Steve's Auto Star Certified Smog check & Oil change

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Karina Salinas
2 weeks ago
My girlfriend went to get her smog , and he totally took advantage of her.Her Cadillac converter was rusted, and instead of just putting that, they were arusted in the system. He put that they did not work.Make it impossible for the vehicle to pass smog. Until we paid 1200 to someone to fix them. He also told her to bring the Cadillac converters back cause he'll get $10 a piece for each of them. Then we took it to a second place to get a second opinion, and they lettuce. Now that they do work. But he put on there that they didn't work. Making us have to go get new cadillac converters when the car didn't need them this man takes advantage of women. Please don't become a victim, report him

  Jaime Perez
a month ago
Charged me 35 just charge my battery, offered to change my alternator for 540 when every other place was around 390. My gramps used to come here, but now I see why he doesn't anymore.vwish they were better cuz I prefer small owned businesses like this, but Carillo auto repair did it for 380 and was fast and cool about it

  Kenny Paddock 360 MVP
a year ago
I've been going to Steve for years. At first he was rude, but whatever. Yes, he is a jokester. He's prompt. Don't be offended by him. He's a good guy. There might be other places to go to, but you can't beat the location. I just registered my van, and forgot to get the the smog. So, I roll over to Steve, get my papers, and return to the DMV to wrap up the process. I'm not offended by his character.

  sunshine
2 months ago
WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! Do not recommend anyone going here. They will lie to you in your face . The owner cussed me out very unprofessional!!!!! WILL NEVER GO HERE AGAIN! Place should be shut down !! Filling a claim with California Bureau.

  Ezequiel Racine
7 months ago
Failed my smog the first time due to transmission so I was like coo I ll fix it with my buddy I knew I would have to pay again to due a retake because I took it elsewhere to fix it and I was fine with it. I paid 50 again and everything passed but he told me can t pass it because you haven t driven 80,000miles and told me to drive it like he knew he wasn t going to pass me because of that he could ve told me drive it and come back to do a retake and this is when I told him I just changed the transmission next day I show up and he tells me it ll be and extra 30$ to do another retake so basically I paid 130$ for 2 retakes HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT LOST A CUSTOMERS AND 5 OTHER OF MY FRIENDS

  Paola Serrano
8 months ago
Called Steve s smog to get price info on smog for a 97 Lexus the man who answered the phone was extremely rude and unprofessionalHe yelled saying no no I won t do it your car is old! And just hung up! Whatttt weird, vehicle is fine works fine! There are older vehicles on the road, stay away from this place too many other options to support rude unprofessional people!Btw took to down the street and vehicle passed with no issues much kinder folksat saviers smog

  Gustavo Juarez
8 months ago
Horrible experience! As other reviews have pointed out, customer service is horrible. Upon arrival I was received by an old white bearded rude man (I assume is Steve). He insulted me over the condition of my car and spoke to me in a condescending manner. Save yourself time and the heartache and go somewhere else for your smog or auto care needs.

  Auntie L
3 months ago
I like that you can pay smog and registration at the same time here. Do bring cash.

  Stephen Breuning
3 months ago
Always an easy and quick spot to get ur smog done..

  Alexis Magana
11 months ago
Recently went to go get a smog check and the owner seemed rude at first but he s actually a really friendly guy/ jokester who helped me out really fast. I definitely recommend this place.Service: Smog certificationService: Smog certification

  jonathan Waldrop
3 years ago
I love these guys. I will never go anywhere else because of how great they treated my mom. My mother was very worried about the price of getting a oil change, smog check and registration for expired tags. The father seen my mother's distress and help her any way he could. My mom felt she was meant to go there and nowhere else. I read other people's comments and a couple people said the father was rude and aggressive. This is not true he just treats everyone like family if you don't have any since of humor than I could see why you'd be confused. I reccomend anyone to go there and continue to tell everyone about them. Great father and son team.Services: Month & year tag replacement, Smog certification, Registration renewal

  J P
2 years ago
Reasons I'll never go back to this place1- owner gets rude out of nothing2- smog with repair shop on site = Scammers for sure3-No 2nd free test at this placeGo to a smog shop with 2nd free test.4- If you want to get hard time and get scammed, this is the right place.My car passed smog at the first try,But the owner wanted to scam me saying that my car will need some part to be replaced.After arguing with this rude owner I got my certificate and no parts replaced.They just wanted to scam me.

  Neil Meschke
2 years ago
They were very quick with my service and inspection. I would go to them again, and recommend them to others needing brake and light inspections. They are one of the few places in Ventura county that I could find that can perform the brake and light inspections needed for salvage title Registration. Their staff was very friendly and simply explained any issues that needed to be resolved.

  Chris Behm
a year ago
These guys were fast and friendly. I took both of my cars there for smog certs and they got my in and out very quickly.

  Karen Asprer
3 years ago
I took my car here for a smog check cause it's right next to the DMV but I should've just went somewhere else or read the reviews first. the owner is rude, just like what the other comments are saying. As I was pulling up, I got close to the wall but it was an easy fix. He started making fun of how I got my driver's license and who gave it to me yadi yadi yadda. He directed me how to fix it but I got annoyed and just did how I'd normally fix myself. He talked to me in a very condescending manner like I was the worst driver in the world. He made such a big deal about a small error that was easily fixed. Also, the price is misleading, on their sign it says $39 for smog but I ended up paying $50. They also don't take credit cards as payment. They are cash basis only. Definitely not taking my business here again. Service: Smog certification

  Eugene Miller
a year ago
I'm here with my buddy Joey getting his truck smogged he's a 1999 POS on 94 my bad so far the smoke has only been like 30 minutes and since the guy does pretty good work cuz he's got a lot of business thank you we don't think it'll pass okay

  sara perez
a year ago
Steve is the Nicest and Honest mechanic I've ever had the priveledge of doing business with. His staff are also very wonderful, friendly, kind people. My daughter fell and smacked her face on the pavement there and they were so accomodating and even followed up with me. The atmosphere is so complimentary and his experience reputable. A+. Thanks SteveUPDATEIt's been a few years since I've been here and I was so pleased to be greeted by the staff. The gentleman recognized me right away and said "wow! We haven't seen you in years! Where have you been?" ..I appreciate that. That was very nice. And as far as all these bad reviews, I'd like to say, Steve is a hard working man and has a dominant personality. He is also generous. There is alot of people out there who trust Steve and are loyal to his business and just have yet to add a review. It's June 17th 2022, I just had a smog done on my car and I say Thank you everyone at Steve's Smog for your friendly, fast, and hospitable service. See ya next year!Service: Smog certification

  T Cabby (Nunya)
a year ago
Called to see if I needed my registration form to get the vehicle tested if my registration renewal requires it. The response I got from the business was: 1. If it s an old truck nobody wants to do it. 2. If you can t find registration forms don t come.This guy will never get my business, but at least he was up front about not wanting my business.

  Hector Hernandez
2 months ago
Horrible service , don t come here , there s a reason they do cash only

  B G
5 years ago
Steve is one of the most barbaric humans I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. You pull up and immediately get greeted by a loud-mouthed neanderthal spitting out rude comments about either you, your car, or other customers. The few times I have gone here was by my own stupidity thinking it would be different this time around, and I take fault in that. The only reason this place has been in business for so long is because they have prime real estate right next to the DMV.Do yourself a favor. You have to get in your car anyway so go down the street to the other smog shops literally less than a mile away like Saviers Smog or San Juan. You'll get treated like a paying customer and not like Steve's personal punching bag.

  Roger Addams
10 years ago
I had the memorable experience of getting a vehicle smog checked here. I just wanted my vehicle smog checked no repairs were needed. If the old guy who yells, screams, gets emotional, and just acts crazy is Steve then he needs to be locked up where he can do no harm. This man is nutz. The engine was hot. There was an electric fan trying to (oh, if it wasn't for his young assistant this would have been a disaster) keep the radiator cool the heater was on full to help keep the engine cool and Steve, the old crazy guy, revs the engine and holds it. He ran an older model 7.4 liter engine at RPM much higher that he should have and when I asked "What are you doing?" his response that he was warming up the engine. In the middle of the test he thinks he needs to warm up the engine. The smog test before this the engine got so hot a heater hose blew. This engine gets real hot. Steve just does what his demented mind comes up with, he yells, screams, he is a liar, and he is a cheat. I just wanted to get my vehicle smog checked. No hassle no problems without blowing the engine or any other problems. I knew the vehicle was running right because I took it to experts who made sure it was running right. And the final results were that my emissions came in well under average in every category. He doesn't listen at all. I told him I had two new gas caps. He tried to flunk me on a bad gas cap and went ballistic when I showed him two bran new ones. This man is dangerous. The only people who enjoy going here are people who enjoy abuse and insanity and want to get their pocket picked and be verbally and mentally abused. Steve must have paid someone to write that one good review or they didn't run into the old crazy guy. If you go here have a voice or video recorder you may need it for court.

  Caroline Brousseau
3 years ago
Unbelievable, I ve had such bad experiences with mechanics for the last 5 years . Someone was watching out for me the day I drove into Steve s automotive . Almost in tears , knowing I was about to get ripped off again. Long story short, I didn t get ripped off , I met totwo wonderful , knowledgeable mechanics , they kept my price down. I thank you so much . I don t want to forget about the girl in the office, thank you . An awesome team .

  Frank Moses
6 months ago
Great customer service, and quick. I would definitely recommend this shop.

  Ron Mongeau
3 years ago
Brought my 2008 car in to be smog tested It failed. They charged me $42.00 and they would not retry without charging another $52.00. Reason for failing-I had work done and the computer had not reset. I did not see any sign about no retesting. I got gouged and will never bring my vehicles in again. I went to Martins smog which is just down the street and he was very fair with me

  B Lok�
6 years ago
This place is great, don't listen to the two dummies giving bad review. If you notice, one bad reviewer says, "this place is horrible, make sure you check the price before you get service done"... Well obviously you should do that anywhere genius, then the next one says " been screwed by these guys multiple times"... By Chuck HAMM. Well if this were true, wouldn't you think you would stop going back after the first time you got screwed? If not then you deserved it.For real though I went to this place yesterday, the guy stayed open late for me, charged me 40 bucks for full smog, you won't find anywhere cheaper, and I was in and out in twenty minutes. The guy just doesn't seem to have patience for stupid people, hence the reason he has a couple bad reviews. I recommend this place to anyone really. He is honest and takes care of people, been there for something like almost 40 years, I'd say that says something in itself.

  janus bond.
5 years ago
When we inquired about repairs to pass smog using a state voucher for $500. The owner was rude. We sadly are homeless and would need to be in a hotel thats when he said he wouldn't take the car because he wouldn't be rushed. He wanted to keep the car for five days or as long as it took the state to pay him. I told him the situation and he said he didn't care. So that's telling me that even if repairs didn't cost the entire $500.00 he would still make sure he got that money, regardless of our situation.

  juan delgado
5 years ago
The vibe as soon as I seen the owner or the old man that runs the place was bad..... Terrible place!!!!! I pulled up and the guy very rudely ask what do u want he had me read a sign he had after I told him I needed smog. Than he said has anyone worked on your car? After I said I just got it he said I am not doing it didn t say why didn t bother to inform me why he wouldn t do it he simply said he won t do it and walked away!!! Terrible place!!!!! Don t know how they Got customers. If I could leave 0 stars I would!!!!

  Perryn Ivery
3 years ago
An absolute pleasure doing business here. Needed a smog check and was a bit unsure of the service based on some reviews here. But I could not have been treated any better if I were family. I wasn't there 15 minutes before everything was wrapped up. Having a auto repair/smog tech you can depend on is gold, and after 35+years of driving I would not take my car anywhere else!Service: Smog certification

  Diana Guzman (Diamond)
a year ago
Its good if U don't like to be in line at DMV and fast for your tags I also did my smog check there it was good man owner is nice and funny mad us laugh

  Sarah Reynolds
8 years ago
Rude and condescending owner. Took my car here for a smog test, it failed the test and the staff recommended I leave it there for diagnostic and repairs. I told them that I would bring it in later because my schedule wouldn't allow me to drop off the car. The owner threw a temper tantrum when I said that I couldn't leave it in that moment. Please don't take your car here, go to 5 Points Smog. They're great people and deserve your business.