shop in San Diego…read more Jason and Pedro were exceptional in taking care of me, and finding a solution to a very technical challenge. I brought in my Honda Ridgeline for an issue with my AC. Jason worked with me at the front-desk and went above and beyond to understand my issue and the troubleshooting I had already done. He explained to me CONCISELY what the feasible issue may be, and how they were going to approach a diagnosis. Jason was extremely knowledgeable, and followed up promptly to discuss the fix. Pedro was also exceptional. He found the issue (rodent-chewed wires) and repaired it perfectly. When I picked up my car, he was as excited as I was to have helped me. Before Miramar Auto, I took my truck to the Honda dealer, and they charged twice as much for a diagnosis, only to tell me that I would need a new compressor (incorrect diagnosis) and that it would cost twice as much as I ended up paying out the door at Miramar auto. I couldn't believe how easy Miramar Auto made it. To say that Jason, Pedro, and Miramar Auto are honest, fair, and made me feel taken care of... would be an understatement. They have rightfully earned another lifelong customer. Thank you Miramar Auto!

Valvoline Instant Oil Change

3.8

(94 reviews)

I had a very disappointing experience at Valvoline. During my oil change, my vehicle was…read moresignificantly overfilled with oil. As soon as I started the engine, the car was shaking and smoke was coming from the exhaust. The staff drained and refilled the oil, but the problem did not improve. Assistant Manager Ana told me to drive the vehicle and that the smoke would go away. I was not comfortable doing so given the condition of the car. Manager Efrain never came outside to speak with me about the situation despite my concerns. The vehicle ultimately had to be towed to the dealership for diagnosis and repairs. I have since filed a claim with Valvoline and am awaiting resolution. This experience was frustrating and left me without a reliable vehicle.

While I'm not confident that I was overcharged for the services I got, the convenience and…read morepoliteness of the attendants was worth it. There was a degree of upselling but not pushy. I was leaving early the next morning for a road trip and had put off an oil change until the night before - so glad they were open late. I especially appreciated that they would ask if it was okay every time they needed to reach inside the car to reset or open anything. They were patient and answered my questions fully and without patronizing. I even learned how to change the cabin filter myself!

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vita r.

16 years ago

I checked the reviews for this center and so far they've received great reviews. The tech (Thanh Nguyen) was nice and friendly. I arrived at 3:15 and was out of there by 3:30. I called beforehand to check the wait time and he wasn't busy. He also told me it would be approximately 10-15 minutes to perform the test. They are in a residential area. They share the same driveway as the mexican restaurant. They're all the way in the back after a couple of small houses. There's only like 3 off-street parking. They charged me $40 for my 2004 car. The smog center in front of the Chula Vista DMV is charging $58. http://fairmountsmogtestonly.com/ read more

Samuel R.

1 year ago

Man this place is hidden but let me tell you service was fast and easy! I pulled up and pretty much pulled out before my lunch break 10/10 I am bringing my over cars here when I grab taco shop next time for sure. Tony I believe he is the owner really treated me well and assured me that they would send the certification as soon as possible so that I can grab my tags from the dmv today and he was RIGHT. Hidden gem right here guys plenty of shade and fresh air! There is a taco shop next door and a liquor store too! read more

Esthefania G.

108

11 months ago

Tony is very friendly and professional. He clearly explained how long the smog test would take and kept me informed throughout the process. The shop is efficient, organized, and honest everything was done exactly as promised without any hassle. I really appreciate the quality of service and the straightforward communication. I'll definitely be coming back here for future smog checks and highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for fast, reliable service. read more

David H.

1 year ago

Tony is a thorough smog technician also very courteous. I take all my smog tests to Bancroft Smog Test. Which is once or twice a year depending on the rotation of my registration on multiple cars. Regardless of pass or fail he's still very helpful. Price is standard since stations are regulated but there's currently a coupon which they offer periodically. read more

Martin M.

1 month ago

easy to find, small but if not too busy *less than 3 vehicles in testing, convenient and Very good prices, friendly service. Vietnamese man guided me in, and even gave me $10 off- on their website. In and out in less than 25 min, more like 20 min. as a few showed up after me.. $50 total for my sub compact size 2016 car, INCL 8.25 cert. fee. wow!! read more

Dalton B.

8 years ago

I have been coming to Bancroft Smog for quite a while now with different vehicles! They are fast, professional and extremely friendly! They will even run a OBD computer pretest before the actual smog check to make sure your vehicle is good to go! I 100% recommend these guys! Fast, friendly and professional! read more

Nancy R.

15 years ago

This guy was super polite and FAST. In and out in 15 minutes. Be sure to download your $10 off coupon. Hard to find, as it is in a garage behind a taco shop, but look for the signs and follow them up the alleyway. This was the least expensive smog check I could find, and I did my research. read more

Marco E.

8 years ago

I been coming to this place for yrs. Im in the car bussiness and i have taken my cars to diff places before. And let me tell you, this place is the best spot for smogs. Very Honest and respectful. Ricardo is my guy to go to everytime i smog my cars. He has earned 5 stars and more in my book. read more

Romulus T.

2 years ago

I have been coming back to this shop for many years now and never been disappointed. The technician is very courteous and have great customer service. The test is quick. He also showed me a part that needs to be fixed which is a bonus fo me. I highly recommend this shop. Romulus read more

Josh And Michele C.

9 years ago

Since discovering this place last year, I have always brought my cars here. They knock the price down if u mention finding them through Yelp. Tony is super nice and friendly. Is kind of hidden though, look for Loretos taco shop and you should see the smog signage. read more

Maryann H.

15 years ago

I pulled up, the guy came out, pulled the car in, 10 minutes later I was done and headed out for $40 (Corolla), as quoted. If you're going in, you drive through the taco shop drive-thru and it's past the fence in the back. Quick and cheap. read more

Rec S.

2 years ago

Quick, Simple and easy! Gentleman is very polite and will get you in and out with what you need! The prices are all listed on the wall so there's no questions or hidden fees. 10/10 would suggest if you need your car smogged. read more

Tk 2.

2 years ago

This is my second time here within the last year at this location and I got both of my cars smogged. This time I came in on a Saturday around 10am and was in and out. The service was great and I got a discount for returning. read more

Arline C.

1 year ago

Been coming here for years. Always get great customer service and great work! Smog check was also fast:) . Always trust him to do things right, I will definitely continue to keep coming back here. read more

Padres T.

3 years ago

Been coming to this business for years. Great service and very nice honest people working here. Fast and reliable source. Definitely recommend this business! Will keep coming every year! read more

Justin J.

5 months ago

was able to do my 98 Chevy lifted on 35s.no problem. A lot of other shops won't or can't do It. will definitely be coming back here for all muah vehicles. fas and professional service . read more

Zo Y.

2 years ago

Thank You Tony!!! He is a very knowledgeable and professional person. He treated my vehicle with extreme care. He answered all of my questions and provided excellent service. read more

Alex G.

6 months ago

lve been coming to this smog place for years. Tony never disappoint. it's always fast and easy and he always has customer satisfaction to the fullest. Highly recommend.!! read more

Horacio B.

15 years ago

this place is great! i recived a huge deal coupon at smartsmog.com. love it. The place gives very good service too, so don't think twice n pick Bancroft Smog Test read more

Elena C.

11 months ago

My dad has been coming to this place for a long time! Got my first smog check here and haven't been anywhere else since. Great customer service and quality. read more

Bancroft Smog Test Only - smog_check_stations - Updated August 2026

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(68 reviews)

Convenient and have been going to him for years! He always gives you the opportunity to come back…read morewithin a week or two if it fails he's always been on the up and up the guy running the place is a solid plus!

These guys had me in and out in less than 15 minutes with a SMOG pass certificate! Definitely…read morerecommended -

La Mesa Smog Check

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in and out, no appointment-maybe 15 minute. The technician was personable, knowledgeable, and gave…read moreme all the answers i needed. ill be back

Had an appointment and they were quick and just what I hoped for. Definitely recommendread more

A1 Smog Test

(63 reviews)

I rolled up during my lunch break and the guy working here had me pull my car right I nto the…read moregarage, no line at all. I sat in one of the chairs he had outside and 15 minutes later (if that), I was on my way. Just what I needed! Total cost was $58 for "inspection, test, and certificate" for my OBD-2 enabled crossover. The location didn't seem to be listed on Google Maps but the location on yelp's map is accurate as is its address in Google Maps.

After a bad experience at Broadway Smog I was happy this place was right down the street. I…read moreexperienced quick, friendly and professional service from A1 Smog. There was no wait time on a Saturday.

Lemon Grove Test Only Station

(63 reviews)

This place is excellent. Clean, and the owner is courteous and professional. I've been coming here…read morefor years to get my cars smog and even to have my air conditioning serviced. His prices are reasonable and like I said, he is friendly and professional. Save yourself the trouble of going all over town looking for an honest smog place. This is it!

Fast and efficient! Didn't pass the first time because we had just replaced the battery but we…read morewere told what we needed to do and we would receive a reduced rate if we came back within a month. We did and it passed without a problem!

Magnolia Test Only Station

3.8

(75 reviews)

I get my car wash here and needed a smog so I thought I would try it. Very impressed. Fast. Great…read moreprice and felt very comfortable. I have a 20 year old car and get nervous but nothing to worry here. Hard to find honest business these days

Overall, good service and completed everything...BUT…read more I called ahead, asked about having time to do a smog check (lunch hour) he said sure thing, come on down, great! be there in 10mins. I get there and two cars ahead of me, both been there a bit...well ok, waited about 15mins (lunch hour) So completed smog check, passed, good! Payment, see the coupon here on Yelp? well guy says "that's the old coupon" shows me a plastic laminate on in hand, here's the new one...$5 bucks more..then proceeds to wave over the charges, smog check, cert, tax etc.. so end of story, it was total $55, i wasnt in mood to haggle over $10 bucks..but you think they'd honor whats on their site..yes/no..

Broadway Smog Test Only

4.3

(97 reviews)

Broadway Smog Test only is the place to go for your smog testing needs. My truck had to have a new…read morecatalytic converter put on it and when I went to get it smogged, the guy hooked it up and several sensors were not ready. So he disconnected and told me he was not going to charge me. He made a few suggestions how to get it ready. I had to put 650 miles on it to get it ready. If you need service for smog these are the guys. They got it done for me today. They checked it for me 5 times at no charge before hooking it up again. I cannot give them enough a recommendation.

The dude working there was rude from the start. I was not greeted, he only said "drive up further"…read morethen "get out of your car" in a tone like I should have known when he was ready. It was when I heard him cackle at a Fox News segment about migrants dying in a stampede that I was glad the test hadn't started so I could take my business elsewhere. I told him why I was leaving and was instructed to "go drink Kool-Aid" as if having human empathy makes me the one in a cult.

Smog Pros

4.3

(99 reviews)

Wonderful Service! Fast and friendly! Answered all my questions about smog checks. They also honor…read morethe coupon sent by mail.

Cali v. Smog - STAR Station & Vehicle Registration Service

(194 reviews)

Went in for a smog check and it went well. Cost a little more than other places but much more.read more

88 Smog Test Only Station

(43 reviews)

Reviewing a smog station? Yeah, that's weird. But still, this is a quality establishment! Tich is…read morean honest and friendly guy, and totally professional. Let's be real: his job is to give people bad news sometimes, and I've watched him do that with professionalism AND compassion, often with a dose of useful information. Because he's a test-only, he's not in the business of upselling costly repairs, and I appreciate that. If you're stuck waiting behind a bunch of other customers, there are some good quite bites to eat nearby: The Barbecue Pit and Baskin Robins are right across Garfield. Across Fletcher there's Rancho Villa, Beef N Bun.

Great service and fair price. Quick and quality! I had to come back for re-test, and that was…read moreefficient too

California Smog Check