Speedy Auto Repair & Smog

We had work done at Speedy a year or so a go and was very displeased in their work and and how they handled our complaints. I wanted to check their Unilocal reviews to see if they have improved. They have not. There are to many 1 Star reviews still. I would really reconsider bringing my car here for any repairs if I were you.

LOOK FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC… unless you like being ripped off. I had to learn the hard way. After spending over $ 1,000 to get several repairs, including a full set of new brakes, I discovered that my emergency brake had been broken by them. I returned the following morning and they said they would look at it. Before long they tell me that the damage wasn’t their fault, but they’d be glad to fix it for another $ 90 per hour plus the new part… which they had broken! I don’t think so. All they want is money, they don’t care about the customer, standing behind their work or being accountable for their mistakes. Maybe when they get a summons to appear in small claims court they’ll think twice about trying to stick it to their customers.

We stopped to get our tire plugged while getting an oil change. The guys were super nice and assisted us in less time than the oil change at the nearby jiffy lube.

DO NOT GO HERE!!! These are NOT good people! They’re scam artists and proud of it!
Incredibly disappointing to learn after 4 years of patronage and recommending several of my friends to go here for years, that they could care less about their clients and are willing to scam them at any point. They will try to charge you way over value of parts and labor in hopes that you don’t know any better, or have the internet.
I called them initially and said my power window motor is dead and wanted an estimate to replace it. I was told «it might just be off track» and that I should let them look at it first. Sounded good so I went after work to have it checked out. He asked me to sign the paperwork to look at the car. He never mentioned a fee, just «sign here». In fairness to them, I didn’t catch the $ 90 bs fee for taking off my door panel. I should have looked closer at what I was signing, but after going here for 4 years I was an idiot and trusted them to be reasonably fair people. BIG MISTAKE!!! I get a call less than an hour later with an outrageous price that magically dropped $ 50 when I said it was a crazy estimate. I came down to pick up my car after not wanting to pay 3x’s an acceptable price and the guy working the register smirked (a very Trump-​like smirk) and asked me «how would you like to pay today?». I asked how much, thinking it would be $ 50 at most for the 30 minutes it was there, and he smirked again and said $ 90! He was really happy about making me pay that for nothing, like oddly satisfied that he was stealing my money. A $ 90 charge to tell me what I told them first… my power window motor is broken. I know 100% that I should have looked closer at the fee, but I also know 100% that good customer service standards to long term customers involves some compassion. Not a single offer to reduce the fee for doing next to nothing for a very long standing customer. Just another smirk and «you should read what you sign»! Thanks so much for your advice.
If this is how they treat customers of 4 years, imagine how they’ll treat you as new customers!

I would not trust them. We had a bad experience. We brought our car to another mechanic to fix what they did wrong. All we asked for was the amount that Speedy Charged for the bad work. They said NO! I say don’t go!

I’ve been putting off my smog check, but registration is due next weekend, so I finally decided to get it done. This place is one of the few around that’s open on Sundays, so they got my business. Wound up being a waste of 60 bucks.
There were some positive things about my visit. I didn’t have to wait long, and the guy I spoke with was very likeable and explained everything. Unfortunately, what he didn’t explain was that my check engine light might result in my car automatically failing the smog check.
I understand that not all OBD errors will cause the car to fail, and they can’t know what the fault is until they test it. But, the proper thing to do is explain the possibility, and give me the opportunity to get the car fixed before they check it.
Instead, I paid sixty bucks for them to tell me to take my car to the mechanic. Pro-​tip: there’s a little light on my dashboard that tells me that for free. The cost for their diagnostic alone, before they actually fix the problem, is $ 120. So, even if they hadn’t proven themselves to be exploitative and dishonorable, their repair costs would be over priced.
Needless to say, I’m going to my regular mechanic tomorrow to get everything fixed for a fair price, then going to a smog station I can trust not to screw me. And Speedy isn’t getting another penny from me.

I’ve been here for both smog check and repairs, and have had great experiences with both. It’s a friendly, honest family business from what I’ve seen.
Smog check:
Standard, reasonable price, everything went smoothly. Came in with a check engine light on which we talked about before they worked on it. I said I knew what it was, they confirmed the problem (without my telling them what I knew), were able to turn the light off and finish/​pass the smog. They didn’t pressure me about fixing the light problem, just kindly gave me a quote if/​when I wanted to take care of it.
Repairs:
They are a little on the expensive side (though not completely unreasonable), but they do good work, make their recommendations, and never pressure to do the work. I have felt the difference in my car and seen improvement in gas mileage after getting work done there. As a woman, I have always felt respected there, never taken advantage of/​assumed to be ignorant. I especially appreciate the way they’re willing to take the time to explain the work they are doing and why. They are great about showing you broken parts, and answering questions clearly and thoroughly. At first, I double-​checked everything they said even though it all seem to make sense and be on the up and up. It always checked out, and I have since stopped double-​checking if things sound right, which they always
4 stars (rather than 5) only because the cost prevents me from doing a lot of my major work there. However, I’ve always gotten honesty, good work, and peace of mind here.

The service here was wonderful! I had to get my smog checked and was dreading it. They got me in and out in less than 30 minutes and the price was very reasonable. They also offer you a discount if you pay in cash. I would defiantly be coming back.

Called this afternoon to ask if they are Star Certified to Smog my vehicle the gentleman who answered the phone Dany said «yes» I told him I will arrive in 15 mins. There was no waiting they took my car right away. My vehicle was smogged in less than 20 min perhaps 17min wait. Dany was very friendly and pleasant and was sharing jokes with me. His father who also works there (family business) was also friendly and kind. Thank you for the fast affordable service today =) Tip: If you pay cash their is a discount — just ask.

This has to be the worst, most deceptive repair shop I ever encountered.
I have been around on the Earth for over 55 years and I have seen it all, or at least most of it. But this place, Oh my, Ripped me off for over $ 1000.00 and still have the problem. WOW, if you ever let a review change your mind from visiting a repair shop, let this review do that. One more thing; don’t go there, hello, did you hear me.
DO NOT GO TO THIS REPAIR SHOP, IF YOU DO, I’LL SEE YOU ON HERE SAYING THE SAME THING.

Pretty quick smok chek! The price also cheeper. It took only 25 min. The service is fabulous! They have a big parking spat next to the repair station!
I’m very happy thanks guys!

Came here after I decided against another smog check station aka a surly old dude with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a glorified garage. Danny is very friendly, cares about customers, and his price was extremely fair. The process was very quick and efficient. I will be back for my oil changes and any repairs, as it is right nearby where I work! :)

Dany and his father Raad have gone above and beyond when I recently came in for an oil change… They did a thorough inspection without asking or up-​charging for the inspection. They know their stuff and made recommendations based on my budget and how long I’m planning on owning my car. It’s common for mechanics to take advantage of females, but that’s not the case here. Plus, they’re never pushy! I definitely will be coming back for oil changes, smogs, and maintenance. Thanks Raad, Dany, and the rest of the guys at Speedy Auto Repair & Smog!

I found this place on Unilocal and I’m glad I did. Nice family business that I’ll recommend and go back to.

My life has changed enormously in the last few months. I got married, moved out of state, so my money was a bit tight leading up to all this. Imagine my crushing sense of defeat when my car starts acting all funny on me right before the big move. I’m in town alone, as my fella’ had already left town while I finished off a few things. And my stupid front end makes some weird thunky noises while at idle, I’m coming up on my oil change (but still had a few hundred miles) AND THEN as I am driving to work the stupid light turns on in a clearly desperate manner. I have all my fingers and toes crossed that it is just the oil change issue, but I am sure my beloved hunk of junk is going to give out on me at the worst possible time. I do some Unilocal research and take it to Speedy after work, which I am surprised to realize is located next to the Jiffy Lube that always tries to sell me unnecessary stuff, wish I’d known they existed sooner! Either way, I pace around the neighborhood, not really paying attention to much but my madcap hope that all will be ok.
I come back, and the face I see is not promising. All of those times I took my baby (Civic EX 2000) to those «Rhymes with Iffy Tube» type places it turns out they were rough on my oil pan bolt. He shows me the stripped thread bolt and I am sure I’m getting ripped off, as always happens to desperate only so car aware kinds of people. I mean, it seems stripped, but what do I know?
But he seems so soothing, and offers a solution. They’ll try to rethread it for me, which will save a ton of money. I’ll only have to pay the big bucks if they can’t get the threading right. He even offers to try and do it then, but they are supposed to be closing and I want time to research. I arrange trolley/​rides to work for the next day and do my research. It apparently is a common issue with my kind of car, especially when you go to those quick change places and have the amount of miles that I do. The solution they’ve proposed is a common one, the price they are charging is more than reasonable and I feel so much better.
Sure enough, when I come back the next day, it is all smiles. They gave me the worn out thread to keep, but they worked their magic. She is free and clear! Even better, I’d noticed that my milage had dropped since the last major repair I’d had done. After this repair, she is back up to her lovely ~30 mpg and the engine area sounds so much better. The engine light is gone, and she soldiers on!
Thank you Speedy for making a headache disappear with a whimper. And not minding that I was nervous about accepting a new shops recommendations without checking in. That shows amazing integrity and if I were still in town, I know where I’d be going!

Dany was super kind, helpful and was super ‘speedy’!
I found this place on accident due to my old place being closed.
I forgot my paperwork and it was no problem. Dany said it would take 20 minutes.
I checked in on Unilocal,received a $ 10 off coupon and was out the door in 20 minutes.
Painless!
If you pay in cash, there is a discount– it adds up to about tax.
I’ll go back there next year and I’ll refer friends.

2.5 stars. As far as their smog service goes, they’re pretty by the book. I ended up not smogging my car here because I have an aftermarket intake on my car. Unless I changed it back to my stock air box, he said that he’d fail me based on visual inspeaction alone.
Besides that, these guys offer a lot of coupons and try to give good customer service so that equals 2.5 stars in my book. I won’t be returning for my next smog and I do my own maintenance when I can, otherwise it’s off to the dealer for my ride.

Took my car in today. 08 Honda Accord. I arrived at about 12:05. The guy in the office, I assume the owner, was very friendly.
I asked for the «out the door» price for a smog. He asked what kind of car before answering, which shows he isn’t a bait and switch type of shop owner. He quotes me $ 45 OTD.
I agree, he says it will be about 20 – 30 minutes.
Since I was at lunch, I walked across the street to grab a bite. When I returned about 20 mins later, my car was done, waiting for me. I paid $ 45 just as I was quoted. Not $ 45 plus smog. Not $ 45 plus tax, not $ 45 plus gas cap.
People need to remember, If the state program says you need a new gas cap, it’s not the shops fault, it falls on the great voters of California who consistently vote for stupid new laws making it more restrictive and costly to maintain anything.
This shop was A+, thank you for the service.

What a pleasant experience! I needed to get my car smoged. On Wednesday I was in Miramar having lunch with a friend and I dropped off my car at a Star smog station. What a bad experience. (I will write a separate 1 star review on their site.)
I went to Speedy Auto Repair because they are a NAPA Auto Care Center — which does make a big difference. Car passed smog in 30 minutes and the owne Raad and his Son Dany could not have been more professional. I have just found my new station for all my upkeep and repair on my two vehicles. I highly recommend. Proceed with confidence!

I called and was quoted a great price for smog, and then they honored that price, and quickly! I was done in half an hour, on a Saturday! A special thanks to Sam, who does a great job of communicating; I especially appreciated his keeping everyone posted on how long things would take. This is a special and very appreciated courtesy… who one likes to sit around a car repair facility?
I’ll definitely return next time I have to get a smog check, and I’d recommend to friends and family :)

Danny was great and a virtual cornucopia of information.
Great service — In and Out in fifteen
minutes.

Had gone to a different smog place on a Sunday only to realize they were closed. Google directed me to this place which was nearby.
The man at the front desk was very pleasant, the price very reasonable (over 20 dollars more at 2 other places I had called), and the service was FAST.
Why only 3 stars? As I was getting ready to pay they told me I needed a new timing belt. Believe it or not– despite being a chic– I know what a timing belt is… they are expensive number 1, and essential to have in working order number 2. HOWEVER, currently my SUV has 106,800 miles on it… and guess what… the timing belt was indeed replaced at 90,000miles. I find it HIGHLY HIGHLY unlikely that it needs to be replaced again already.
Getting a second opinion today… the number of stars may plummet from 3 to 1 if the belt is fine.
Don’t get me wrong they did a great job on the smog… but honesty is paramount and if the «you need a new timing belt» ends up being a load of bull… that will be the end of any future relationship with Speedy Auto Repair & Smog. Stay tuned…
6pm 1÷14÷14 Update–
Spoke to Lexus service in Albuquerque. The timing belt WAS INDEED replaced at 91,000 miles. There is no current need for it to be replaced. Thank God for record keeping and knowing a little bit about cars. Lexus service in SD agrees, the belt does not need to be replaced.
For a smog I recommend them… anything else they say… get a second opinion.

Took my 2007 RAV4 here for a smog check. It wasn’t super busy (I came in on a Tuesday morning before lunch hour) and I was serviced immediately and they took my car back right away.
Once I checked in on Unilocal,I received a $ 10 OFF coupon for my smog, so it only costed me $ 30 bucks. Not too shabby.
On top of doing my smog check in under an hour, they also offer DMV Registration services so I was able to skip the waiting game and get my 2014 sticker on the spot.
Note: No smog is needed for this service — do yourself a favor and come here! (There is an additional $ 25 cost to do it outside of the DMV, but if you have the cash it’s worth it.)
I will be back next year, Quick labor, good customer service, and no hassle.

The staff is very friendly, they do good work, and they have very reasonable prices.
My low tire pressure indicator light on my 2010 Honda Fit went off yesterday. When I got off at 5:30p.m. today, every place was closed. I googled some places in my phone and called Speedy. When I called, it was 6:12p.m., but I asked what time they were open until. Dany said 6p.m. I said, ok, thanks, but he said, it’s okay. What’s going on? I told him and he invited me to the shop to take a look. Fantastic service, letting me come by even after the shop was closed.
When I got there, Dany took a look and found a big fat nail in my back tire. He said it could not be repaired, only replaced. The inspection was FREE. He looked, but could not find a tire in the shop, so they ordered one and told me to come by tomorrow to have it put on. Total cost: $ 89.00 (with labor and tax). That’s a terrific price.
I’ve had the work on my car done at the Honda dealership thus far because I couldn’t find a mechanic I trusted. I always feel nickel and dimed. When my front tire exploded two years ago, my trip to Honda was almost $ 250.00. I’ve also had work done at Sears, and this is cheaper. I won’t be going back to Honda or Sears again. My quote for an oil change was $ 24.00. My quote to change my filter was $ 14.98 because I wouldn’t be charged for labor.
I was so happy with my experience that I came back and wrote a review immediately. I was surprised to see that they were rated so low on Unilocal,but then again, most of the bad reviews are for smog checks. I don’t know anything about that. My experience was fantastic, and they will have a repeat customer in me. Yay for small business!