Ok, if you don't feel like reading a long soliloquy and the dramatic impact of the pertinent events, then just know, Dan at Crown Smog/Chevron on Loma Vista and Main in Ventura is an honest, informative, respectful, and helpful dude whom this neighborhood is lucky to have. Now for the narrative: In search of the cheapest smog station in Ventura, Oxnard or Camarillo, I came upon Crown Smog, which is not at Crown Dodge like i thought at first, but is the Chevron on loma Vista and Main. They offered price match online. Well, I had an obscenely low priced smog done the day before in SB (which i did not pass) and provided that information to Dan, the owner/operator of Crown Smog. He said he had just come across a customer recently with that same ad and could not believe a company would offer such a low price. Nonetheless, he gave me a discount matching the price as closely as he could without losing money. (Even without his discount, he is the lowest price in Ventura.) Ok now; switch scenes. Pan in to Diana, (me) at the first smog site in SB, the day before Dan.. After receiving the failing mark from the sb sheister, I was subsequently offered a repair which would cost 83$to diagnose. . He also tried to charge me the advertised price plus the price of the certificate, which he did not issue because he failed me. "Oops", he said and I thought..".honest mistake?" He told me, regarding the fail, that the codes on the fail were on the "computer side" that he had no idea to know what they meant until he checked...for 83$. :/ So there you have the reason he was offering 22.95 for smog (with cert fee and some other 2$-ish processing fee or transfer fee or something.) Sitting in my car in SB, post failed smog, I was like, "wait a minute, what if he failed me so I would pay him for expensive service. And I don't think he was tired from a long day, he definitely talked down to me maybe because I am a woman or maybe he is just rude. Naively, I thought of how concerned he seemed and how willing to get to the root of the problem on my behalf he was. "No, I thought, he couldn't be scamming me. That doesn't really happen." Well, I was later made to feel like a chump-and-a-half when I found out that, IF your check engine light is on, Don't smog, it will not pass.... Info that was surprisingly not offered from Sheisty. Sorry I'm getting lazy and this is not an actual government website, but I have a hunch it's accurate. Definately let people know if it's not. Generally, as long as a vehicle is running well, the check engine light is not on, and the battery has not been recently disconnected or gone dead, a vehicle will likely pass smog. -lyonautorepair.net Additionaly, it is completely illegal to fail someone and then offer them a pricey (or free) service to diagnose/fix the problem. Hmmm...I wonder why? Again, too lazy to cite a source. Lmk if wrong. Needless to say, I was delighted to meet Dan who was so informative, respectful, helpful, and honest...super down-to earth. He genuinely seems to care about people..women included and treats us (women) as intelligent, respect-worthy people. He is local to the core with certain works his creativity, some collaborative, displayed or lying around. He did no self-promotion regarding these btw, i specifically asked because i was working on some similar things. Refreshing to meet a local business owner such as him. Save money and experience positivity at Crown Smog! P.S. I'm going to contact sheisty and tell him this will be published on yelp and nextdoor unless i get my money back. (a little about me: I have been known to accidentally press post. And how did Sheisty's info get typed in my post entry box.? Slippery fingers and its a secret.) My fingers are feeling an on-coming slip after he contacts me about the refund. read more

I came in for the smog check with my '95 Mercedes, and being a woman I was anxious about spending $100 as I had in Camarillo for many years. Classical music was playing in the garage! Dan did the smog and it was only $40. He made an adjustment to the fuel and said I should get better mileage from then on. I expressed concerns about needing a tuneup. He said he didn't think I needed one, but referred me to Concourse Auto Repair and said to mention his name. He said they wouldn't overcharge and were fair. Dan is definitely the man. He made an otherwise anxious situation into a pleasant and mellow experience. I felt like a winner when I left. An honest mechanic; go figure! read more

I have been coming to this location for several years. Dan is polite, helpful and knows cars and trucks inside and out. He honored a coupon from another business, and even took the time to tell me how to clean my battery terminals properly as they were getting corroded. Then he went ahead and just did it himself while instructing me as he went along, with baking soda and water, then dried it with compressed air and even painted the terminals with a protective coating for free. He said he appreciates positive yelp reviews and here it is. I will take my wife's car here when it is due for sure! Dan is the Man! Thanks!! read more

The staff at Crown Smog went above and beyond during my most recent visit! The staff was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I had gotten a new car battery a week before getting my smog check, which unbeknownst to me, caused my first smog check to fail; the staff was patient and kind and gave me helpful tips to get enough memory stored on my battery in a short amount of time. I followed his advice and a half hour later, the smog check passed! It was very refreshing to have someone try to 'help' when they could have just gone about their day. I will definitely go back in the future! read more

Fast, efficient, friendly, and affordable. I called to see if I needed to make an appointment (I didn't). I drove from Santa Paula based on the reviews and the phone conversation during which Dan was very straightforward and personable, told me how much it would be (very reasonable), that there were coupons out there that I could bring or show on my phone to save some money, and then gave me the directions. After the drive, took less than 15 minutes before I was on the road again. Great service and I will return and recommend! Thank you, Dan! read more

Am not one to write reviews but after getting my truck smogged here I feel I need to comment. Best price around and I didn't feel like the mechanic was pulling a fast one. Since its a "Test Only" shop...they have no interest in having you fail the test (as other shops may have). Dan knows his stuff and is honest. Not many in the auto repair industry like that! I will be bringing my smog test needs to Dan for now on. read more

Over too many years, don't know how many smog checks I've gotten, but a lot! Never had one as courteous and easy as today. Dan was great, drove right in, he was starting the check as I was getting out of the car, went in to the FoodMart for coffee and it was done as I came out. Everything organized and ready to go. Easily the best smog check experience ever! read more

I was looking for smog station around the area and looked on Yelp.Its was inside chevron gas station Few reviews about this place and it was real and I would star more then 5 if there was a way to. Very happy with great customer service fast and the great price (he matched my coupon from a different place) My car passed and I would recommend all others. read more

I hate getting my car smogged but Dan the smog man made it quick and painless. When I got there Dan was able to start right away. The test took maybe 15 minutes and I sat there and chatted while he went to work. Dan is very friendly and efficient and I would recommend this place to anyone. He even gave me a discount, what more could a girl ask for?! read more

Great experience. Dan is super friendly and fast. The whole inspection was done in less than 15 minutes, even when I didn't have my renewal notice with me. He even fixed my fuse panel cover that never stays closed, and gave me a discount today and for the future. I was able to hang out at the station with my 11-month-old baby comfortably. Awesome! read more

Dan is super great! We had to smog test my daughters first car, a 2003 toyota camry. he took the time to explain the smog process as well as basic car maintanence to her. definitely a "way more than usual" car service experience! clean location. quick and easy test. i will be taking all of my cars to dan! read more

I had been using a different Smog Station for years. Searched for the closest Smog Station to the CMH as I was in the area. Found this place, no appointment required. I was able to drive right in. They had a coupon available on their web site. Daniel was a great tech. Fantastic customer service. I will be back read more

I really appreciate good service and quality and this is the place to get both. I have had most all my cars here at one time or another and will come back again and again. In fact I forgot to look for a coupon and was given a five dollar discount just for returning and I didn't even ask for it! Thanks so much! read more

This was my first time having to smog my truck and I'm glad I stopped here! Dan was amazing! He was very patient and kind to me. He took the time to answer all my questions and made me feel safe driving away. I will continue to go to Dan from now on! Thanks Dan! Your new and returning customer ~ Mindy :) read more

This is the best smog place ever! I am so pleased with the customer service here! I have had horrible experiences at other smog places but Dan definitely made me feel at home! He went above and beyond and definitely is the best smog in Ventura. I highly recommend! Thank you Dan the Smog Man! read more

I highly recommend this shop. The Smog tech Dan, was very efficient and professional. He answered all my questions and was very friendly. Thank goodness there is still some great service and good people left in this world that won't try to gauge you for every repair or service to your car. read more