Express Smog Test Only

310

199

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2 years ago

I picked this place because of the stellar reviews and everyone was right -- Vic is the absolute best!!! He explains everything very thoroughly. He's easy to talk to, respectful and efficient l. My car failed the first time because of a memory issue from a recent repair. He gave me clear instructions. I made an appointment to come back and he helped checked to see if there were any glaring errors before retesting. Ended up passing which is great! Def come here to do your smog checks! Vic is your man read more

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Cindy L.

10 months ago

I was a drive in appointment on a Saturday morning and promptly greeted. Service was friendly, honest, and prompt. My car's smog test was done in less than 15 mins while I waited in the shade. $65 is a good Pasadena value. read more

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Stephen M.

1 year ago

Vick is courteous, efficient, explains everything great clearly. Remix you feel comfortable. Highly recommend.

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Lance Y.

2 years ago

Staff are quick and friendly. I was in and out in14 mins (1 car) ahead of me. Great professional work at a good price. Vick seems to the hardest worker in pasadena ! read more

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Catherine B.

1 year ago

I took my car in for a smog test today and I would definitely recommend them to everyone. Mr. Vick was very nice, professional, and helpful. The service was great and super fast. Thank you! read more

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Sandra D.

1 year ago

If you need a smog this is the place. He's fast, efficient, knowledgeable and very kind

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Staci F.

2 years ago

During lunch today, I checked my email and realized my car registration renewal was due. Fortunately, I caught it in time and avoided any fees. I also remembered I needed a STAR Smog check for the renewal. I searched Yelp and found Express Smog Test Only, about 10 minutes away in Pasadena. I called Vick around 2:20pm. He explained that one customer was ahead of me and that service was first-come, first-served. He also mentioned the price was $55, which seemed reasonable. I arrived about 15 minutes later, just as Vick was finishing with the other customer. The whole process--from filling out paperwork to completing the STAR Smog check, paying, and discussing next steps--took about 15 minutes. I was back home by 3pm. Quickest Smog check I've ever had! Vick was kind, organized, and communicated clearly, which explains his great reviews. The waiting area was clean and convenient, letting you watch your car while you wait. Given the excellent service, fair price, and speed, I highly recommend Vick and Express Smog Test Only. Although they don't take appointments, it's worth calling ahead to check the wait time. read more

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R B.

10 months ago

This smog place totally rocks! The owner is very professional and efficient and won't waste any of your time! I'll be back!

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bev a.

10 months ago

Fast and friendly, I recomment Vick's shop highly. He makes the process far less unpleasant than it could be!

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Daniel C.

1 year ago

This is easily the most affordable, fastest, and professional smog testing shop in the area. Vick is a great guy and very good at his job.

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Alonzo R.

2 years ago

so many choices when it comes to a smog test in this town pick another place I did and it was better don't waste your time here read more

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Jae R.

Elite 24

540

234

1439

3 years ago

Quick and easy and only $50. Walk in only. Does the STAR verification too in case you need that. read more

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VV1ninjas ..

1 year ago

The worker here is quick and straight to the point, he understands that we all want to be in and out as soon as we can. With the tests being the most time consuming thing, he's very efficient at making sure your time isn't wasted. One of the best, if not the best, SMOG checks in the Pasadena area. read more

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T G.

3 years ago

Vick is fantastic. He knows his stuff. I called & got a quote. I came by the shop. He quickly & efficiently got me taken care of with a great attitude. I highly recommend it. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. I wish every business was run as well as Vick's small shop. read more

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Yule S.

137

301

5718

5 years ago

It's only five minutes walking from my home. It's quick, it's welcome. The owner will tell everyone where the kiosk is once you got passed. So convenience, good job. read more

Express Smog Test Only - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Ali O.

350

2 years ago

Had to smog my car for registration and this place is the BEST. Fast, clean, organized--it was our second time, took around 15 minutes and cost $55, and we'll definitely be back again. read more

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Lynne G.

2 years ago

Excellent customer service. No appointments needed. First come, first serve basis. Test was completed in 10 minutes.

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DuVon D.

2 years ago

Amazing service and a great personality, especially after I arrived only five minutes before closing.

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Patrick B.

2 years ago

My old car didn't pass the first inspection. Vick took the time to explain exactly what needed to be done and how to go about getting it done. I took my car to my trusted mechanic and he said the exact same thing as Vick. I followed their directions and sure enough passed the re-inspection. read more

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Santosh O.

241

3 years ago

Great service! Vick was fantastic! Got me in and out in 10 minutes. Gave me helpful info on where to get my dmv registration done. And did it all with a smile and style! read more

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Lance M.

2 years ago

This is the second time I've gone to see Vick for a smog check. He's extremely efficient, friendly, taking only as much time as needed to do the test. He explains the fees up front, letting you know the price for pass, price for fail and gives recommendations for how to proceed with your registration once the test is completed and transmitted electronically to the DMV. Always support local businesses when possible, they appreciate your patronage. read more

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S J.

209

2 years ago

Fast, efficient service, knowledgeable. Very nice business, hardworking man. Thank you Vick for helping me find my key lanyard in my handbag today! You are the BEST! You can certainly be proud of all the 5-star reviews you have here. read more

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1254 M.

2 years ago

Super good service quick and professional Highly recommend!! It's hard to find this kind of service these days

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George A.

2 years ago

Walked in to get my car smog checked at this location. It's a Star station as well, so that's helpful. Vick was efficient, as a walk in I was out in 15 minutes. He offered advice on the best way to go about submitting the paperwork after the fact. I'll come back here when my cars need smogs again. read more

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Wendell K.

141

4 years ago

Vick was recommended to me by a good friend in which he has taken all of his cats to him for the smog service and informed me Vick was great with is professional and service plus on top of that in and out in about 10 mins. I highly recommend read more

Express Smog Test Only - My ride that was serviced - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Sun K.

147

302

870

5 years ago

The mechanic is very nice. He talks very fast but he understands that people are busy and wants to respect everyone's time. Came here for a quick SMOG and was finished within 10 minutes. I would happily recommend this spot. Note: the shop is in a shared parking lot w/ a VALERO gas station so try to watch out for other cars or just fill up your tank while you wait. read more

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Lilly X.

333

144

4 years ago

Best place for a smog check. You don't pass, you don't pay (one time). Had two tests here over the years - no probs at all. Vick is FAST - the test took 10 min. He's a nice guy, great service and very reasonable price. Results should reach the DMV in about 2 hours. read more

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Tony G.

5 years ago

The guy running the place was unbelievably rude to customers while I was there. He talks down to everyone in a extremely condescending manner. Amazing that the other reviews of this place are so good. I will never go back. read more

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Kim V.

106

155

5 years ago

Drove up 10 min before opening around 7:50am. Vick was ready to complete my smog check. Very efficient and speedy. Everything went smooth, there's 6 foldable chairs to wait. Took no more than 15 min of my day to get my smog done. He also kindly took the time to explain renewal options at the nearest DMV kiosk. I recently moved to Pasadena so this was really helpful. Would definitely recommend Vick and his business to others!! read more

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Janae M.

179

3 years ago

Always fast and helpful. 3rd time coming here and the service is always top notch and quick. Thank you Vick.

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Abby M.

4 years ago

First of all don't walk over the machine! It is clearly marked: Don't Walk. Second this place is awesome! The owner is very friendly and full of enthusiasm. He had me in and out in 20 minutes. Also gave me tips for submitting my paperwork. read more

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Nicole C.

119

102

5 years ago

Consistent. Solid. Fast. Vic is great. I came here again for a smog check after having a great experience last year. He's simple, kind and straightforward with the price and time it will take. read more

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Husam G.

3 years ago

I took my car there and dealt directly with Vick. Great service and was very fast to get the car done. Overall a very nice person and very honest. I had to fight him to try and give him a small tip for his courtesy and great service. This will be the place I will be bringing our vehicles to for SMOG tests. read more

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Christine A.

5 years ago

This is the best smog check location I have been to. They are fast and efficient and even let me know about easy options to get my registration right away (AAA and some Ralphs - including the one on Foothill - have a machine where you can get it immediately). Having to get a smog check is always such a pain, it adds one more thing I have to do, but this place makes it really painless. I would highly recommend. read more

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Joey P.

4 years ago

You know that feeling when you go home for Christmas and your parents anticipate your every need? Me neither. But getting smogged here is what I bet it feels like. We pull up. Get smogged in 10 min flat for $45. That alone is worth five stars in the eyes of frustrated CA drives with a car older than five years... then enter the owner... the father figure I've been craving since adolescence. He told me about the nearest DMV kiosk to get my expired tags renewed same day. He told me about common mechanical pitfalls of my POS Lexus IS (and more importantly how to fix them). I've never been as warm, safe, and comfortable as I was in this man's shop. Please. For the love of whichever God you pray to, give this man your $45 to get a smog check. Thank me later. read more

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Artemis C.

5 years ago

Best smog test station. It's a 19 minute drive for me but it's always worth it. The whole process is fast and the price is really great compared to other stations. Vick is very professional and informative. I've been bringing both of my cars here for 4 years now. read more

Express Smog Test Only - In & out in 7 minutes. - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Mary L.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

398

479

2590

8 years ago

Vick is extremely easy to work with. I drove in on a Tuesday at 3:30 PM. This is located inside the Valero gas station lot. I was willing to wait but Vick got me in and out in about 10 minutes. He was very helpful. The best price in town $39.95 out the door price. I am definitely coming back here again. read more

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Matt T.

5 years ago

Vick's a good guy. Failed smog the first time, he gave me good advice on what I should do. Handled the issue, came back for my free retest and passed. Vick's friendly, helpful, and quick with his work, couldn't ask for more. read more

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More info about Express Smog Test Only

1816 E Villa St
Unit A
Pasadena, CA 91107
Directions
(626) 844-0379
Call Now

Payment methods

Does Express Smog Test Only take credit cards?

Yes, Express Smog Test Only takes credit cards.

Other Amenities

Does Express Smog Test Only have free WiFi?

No, Express Smog Test Only does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We are remaining open during these times with regular business hours until further notice. If you have any questions please give us a call at (626) 844-0379. Express Smog Test Only is a STAR Smog Inspection center in Pasadena, CA, serving our community since 1998. Trust the professionals to provide prompt service with honesty and integrity. Express Smog Test Only Center offers emission testing and certification of any car as required by the state of California. Cost varies depending on type and year of vehicle, and covers one free retest if vehicle fails, please call for price quote. For trucks more than ¾ tons and up, RVs, and vans, pricing varies. Please call to hear about our specials. Calls placed within 15 minutes prior to closing (after 5:45PM Mon-Fri, 3:45PM Sat) will not be taken, but no appointments are necessary, walk-ins are always welcome until close. Customers are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Our technicians have many years of experience and are professional and honest. There is no benefit to us if your car fails a test. Legally we are unable to recommend a repair shop if your car fails, but we have a list of repair stations we can provide you with. Please remember to always keep your vehicle maintained and drive with safety in mind.

History

Established in 2002.

Express Smog Test Only Center has been serving Pasadena since 2002. Our mission is to provide prompt service with honesty and integrity. With over a decade of success, we look forward to adding you to our long history of happy customers.

Meet the Business Owner: Vick T.

Vick has been in the automotive industry since 1982 and in the smog industry since 1998. He has been running Express Smog Test Only Center since 2002. Vick hopes to provide you with such a positive experience you'll remember to return to Express Smog Test Only Center when it is time for your next emissions test.

More Info

Hours

Ask the Community - Express Smog Test Only

If the car fails smog can we bring back the car for a free retest within a certain number of days?

Completed my smog today 9/21/21 and the receipt says "if your vehicle fails the test, we will perform one free retest if you return within 30 days of initial test. FREE RETEST IS NOT GRANTED WITHOUT THE RECEIPT AND THE PRINTOUT"

View question details

Review Highlights - Express Smog Test Only

“Given the excellent service, fair price, and speed, I highly recommend Vick and Express Smog Test Only.”

Mentioned in 68 reviews

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Explore benefits

Pasadena Test Only & Smog Check

(1.3k reviews)

Super easy and quick - no appointment needed. Probably in and out within 10 mins. Current price for…read morea smog check in April 2026 is $60 cash ($65 credit). - Saturday hours are great (8am-2pm) - Enter into the garage area from Greenwood St (not Walnut) - They do a few other services like oil changes The only other thing to highlight is that there is a small fee to retest if the car fails the smog check. You can share with them that you are not sure if the car will pass smog and they can try to do a few basic things to gauge right off the bat which we appreciated. Other places may do re-test for free if you do the initial smog check with them (but possibly higher in overall price) so keep that in mind.

The couple who runs this have been doing this for years, they get to it right away, sometimes…read morethere's a line of cars but doesn't take very long. Needed a smog check to renew my registration.

Hill Smog Test Only

4.9

(102 reviews)

EXCELLENT service! This is the first year I had to get a smog test for my car and wasn't sure where…read moreto go. Hill Smog is just down the street and gave me the best quote of other smog testing facilities in the area. Quick response and quick service :) I was in and out. 10/10 would go back!

No bullsht, just straight business highly recommend. Got in got out super fast and nice staff tooread more

Pasadena Smog Brake & Lamp & Safety

(133 reviews)

Ara was very informative and responsive. Friendly and checked my brakes when I came in for a smog…read morecheck.

Took my GX460 in for an oil change that I needed to get done last minute due to a road trip I had…read moreto make the next morning. The guys there were super awesome, trustworthy and professional. I love my truck and I would trust these guys at this shop with it (which is saying a lot).

Vista Test Only Center

(233 reviews)

I had a great experience at Vista Test Only Center. It was pretty busy when I arrived, but the…read morestaff kept everything moving efficiently and communicated clearly about the wait. What really stood out was their customer service--they even offered me a cold bottle of water and a mini pastry while I waited, which was such a thoughtful touch. The technicians were professional, friendly, and had me in and out as quickly as possible despite the crowd. It's easy to see why they've built such a strong reputation for smog checks in Pasadena. If you're looking for an honest, efficient place with genuinely kind customer service, I definitely recommend Vista Test Only Center!

These guys are standup gentlemen. They took me on short notice and smogged my vehicle very quickly…read more Their prices are also great. While I was waiting, they were very hospitable. Offered me somewhere to sit and wait and even offered me coffee and water twice. Great people. I'll be back when smog check time comes around again.

Mission Smog

(86 reviews)

I have been meaning to write this review for so long, probably almost a year…read more Hands down, this was absolutely the best smog experience I've ever had. The service was amazing, incredibly friendly and quick. I called in to see if they had any availability, and said to just come on by. Of course, in the 5 minutes it took for me to drive over there, a couple other customers got there first haha, but all good I really didn't mind waiting a bit. I can't remember what I paid, but I know for sure it was the best deal compared to all the other smog check businesses that I called. Both my car and my wife's car have to be smogged every couple years due to their age, so we'll definitely be back here soon. Thank you so much! Truly the best 5-Stars all around.

Excellent + efficient service, in a comfortable environment and convenient location! I called this…read moremorning first thing to see if they could do the STAR Smog Test on my 2012 Nissan Juke before I went into work and they were able to accomodate - and I was in/out in 30 minutes. Owner Fred is kind and gracious. I'm glad I took my car here today and will continue to until I stop getting these notices!

The Smog Spot

(771 reviews)

Highly recommend to go to The Smog Spot. I've been going here every year for multiple cars to take…read morein for service for smog check. Value - Price is good. Service - Quick. (they provide multiple services) Renewal, title transfer, CRVA weight decal, duplicate title, nee license plate, registration tags, and vin verification. Staff - Friendly and knowledgeable.

Great experience! One thing that immediately stood out was how responsive they were on Yelp…read moresomething that's surprisingly rare these days. I reached out with a question and got a quick reply right away. I stopped by during lunch on a weekday with no appointment, and Jonathan got me taken care of quickly and professionally. The whole smog check process was easy, straightforward, and had me back on the road in no time. The waiting area was also a nice bonus, with plenty of shade and a swamp cooler that made the wait comfortable, especially on a warm day. Friendly service, great communication, no appointment needed, and fast turnaround. I'll definitely be back when I need my next smog check.

Pasadena Test Only Center

4.0

(50 reviews)

Yourik assisted me in doing my smog test today. He was kind, respectful, honest, and knowledgeable…read more Sometimes being a woman and getting your car service can feel like a scam, however I would recommend his business. It was quick, less than 10 minutes and not expensive. Overall I would say my experience was a 10/10!!

Guy was in a bit of a hurry and hastily took care of me. No hard feelings, I also just wanted to…read moreget my work done and go about my day. Value-wise, it is very well-priced. You can't do better. You get in, they take care of business, you pay and you get out. Very practical and straightforward. Best place in Pasadena to do the Smog check.

Certified Auto Repair Specialist

(115 reviews)

I have been going to a different mechanic for over 10 years. I was I a bind and needed my battery…read morechanged out. it was 5pm my usual mechanic said just come in the morning and we can do it, I couldn't wait till the morning, so I drove around looking for a mechanic and without any issues Certified Auto took my car and switched the battery. They also checked my oil and topped off (I was extremely low). Today I came in to ask a question about my oil. They noticed I was past due on my oil change and said we could take you now and have you put in an hour. This would have never happened at my old mechanic. To be seen by them you have to go first thing in the morning leave your car and hope they call you same day to say it's ready for pickup. I would definitely recommend come here. Fast efficient and worth your time.

These guys have been taking care of my cars through the years, from the clutch on my 2013 BRZ back…read morein 2017, brake pads on my Miata NC, our family Accord, and oil changes on my Focus RS. These guys have done an excellent job every time doing what they do well, with full transparency and in an Ernest fashion. I have loved being a local to Pasadena since 2008, and love to support local businesses like CARS!!!

J&E Complete Auto Service

4.9

(924 reviews)

I still take my 2017 Mazda 3 to Emad and I will never go anywhere else…read more Emad is the man! I also appreciate how he texts reminders for oil change and maintenance etc. Thank you for keeping my car running smoothly over all these years, I want to drive my Mazda until 100K miles. I am grateful for you guys!!!

It was finally time to get my new-ish car serviced and so after doing some research and even asking…read morea few AI chatbots, I settled on this spot after reading lots of great reviews. I called ahead to confirm if they could make time and we agreed on a date/time that worked. Upon arrival, the shop was jam packed with tons of cars. Feeling a bit worried that my check up would take forever, they quoted me about 1.5hrs to do the standard checks including brakes, tires, fluids, and oil change and it actually ended only taking 1 hour! Very thankful that they were able to squeeze me into their busy schedule and take care of my car efficiently with friendly service! They've won me over and I'll definitely come back again in a few months for the next service date. What's also great is there are a lot of pretty decent spots to eat and even a few nice bakeries too while you wait for your car to get serviced. Highly recommend giving them your business!

Gabriel's Automotive

(429 reviews)

I ended up having a sudden repair I needed for my alternator and found this shop right next to my…read moreoffice. Called in the morning, took it in at lunch, and they were done by day's end. Fast, efficient, very transparent and fair pricing and awesome service. I will be back?

I contacted the business through Yelp, got a quote and booked an appointment. Got there and was…read moretold that I might need to replace my rotors as well and was quoted $75 for each. I was fine with it and then had the service done. I paid and left. When I got home, I looked over the bill and saw that it was higher than what was quoted through Yelp for the pads. I contacted the owner and he said that he gave me a verbal quote and then said he gave me better pads( which is not reflected on the invoice or told to me prior to the work was done) and then went back to he gave me a verbal quote for the difference in price. The verbal quote he told me he gave was not even the price he charged me. Overall the service was good and quick. The quoting and charging was my issue. I will take ownership that I didn't inspect the final invoice before paying but I still think that the business owner should have honored his original quote and if an upgraded part was used and was billed (according to the owner) then should be approved beforehand.

JC’s Mobile Automotive Air Conditioning Service

4.9

(64 reviews)

Prompt and got our AC working for our 2005 Honda Pilot. JC was communititave about the issue and…read morewhat he needed to do. I would highly recommend him if you need your AC checked out.

Everything went smoothly. He communicated clearly that an earlier appointment was available, and he…read morecame over at the time decided. The service went well and my AC is nice and cold again.

World Famous 4x4