Berkeley Star Smog Check

I arrived 45 minutes before their closing time and the gentleman was able to take me in after his current client.
Sebastian was very welcoming, and very helpful when it came to my car. Even though I did not pass, he provided useful information so that I could return and potentially pass. This place beats most considering price, especially if you can check-​in on Unilocal.I received the Unilocal deal for about $ 22. Their retest fee was a lot cheaper than other smog test places. I previously went to one smog place that was $ 50-​$ 60 and their retest fee was $ 40. Berkeley Star Smog Check on San Pablo is regularly $ 40. As cheap as it may be, the service never went downhill. Definitely will go back for the retest.

Sebastian serviced my car and within 15 minutes it was completed and sent off to the DMV. Excellent service and a great price. Just make sure you check the ad because they charge extra for hybrids and some other cars. It doesn’t state how much in the ad. Otherwise, very happy and will be back there next year.

It was incredibly fast, the guy was quick helpful and nice, and over all it was reasonably priced. A great experience and a convenient location!

I searched around the bay area for the best price and found this place on the internet with special offer of $ 15.75 + $ 8.25 cert. It only took about 10 mins and the attendant was very friendly. Do remember to print out and show them the online coupon first though.

There was a new young guy there today he was totally Rude and unprofessional. Not good for business he’s lucky I kept my cool. Very very Rude will not go back there.

Went there just now, mid-​morning on Saturday. There was no wait. The service was friendly and didn’t mind that I watched from the counter area. I was out in about 10 minutes, and I paid a total of $ 24 cash. How can you beat that?
I had found a web site for them at
(they have another site, too), but this one said $ 15.75 cash (plus 8.25 for the electronic certificate) for 2000 and newer passenger cars. I printed the web page, presented it first thing when I got there, and they honored it, as they said they would on the phone.
The place is unprepossessing, not at all shiny like a car dealer’s showroom, but who cares? I got what I needed quickly, at a great price.
Why would I go anywhere else?

Service is good and fast! I got the $ 21.75 coupon when I check in here and +$ 8.25 Cert so I paid $ 30 for a smog check! The wait time was only 15 – 20 mins cuz no one was in front of me. Highly recommended for a smog check (star certified).

They are expensive and perhaps too much so but in the end I was fortunate that Anthony took the time and cared enough to get my very old Jeep past smog. In the end that’s all that mattered to me. As for my emissions — they are clean so, California can suck ‘em! :)

Well, I tried to use the Unilocal coupon for 21.75, but because I didn’t present it at the beginning of the transaction, they refused to honor it. Instead, he generously offered me 30 off the «standard price» of 88. Needless to say, I won’t be coming back in two years when I have to get checked again. On the plus side, they do have slow wifi and a dingy waiting area…

Went to Berkeley Star Smog Check to get my car smog’d today. Prior to getting there, I checked in via Unilocal to get the $ 21.75 price. Once I arrive, they quote me $ 88. Told them I should receive the Unilocal price. They requested my DMV notice and proceed to tell me that I have to pay $ 30 more than the Unilocal price because my notice requires a STAR certified station. I was told this is standard practice for all stations in the area.
What a bunch of BS. Left the place and went up the street and had my car smog’d by a STAR certified station for $ 25. Don’t bother coming here and putting up with the Bull.

Fast, friendly and good price. Definitely going back. If anyone ask about smog check. I’ll send it to here.

I really dislike having to smog our vehicles. That said, Anthony V. @ Berkeley Star Smog was fast, friendly and reasonably priced. I didn’t mind so much! Thanks Anthony V.

Great, fast service at a great price at Berkeley Star Smog check today!

This was the first time getting a Smog Check, so I guess it’s my fault for not investigating prices further. That being said, in a hasty search on Unilocal I read that this place had good prices, so when he said $ 88 I thought it seemed high, but I was out of my element. Upon telling a co-​worker what I paid, I realized I got ripped off. Then I continued to look on the site to see they advertise $ 15.75. Bummed that I got screwed because it was an otherwise good experience.
I hope the owner can help to rectify this.

Best price with a Unilocal check in, super fast & friendly, and a waiting area with wifi… Definitely will be my go to in the future

Be sure to find thier online coupon (
) and suddenly they are the best deal in town. Easy location, nice waiting area. No hassle.

Glad I came here. Very fast and very helpful. Better then any other place I have been. Will definitely come back.

Great employees that work here. They were able to fit me in at 12. Got me in and out! Check in and get your Unilocal deal! I saved a lot!

When it comes time for your biennial smog check, you’re several days until your due date and when you physically live in a different location than the address on your vehicle registration, things can get… a bit stressful.
As I am doing my internship in Berkeley, naturally I turned to Unilocal to find the nearest smog. It’s hard to find an accurate rating for a bunch of smog stations around here because the ones with the most reviews have their reviews artificially elevated (suspect Unilocal accounts non-​Elite with very low review count, no reviewer information and no check-​ins). Hopefully my status and my check-​in will prove I was here.
Came here at 11:36am on 12/​22/​2014.
— Nice attendant who honored the Unilocal check-​in deal. This gets you a $ 21.75 smog test-​only service. With a $ 8.25 certification fee this will total $ 30. This is actually on the lower end of a lot of test-​only sites.
— You don’t physically need your re-​certification paperwork, your current registration (which should always be in your glove compartment!) will be sufficient.
— STAR certified (obviously) if your registration requires you to get tested at a STAR station.
— Your pass test results automatically get transmitted to DMV.
ETA was 10 minutes, though I think I was done earlier.
Nitpick: The waiting area could be a little cleaner, but it’s tolerable if you only have to wait 10 minutes.
UPDATE: I got my sticker from the DMV so this place is legit!

In rather sad news, my go to smog place shut its doors and although it’s «temporary,» I doubt it’ll ever reopen. With only a few days until my renewal hit its due date, I took to Unilocal to find a new place. I looked in the Richmond/​San Pablo area and went from there. After a bit of research, I found Berkeley Star Smog Check which is part of the
group and has several Bay Area locations.
The site has a coupon page and the best price was at this location even though its the same company. I didn’t need a Star test but rather a simple, basic smog check for my 2008 Scion, and for this Berkley Star was charging $ 17.95 + $ 8.25 for the state certificate. I couldn’t believe the price so I called to verify and sure enough, the coupon was legit.
They open at 8am and I was there at 9am on a Thursday and there was only one vehicle ahead of me. Within 10 minutes my car was in the bay and getting tested. As per standard procedure, they ask for your DMV renewal but can look you up nonetheless. I was sure to mention the coupon as soon as I got there and it was no problem at all.
The technician was very friendly and had no problem making small talk as he tested my vehicle. There’s also a waiting area with a TV, old magazines, and free WIFI if you’d like to get some work done. It turns out Berkley Star is rather new, three months to be exact which is why they’re running these low prices, so take advantage.