Gosh, we have to be going on 10+ years with Tim as our dependable professional. Provides great service with pride and fair value without springing in you at last minute hidden fees. read more

I took my car to get smogged. It was returned to me with my cigarette-lighter-to-USB power converter and cell phone charger missing (a nice set). When I asked attendant if it had been unplugged and misplaced while the smogging computer had been plugged in (my assumption), he "No, we never need to plug in like that.... Well, sometimes we do. Let me see your car.... No not with that one.... Well, let me think.... No we don't." My partner overheard this exchange. Our separate judgment: The attendant was guilt ridden. I will not return to get my car smogged. If you choose to smog here, I suggest you first remove anything from your car even (or especially?) of petty value. The smogging otherwise seemed finely and efficiently done. read more

There are a million places to get a smog check here but this one was great. Super quick, competitive pricing and the guy was super nice. I highly recommend you trying this place the next time you need something! read more

I was able to get a same day walk in appointment. Super professional and quick (25 min). The attendant even backed into the parking spot after performing the test so I could easily drive out. Thank you for a pleasant experience! read more

Drove in, no appointment, and got me tested aces passed in an hour while I walked around and got a coffee.

Great little smog shop. The guy who runs this shop is honest and cares about you passing smog unlike other smog shops. The prices are decent for the area. If you plan to smog your car always drive the car on the freeway for at least 20mins if your car is 2000 or newer. This will give you a higher likely hood of passing smog on the first shot if you don't drive your car that often read more

I have an older vehicle which requires a STAR smog check. I highly recommend Castro Smog. He is courteous, pleasant, professional and got the job done quickly. He also transmitted the smog report to the DMV for us. I thought that the cost of the smog check was reasonable. read more

Fast, friendly and convenient! I will definitely be back next time I need a smog check.

Thanks so much for being open on Easter Sunday! Tim was very friendly, efficient & gave quick service! I showed him the Yelp coupon, then he honored the discount. He even had my car in an easy to drive away position! read more

Castro Smog - Smog Check Stations Near Me - San Francisco, California

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY! These guys charge $78 for smog checking my Mini Cooper when the store across (Chevron) charges $48!!! After I told them that the gas station across charges $48, he dropped the price to $58. Still wouldn't match the price! Unbelievable!! I do not recommend this place. read more

Castro Smog - Smog Check Stations Near Me - San Francisco, California

Even though my car didn't pass, the experience was so positive due to the kind and knowledgeable inspector. Thank you for taking walk-ins on a Sunday! read more

I've been bringing my family's cars here for a very long time. They know what they are doing, provide very helpful advice, and note any short or long term issues to keep an eye on. I'll keep coming back as long as CADMV makes me do this. read more

We've been getting smogged here every two years, and now we're STAR level, all thanks to these guys!! :-)

I have been taking my car here for years and the service is always quick and efficient, less than 30 minutes and Timothy is super-friendly.

Very fast and friendly. Probably could have saved a few bucks going across town but if it's convenient to you I totally recommend them.

I went here and paid cash because I'm aware that it's tough to run a small business in SF. The guy gave me the wrong change and I'm quite sure it was deliberate. I looked at him after I counted the change and he realized his mistake and pretended that he had calculated it wrong. The follow-up test was only $20 if I came back within 30 days. I had failed the test since I wasn't driving. Admittedly it was about 38 days so at one level I appreciate if you can't honor the discount. However they had tried to cheat me initially which I didn't appreciate. This time around I was given a song and dance about how he didn't charge me for the certificate the first time around. It's just a complete insult to anyone with common sense since you can't give a certificate if the car fails the smog check as well as an outright lie. In principle alone I would never go back to a place which tries to cheat you AFTER you have tried to be nice by paying in cash and then follows up by lying to you. I can only imagine how much they'd lie to you if you used their mechanics since it's not such a clear cut situation. I went to another place for my final smog check-up and I'm glad I did -- easy process and unsurprisingly they were much busier. read more

Arrived there on a Saturday 5minutes before closing and Numan was able to squeeze me in! Prompt and friendly service. He offered me the $20 yelp discount , another cash discount of $5 off, and hand sanitizer. I didn't have enough cash and he gave me the discount anyways. Paid a very reasonable $39.95. read more

Service was prompt and friendly enough but the price for a smog check was $78 -- more than I probably would have paid elsewhere, by a decent amount. I also wasn't quoted the price before he started the test; if he had, I probably would have gone somewhere else. This is a fine option if you just want to get your check done but just be aware you're paying a premium here. read more

I've been using this place for the past 7 years for smog checks. I make an appointment online. Always fast service and reliable.

Came here for a smog test and it was quick and easy. Other places in the city had no availibility and they saw me without an appointment. Easy peasy! read more

Needed a smog check. I went there right after it opened. The guy working said it would take 20 minutes. It took exactly 20 minutes. He was very nice. Cost exactly what he quoted. Prompt, exact, and honest. read more

Went in for a smog check. They were very fast and reasonably priced. Would defiantly recommend!

DON'T GO HERE!!! These guys want to charge $78 for smog check when every other place in SF charges $50 or less. Just cross the street and go to Chevron. You'll pay less for the same thing!!! read more

Reliable and quick. Guy running it was nice, too. Walked me through getting my registration handled.

Tried to support a local small business. Cost me $69 and 2hrs for them to tell me my check engine light was on. Automatic fail apparently. I already knew why it was on and it wasn't smog related. I asked about the smog levels and No smog assessment was even done. No complimentary free retest either, which is pretty standard these days. Total rip off! You think they could have mentioned that when I was checking in the car. Go somewhere else! Most places are cheaper and come with a free retest anyway, if it doesn't pass the first time. I paid $45 or $49 last time just outside the city. Wish I would have done my homework before going here; and wish I would have seen a message like this warning me. Not gonna stop me from supporting small businesses but I will research next time. Lesson learned! read more

Got a smog check here which my car passed (including all sensors) without any issues. The next day my car starts idling really low and intermittently stalling in neutral. I call the smog station to inquire if there are any common problems that may result from a smog check. I was hoping that it was something that got jarred loose that I could quickly repair myself. Instead, the guy who did my smog check starts berating me that he's not a mechanic, it's illegal for him to even consider diagnosing what's wrong and he's never had any problems as a result of his smog checks. I asked one question and he went on a scripted diatribe for a few minutes. Awkward. A few days later I take my car to a trusted mechanic who is dumbfounded by the smog checker's lack of customer service. $200 to replace the oxygen sensor. Bottomline: go somewhere else where they stand behind their work. read more

Very happy with Castro Smog. Tim is a great guy and got me going. I had a 10:00 am appointment (on a Sunday) and he arrived at about 9:35 and got me in right away, less than 1/2 hour later I was done. Paperwork was sent direct to DMV I am in compliance for the next two years and pleased to get this out of the way. Will be back for future Smog Tests. Thanks Tim for making this easy and painless. Would highly recommend. read more

Very friendly, very fast, very helpful. Still open during COVID. Will take my car back again when time for another smog check. Thank you!

This was the best smog experience I've had in my 23 year residence in San Francisco. There was a small leak coming from my gas cap, which could have cost hundreds of dollars to determine at a mechanic. Instead, the technician knew about it and quickly helped me solve the issue so that my car could pass. I am so grateful for their help! Service was way better than the guy across the street at the Chevron, and much faster too. Book online and save $25. read more

The guy here is sooooo nice. He took me in even though he was closing, and was so helpful! The price is fair and not overcharged. Thank you!!!! read more

This is the third Smog Test that I've done here. Once, it failed, but the diagnosis was precise, and I fixed it immediately @ my non-auto dealer shop, and brought it back for a Pass. I've forgotten if he charged me for the first failed test, but I don't think he did. Great place. I'll be getting Smog Checks here until either the car gives out, I don't want it anymore, or I'm not around. read more

9-September, Sunday: I made my appointment online the morning of.. a few hours before opening, Upon my arrival they were already waiting for me, and took my keys and ran their diagnostics immediately. I was in and out in 15 minutes, they are also VERY reasonably priced, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for hassle-free service. read more

Note new owners as of 10/16/2010 One-stall shop, straightforward service, neighborhood, best price anywhere for test-only. They take other coupons too, but negotiate if you don't have one. Free WiFi Been coming here every 2 years. Came by earlier, they had cars stacked up, confirmed the price, came back an hour later as agreed. got right, done in 35 minutes. Not my favorite thing to do (rant: shouldn't there also be safety inspections?). So what if they don't have a nice waiting room and slick TV ads, I'll take the local place with low price for same service read more

I'm not sure how $70 plus a $8 certificate fee is reasonably priced for this process. I suppose this corner allows them to jack up the same process that is $25 cheaper over in SoMa. My experience here was not pleasant overall. I was told conflicting information about what I needed to do to make sure my car would be ready for its retest (told one story after the first test and told a different story right before the retest). I also encountered a problem with incorrect hours being posted on their window of their business. Very little sympathy was extended my way, but I do approve of the change in signage to more accurately reflect their hours of service. I would very much recommend going to a different smog test station. read more

I had my car smog tested here today. The service provided by the staff was prompt and polite - had a friendly chat about the England v USA football game. I used a coupon from http://sfadvertiser.com/coupons/castro-smog-regular-smog-test, and paid $40 total for the test report + tax. The test took about 10 - 15mins, and was a pretty effortless experience. Recommended if you in their area. read more

I called to ask the price and got a $10 discount from a coupon. When I came to pick up the vehicle, a 6-cylinder minivan, the price had jumped from $40 over the phone to over $100 because suddenly it was "a truck" now. They claimed the gas cap was leaking, I can't say, but the new plastic part (without the original keyed lock, mind you) on a five-year-old minivan came to an additional $25. They didn't tell me about the gas cap, I had to ask. I fetched the locking cap from the garbage and still use it. I doubt it's leaking. I found out if it were the check engine light would be on -- the computer in the car is that smart. We'll see if the next smog check finds the cap "leaking." Oh, if you want to pay by credit card, there's a 3% surcharge, noted on an 8-1/2x11 piece of paper on the wall along with numerous other 8-1/2x11 pieces of paper with various messages. Never again. read more

Get ready for an altercation...I was in a rush to get to the DMV to register my car. Stopped in here, was happy to find no line, a smiling face that could take care of my smog test and be done in 15 min. When I returned, he said my car passed, which I expected, and that I owe him $133.41 for the test (then I noticed the friendly smile was very similar to those cheesy guys in the audio/video shops outside time square that rip people off for a living. I argued and he reduced it to $113, crying about how his equipment is expensive etc. I'm at the DMV, and see another guy that was coming in for his smog test (pre-1990 car), and I ask him how much he paid? Answer : $50. So, basically, if you don't discuss the price before your car is tested, get ready to be ripped off... read more

Er...did they raise the prices? It cost me $101 to get my car smogged. I call that a rip off. Good customer service and open on Sunday though... read more

Great customer service. Fast In/out. The smog tech has a great attitude. My only place for smog.

This was a great experience. I made an appointment for the next day via the computer and received a confirmation call within 15 minutes. I also received a coupon for making the reservation on the computer. The man there was really nice and friendly. The waiting area is simple - a couch - but you can walk down Castro Street and be back to retrieve your car after coffee or a snack. read more