Santa Ana Test Only & Smog Check

I’ve been coming here for the last 4 years since both of my cars are now required the smog tests and I have never been there for more than 20 minutes. One of my cars did not pass the test last weekend but it was only the air filter that needed to get replaced (duh! on us). Dany replaced it for us and even though it was a busy Saturday morning it took about 45 minutes only because they needed to deliver the filter. I returned today for the retest and only paid $ 10 (thankfully my car passed this time). I went during my lunch break and was in and out within 15 minutes! Great job guys!

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE customer service!!! I am new in town and needed to get a smog test done for my car. I stopped by this place & met with Mike yesterday. He quoted me $ 30 for my 2014 Acura ILX. I was shocked w/​the price because in Las Vegas, I only paid $ 12.95 or less every year for a smog test. It was noon and I spent a long morning at the DMV prior to stopping by, so I left. I came back this morning to get it done.
I parked in a parking spot. As I was walking to his shop & didn’t find him, a customer who pulled right in front of the shop told me he was next door. I found MIKE, the same guy I met yesterday.
I was fine with a $ 30 smog check. He asked for my car key. I didn’t know he had to pull my car into the shop. Again, in Las Vegas, I just drove up in the front and the machine was hooked in my car for the test, and then I drove off in less than 5 mins. It is different here, I guess!
Nevertheless, I expected a good customer service of which MIKE was TERRIBLE TERRIBLE at it. He argued with me, stated I didn’t trust him, that he gave me the best price in town, blahh blahh. Additionally, he acussed me that I cut the other customer off. yahh dahhh yahh dahhh in front of the other customer who later told me that Mike was his close friend.
The other customer who seemed that he would have done a better job than MIKE agreed that MIKE gave terrible customer service. I can’t deal with this type of customer service so, I left!
I am now at 1505 S. GRAND doing my smog test for the same price MIKE offered. I was right, wasn’t I? If you could give me a $ 30 smog check, I am sure plenty of others would be willing to match your price.
Two main components of a successful business is GOOD PRICE & GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I am willing to walk away if I get terrible customer service, whether it is a $ 5, $ 10, or $ 30 smog check. It is about earning a customer’s business.
I do not recommend this place if you want a good customer service with a good attitude. I’m sure I won’t be back, because 1505 S. GRAND has earned my business while MIKE failed to do so.
— — –
Two hours later, the shop owner, Danny, sent me a PRIVATE message telling me not to hold grudge against his tech and others (A snapshot of his message is posted). The review was based on my experience. When I stopped by, Mike was listening to music with his hood and a headphone over his head. The other customer, Will (as Danny indicated in his message), is a close friend of MIKE. Go figure! It all comes down to good customer service. You can explain without being rude, and that was not the case. Mike had a hot temper with a terrible voice tone right in front of WILL. What does that tell you?!
The bottom line is the type of services this shop offers, I am not interested. If you are used to having bad customer services, come here because you wouldn’t know the difference.
Go down the road at 1505 S. GRAND, and you will notice the difference. The waiting area is nice over there also.
By the way 1501 and 1502 (2 stations across from each other are at 2 gas stations) are both owned by DANNY T.

Excellent!!! Polite and quick! They even take appointments. I and out in less than 20 minutes!

Fast and friendly. found this place on Unilocal.Place was busy and he took care of me in less than 20 min with 3 cars ahead of me !! I will definitely be back for a smog check here when needed !

Great place to get a smog check. Super quick and barely any wait. There was a smog check place across the street that has a lot more reviews on Unilocal,but this place took them over. Still great service, very friendly and great price.

I was there for less than 30 mins to get a smog check. There was a car ahead of me but the test was quick. FYI you have to be checked in to Unilocal to get the discount. Good experience, quick professional service would recommend to others.

only place i take all my cars too. Quick and easy out in less than 10mins. Workers always cool. Thanks guys

We’re new to the Santa Ana area and after looking through Unilocal,I picked this place. From the moment we arrived, Mike was friendly and helpful. After expressing our concerns my POS car wasn’t going to pass and that we weren’t willing to dump more money into it for repairs, he informed us about a gov’t program that pays you to retire cars (Google CA Board of Automotive Repair if you’re interested). He reviewed the application with us, printed it out, and then gave us an envelope to mail it in! Mike wasn’t only interested in our business, but also in helping us make the best decision for ourselves. We will definitely be going back for our other cars. Thanks, Mike!

Best place to get your car smog taken care of in The area. Quick, courteous, affordable service. I have been coming here for years and will continue to bring my cars here for smog tests. The well ventilated shaded waiting area was a plus on warm day like today.

Really Good service. I saw reviews in Unilocal and luckily for me its near my work. Got in and got out in 10 minutes. The person who did the smog was also courteous.

What else can I say that hasn’t been said?
Jerry is the man! Professional service, full transparency, on time performance, and great rates.
The only drawback to constant great reviews, is that this shop no longer remains a secret, and that may create some competition for availability next time I need some work done on my car!
— Steve

Normally go across the street but their machine was down. Took care of the smog check with flying colors. Only issue was their printer was not working properly and they couldn’t print out the certificate. I just took a picture of it from the computer screen for my records instead. Thanks again.

GREAT SMOG SERVICE! Ask for Mike. I had two of our family cars smog tested in separate times. Great, friendly and fast service everytime. Thank you Mike!
Ernest B.
(Aka Butch)

Getting your car smogged only happens once in 2 years, with that in mind, I’ve taken a few cars to this shop in the last year. The smog station is at the Shell station on the northeast corner. Danny is the technician and is very accommodating, efficient and professional. Fast and cheap, what more can you ask for?

I initially drove to the Shell station across the street and saw a sign saying to come across the street to this location because the lift was broken (was told it is the same owner).
There was no line (came in just after they opened) and I was in and out in under 10 minutes! The gentleman who helped me out gave me an initial estimate of $ 40 for the smog test (didn’t have to mention the Unilocal discount).
I barely had time to sit down in the waiting area before I was given my receipts and told that the paperwork was already electronically submitted to the DMV. I double-​checked that the Unilocal discount was written into the price (it was) before I was on my way again! Definitely plan to go back when smog test time comes up again.

Good price, fast, and polite!

Son’s old car 1996 model needed a Star smog check for renewal. Wasn’t sure if it would pass. And didn’t want to spend too much money or time. Saw the Unilocal reviews and took a chance.
Got lost. Called. Michael told me behind the 76 gas station. He was waiting for me, on Saturday 9 am.
Got right in. Passed in 10 minutes. Mentioned Unilocal referred, $ 40 cash.
Good attitude and service. Will bring other car in future, and tell my friends.

Mike is honest and has great customer service. ! In and out in 10 minutes and affordable. This is the second vehicle I have take here. Would recommend this place to others in Orange County

I normally go across the street to get my car smogged by ACE, but their machine was down so I came over here. It was a saturday and quite busy (probably due to the overflow from ACE being down), but I only had to wait about 20 minutes or so.
After my car was pulled into the garage it wasnt there long before it was backed out. The tech said he could not pass me because I have an aftermarket air intake. In the state of CA that is a false statement depending on which air intake you have. Mine is a short ram intake and most importantly is CA CARB approved menaing it is not illegal and qualifies for smog. Unfortunately the tech did not disclose anything other than he could not pass me due to my intake. I knew this was bogus and took off upset (especially since he charged me already) and cotemplated having to swap my stock intake back in (even though I have been running my after market intake for 10 years) or go somewhere else.
I came back on monday to retrieve my DMV papwerowk so I could go somewhere else. A different tech was there and I explained the problem. He looked up the info on my intake and said there was no problem and that the previous tech must have misread the CARB lablel (in their defense it was a little tough to make out). He got me in and out on my lunch and that was that.
So after a little mix up I feel I was taken care of and no hurt feelings. Only gave 4 stars because of the lack of communication up front, but I would recommend coming here.

I got here at 9am on Saturday and before I could step into the office, I was greeted by the mechanic with a smile and that he would be right with me, with an added sir. Im definitely not a sir as it makes me feel old, but I understand politeness and thats just good customer service.
There were 2 cars in front of me so my heart sank a little bit but guess what, I was out the door at 9:30am. The mechanic told me he didnt like crowds of people waiting while he worked which propelled him to work swiftly and still put a smile on his face. Dont know about previous reviews about the wait… must’ve just been an off day or something.
This is probably going to be my Smog place from now on. Thanks!