High Tech Auto

Well after looking for a smog shop here in SM i was recommended here by my mother. She explained to me that its a very fast, affordable, and the customer service is spectacular! Well say no more i had to try this place and everything that i was expecting was true! The Lady in the front desk spoke Spanish and English which helps if you are not bilingual! The Tech that smoged my truck was quick and very friendly. Made me feel very welcomed and the prices were at a steal for me compared to other shops i called. by far the best smog station I’ve ever been to go see for yourself, i mean its not just me saying this. its everyone! Wish i could of got the names of the employees, but hope you guys keep giving the great customer service! THANK YOU!

I have been to High Tech a few times over the years. Even stopped in without an appointment and they got me out in a reasonable amount of time. Everyone there is polite and the business is clean. Great place to get my smog done.

Most HONEST auto shop I ever went to. Restroom and lobby area is cleaner than some of the restaurants I’ve been to. Very nice and courteous people. My Ford F350 diesel truck had broken dip stick which would’ve been automatic smog fail. Instead of failing it and charging me they asked me to get it replaced and come back (knowing that I may not come back). And I did go back. I appreciate the honesty and will take ALL my cars and trucks to High Tech Auto and HIGHLY recommend these guys to anyone.

I had to find another smog test center because my normal place is closed due to vacation for the entire month. I have an older vehicle which requires a Star Test Center and High Tech Auto was suggested as a Star Test Center. I’m so glad I went to High Tech Auto! The technicians are very professional and thorough. The woman in the front office is very sweet. She even offered me coffee or bottled water and candy while I waited. I have two vehicles and I’ll be coming back for my other car and future testing needs! I forgot to add they also checked and adjusted my tire pressure — for free! Nice touch.
Thanks High Tech Auto!

These guys are awesome!!!
Had so many problems trying to get my 2001 Xterra to pass smog!
Matt & Tom went over and above to help me out.
Finally passed with a few adjustments to emissions (Which I did myself)
I cannot thank these guys enough.
If I could give 10 Stars I would.
Sincerely,
Martin Scharing

Great customer service, very nice techs and the lady running the front office is very sweet. Was offered candy and coffee! What?! This place is the best… Don’t go anywhere else. AND they gave me a discount!

I have been coming here for my smog checks… Toyotas, Nissan, Hondas, Subarus and my parent’s Lexus… for the last 10 years. Always great service!!! I’m glad they’re here.

Tom and the crew were fantastic. They made getting our car smogged quick and affordable. One of the most painless auto experiences I have ever had. Thanks guys and thanks Clyde at Ohana auto for recommending them.

They play by the rules but they know their stuff

Writing a good review on the same day I went in to get a smog check within the same hour it was done? Unheard of!
I called earlier this morning to ask how much a smog check was and if I could make an appointment. The man on the phone (sorry, I cannot remember names) set up my appointment for 12:00pm. I came in at 12:00pm and I was out the door by 12:09pm. AMAZING! I came in expecting 15 – 20 minutes and I am beyond thrilled with the small amount of time it took to smog my car. Granted, they only had one car ahead of me, but regardless, I’ve been to other smog shops with one or two cars ahead of me and have waited close to an hour!
On top of the exemplary lack of wait time, every single employee was super kind, accommodating and knew their stuff. I was asked to fill out a form by the male with blue eyes who seemed to be in charge of the front desk and answering the phone. The form seems to offer a $ 10 discount for military, students, etc. An elderly woman came out and offered me coffee or water, and we had a nice conversation about the upcoming holidays. I’m assuming this business may be family owned? It sure seems like it. The tech himself was super fast, efficient, and beyond polite.
The office itself reminded me of the inside of a home. Holiday decorations EVERYWHERE! I didn’t mind it one bit, it felt much more comfortable then a sterile car shop environment.
Thank you High Tech Auto for providing such a 5 star service in every aspect possible! Highly highly recommend this place.

There’s not much to say, except I love this place and the people who work there. Super friendly, attentive, and the work is done quickly and at a great price. My first time there I felt a little out of place — those of you who’ve been there know what I mean — but then I realized that they are probably THE most genuine people I’ve ever met. I’m not kidding.
Do yourself a favor. Next time you need a smog, go see them. You’ll be really glad you did.

Wowzers! Who knew that a smog place could be like this?
Instant service, the smog check only took about 10 – 15 minutes, and I didn’t actually have an appointment.
Cutest older woman working there. I forget her name, it started with an M. (Margaret? Marjorie?) I just wanted to give her a hug. She offered coffee, water, and snacks as I sat down. Very nice of them to provide considering their services do not take very long.
They have the most awesome, random holiday décor that I’m pretty sure stays up year round. Some may find it odd but I found it fun, homey, and quite comfortable. :)
Good news is I passed the smog test. Thanks Aaron and your partner in crime out in the smog shop! (I unfortunately didn’t catch his name)
Bad news is I won’t need to go back until I need another smog check in a few years.
Thanks for your help today! :)
Ps. For those thinking of going there, on the form I filled out when I got there I saw that they give discounts to military, firefighters, San Marcos business owners and their employees, and others.

They were very busy yesterday, but fit me in between appointments. I really appreciated it since two other places said they couldn’t get to me. I needed my car smoged that day for dmv registration.
They were very professional and extremely friendly. They are also experts (they teach other people on how to smog cars.) The women who worked with us at AAA recommended them.
I will be back next year for my other cars smog test!

Amazing. Fantastic. Friendly. Fast. The list can go on & on.
I was at the temp dmv down the street & searched for a smog station, this place popped up & with the great reviews, I drove over. Walked in the office & knew I made a great decision right away. Talk ab really nice people. No joke, I spoke with 5 different people & ALL of them were happy go lucky. & I mean the real happy– not that fake smile that’s annoying within 2 seconds.
When I was told the smog would only take 20 minutes, I handed over my key. The wait didn’t feel like 20 minutes. Maybe bc it was faster, or maybe bc the office is nice & that dying itch to leave wasn’t there– which ever it was, I was still happy at the end.
I will definitely be recommending this place to everyone & I will definitely be back when need be.
Thank you all for making a boring errand that much easier! You guys are great (:

Coming from somebody in the automotive business, this place understands service done right. I have been referring my customers to Tom for years for their smog needs including taking my own cars to him.
I know smuggling a car in California with all of this lovely satiate emission laws can be overwhelming, but these people make sure it’s done right, legally, and in a timely manner.
Price wise, I think they are competitive with any other smog shop. Beware of the cheaper places, I notice some of them will «test» your car knowing it will fail, charge you, then offer a discounted retest. It’s what we call «double dip». Don’t fall for it! Take it where it will be done right the first time.

After much procrastination, I finally decided to get my Smog Check on. If it weren’t for the constant reminder of DMV Notifications, I would never get it done.
I did not have an appointment, and High Tech Auto did not give me that attitude that sometimes results from a busy shop taking calls from people without an appointment. People like me on this occasion.
I dropped off my truck, and less than an hour later, they called to let me know everything was done, Smog Check Test Results transmitted to the DMV, and ready to roll.
The Older Lady in the Office there was extremely pleasant, as were the employees. It was a great experience. One of those experiences that make you wish you had more business to do with them than a Bi-​Annual Smog Check.
I highly recommend this team.

I am a big Fan of this Place. I went for the first time on Tuesday around 12pm with an appointment and I was treated very nice. They even asked if the temp. was alright for me. while i was filling out paper work for the car they offered me Water and candy. The smog check took about less than 20 minutes. AND they gave me a 10 dollar discount. I only had to pay $ 40 INcluding the certificate! I would recommend this place to all my friends and Family. Thank you High tech Auto!

Was referred here by AAA, got a $ 10 discount too.
They do testing only for smog. If you make an appointment it’s very quick. Office staff were very nice offering water, coffee, and candy.
I will recommend this location to all.

Funny music for all these guys to listen to. Too much awkward office drama leaking into my ears. Creepy stares from the guy behind the computer. Felt unwelcome by everyone except the sweet middle aged lady.

I have been going there since 2007 and have never had a problem, unfortunately on 7÷13÷11 I had a terrible experience. The day before 7÷12÷11 I went in during my lunch and scheduled an appointment for the next day. The older lady was very sweet and pleasant, she even gave me extra business card for me to give to my coworkers which I did. On my appointment date as they verified my appointment the employee Tom stated how busy they were and seemed unhappy at the added work to his day. The front desk employee smiled and said they would gladly take care of me.
After waiting 30min, Tom told me he could not continue the smog test because of my very common after-​market air-​filter. I explained how the part is very common because it increases your miles to gas ratio and how it had not been an issue the previous two times I had given them my business. Tom proceeded to check the air-​filter on-​line but typed in the wrong motor size, I pointed out the mistake but it did not matter. Since I only live five minutes away I went home to get the 50-​state legal slip that came with the air-​filter.
Once I arrived back at High Tech Auto Tom did not look thrilled and went back on-​line to verify the slip, once he realized that it was legal he told me he could not complete my smog-​check because he was now working on a new vehicle and walked off. The other technician did not know what to do and redirected me to Tom once again. At this moment he said my vehicle was leaking, I laughed and told him the air conditioner was on, Tom once again stated he could not help me and if the other tech wanted he could complete the smog-​test.
I asked Tom what the consensus was, because he was acting like a dip-​stick since I had come in which was about an hour ago. Tom said he would not complete the test and stated he should have failed and kicked me out since the beginning. I was shocked because he was only looking for an excuse not to help me since the beginning, even after having an appointment and proving the air-​filter was 50-​states legal. There are tons of smog-​test stations in San Marcos that will appreciate customers, therefore I asked for my keys back and left.
From now on I will discourage my friends and family from going there, by telling them how I was treated. Furthermore, when I go back to work I am going to ask for the business cards I gave out and toss them into the trash can and inform my co-​workers how HIGH TECH AUTO IS NOT SO GREAT AFTER ALL. It is unfortunate for them to loss my business, because I am a San Marcos resident who would have probably continued to go there if Tom would have shown me respect and courtesy!
In addition The office staff had excellent customer service particularly the older lady who was very sweet!