THE SMOG SHOP

Reviews

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

  Jim Crosby
4 months ago
Went in for a light duty diesel emissions check. They were quick and efficient. I have used their service many times. They do a great job!

  Mohammad Ali
2 months ago
They don t know how to repair semi trucks they don t know my truck had no oil leaking they charge me fix oil leak after this guys fix oil leak truck always has oil leak

  Will Ellis
4 years ago
So far the process dealing with the smog shop has been a difficult one. While they have done a good job of collecting payment from my warranty company they have lacked in customer service, honest pricing, and responding in a timely manner. After a difficult diagnostic process for what was initially thought to be a fuel injector issue, the shop recommended an engine rebuild. When the repair jumped from a Fuel Injector to an total engine rebuild, I requested a second opinion from the dealership. The smog shop was kind enough to tow the car to the dealership but I received calls from the dealership for over a week asking when they would tow the car back. Once the car was back with V&L I tried reaching out to get information on the quote provided to begin the work but I was not able to get a clear answer or in some cases no answer at all. When I was eventually able to get a hold of someone they informed me that the quote was outdated and that the labor rate for the repair nearly doubled.As a customer it seems like the shop is taking advantage of the fact that I have an extended warranty and using that as an opportunity to inflate the prices and continuously increase the quote, making the amount I need to pay higher each time I reach out.I will update this review as the process goes on and hopefully it does get better.Update 1/24: The chop has been working with me to honor the original quote which is great!

  raybarri49ra
6 years ago
I was there eight hours for a one hour alignment. Had to buy a used tire on passenger side. It was flat within the hour. Plus the mother f ers stole my premium tire from the same side and put on a generic in its place. The crooks didn t even balance the tires, I only found this out after getting on the freeway and nearly wrecked. Plus they erased all my radio presets. These A holes will rip you off while smiling happily. I implore you not to go here.

  diana ramirez
4 years ago
I would like to spread the message that V and L auto shop located on 9th west and another location on Redwood road 8th south are not honest and did not repair my vehicle that they charged me for. the owner lied to me and tried to convince me I had a bad water pump. all I needed was a thermostat and I ended up fixing it myself. I hope none of my friends and family never go to either location. don't go there ever unless you want to get taken. HORRIBLE SERVICE.please share so everyone you know knows how bad the service is and do not send anyone there.

  H Nguyen
5 years ago
They will install parts from the junkyard and charge you full listed new price. It happened to all my family members. We didn't find out until months later when we take the car elsewhere for service on something else. Additionally they will plant something in your mind to make you come back and sound nice doing it, typically the following statement: Your brake pads and rotors are pretty worn out but its okay for now, but remember to take of them soon. At first I thought they are being honest, but when they mentioned it to every vehicles we brought in, including the one with new pads and rotors installed. That's when it hit me. Go somewhere else and don't trust these people. They're also overpriced. It's ok to do emission there but still be very careful about something else must be fixed to pass.

  lenny bruemmer
3 years ago
I was recommended to have rear brakes done for $60 labor, $48 pads 1 year warranty. I went in for rear brakes and check front breaks because front was making noise. They started paperwork for $90 labor and $80 breaks. They called and said front rotor had a grove and making the noise. Had 4 months of breaks left and would not change extra for labor. I was charged extra and it is still making noise.

  Tami Stephenson
8 months ago
They got me in pretty quick. They are nice people. Good customer service. Just a little bit of wait time.

  Freddie
6 years ago
My girlfriend went in because her car was having issues starting, and they told her the fuel injection was dirty, and charged her $140 to have it cleaned.Once it was done, they told her if that wasn't the problem, they'd look at it again for free.After the starter went out completely (leaving her stranded), the manager told her that the mechanic suspected something electrical all along, but didn't say anything. Moreover, a new diagnostic was a completely different the other one she'd already had, so she would be recharged if she brought it back. Additionally, they tried to convince her that the transmission is slipping, and she needed new transmission fluid immediately.She'd had it changed out a month and half before, and gets regular maintenance and checkups at the dealership...They told her it was perfectly fine.In short, don't go here--they're shady as a mofo. Don't trust the five star ratings on this sight; more than a few are by the people who work there...

  j bryant
8 years ago
There is a "Smog Shop" on Redwood Road in Glendale with impressive certifications posted everywhere and they seem to get a lot of business. You'd think this would engender trust. The only positive review I found for them on here a couple of years ago when my experience took place is gone now but looked completely faked to me. These people installed a new but defective strut in place of my damaged one and then vehemently refused to do another test drive when I insistently and persistently requested it, because; after paying $800 for absolutely nothing, I advised them correctly that the original problem still remained. They insisted that I just needed to pay them more money for other services that could not conceivably resolve these symptoms (tire rotation and balancing) and which were no priority until the original problem was actually fixed. I was later shocked to find they'd actually overfilled my engine oil by 2 whole quarts. I had been dismayed to watch them pouring and pouring it in that night after they had raced my car back drained dry from their other shop, having just finished other services. I had initially thought the other services sensible based on their bad advice, but they proved both unnecessary and completely useless. It can only be said now that this appears to have been done just so they could pad the bill.A trusted merchant not only discovered their mistake but in an awe inspiring act of unequaled kindness actually fixed it OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET!When I took the defective strut back to this dreadful "shop," after much ado about not being able to find the paperwork, the manager then (condescendingly and with glee) told me that she had found the invoice and had concluded there nothing wrong with it. She promptly called the owner and had him drive over just so he could personally insult me. He not only refused to offer any compensation for their huge mistake but actually refused to drop my car from the lift unless I either relinquished the faulty part (which was my property and physical evidence) OR UNTIL I PAYED THEM MORE MONEY to cover the cost of the part that they claimed I could not prove was mine. They then threatened to call the cops if I didn't leave when I tried to protest their theft of my property and engaging in unlawful detainment. (Presumably they just wanted to return the part for a refund to make this day's exchange and time spent somewhat profitable). I can only say that the owner of this detestable "shop" was, for lack of a better word, a decidedly unpleasant individual. I've rarely had such a distasteful experience, regret having met this person and resent being haunted by the memory of it forever.

  J.J. Goodwin
9 years ago
I am truly baffled that this business has a 4.2 rating. If these guys aren't crooked they are incredibly incompetent. I live very near to this shop so I have foolishly used there "services" twice. The first time they misdiagnosed an overheating problem, charged me $1,200 dollars, and the car overheated the next time I drove it. Turns out I am a better psychic than they are mechanic - I told them I thought it was the head gasket problem and they assured my it was not.... Recently, I needed a sensor installed and they called me with a laundry list of other issues...mainly that the coolant is leaking in "three places." -after not touching a thing my car has not leaked any fluid whatsoever - I took it to the dealership with the list of repairs they wanted to make - only one had any validity. Also, on a weird side-note, both times I took my car here the head mechanic had driven it to other locations when I went back to talk to them about the car the first time, and also when I went to pick it up the second time. Let me be clear - he was not testing the car, he was running "errands" and in the second case driving it to another mechanic that "knows these cars better".Do not, do not ever give these people your money or let them go shopping in your broken car.

  Adam Diener
4 years ago
Came in to get safety and inspection on my diesel truck. I was told it would be 15 minutes and actually took three hours. I watched three different people get their work done before mine even got started. And I was here first . The renewal stickers were locked in a box that they could not retrieve so the receptionist had to leave to go get them. I won t be back.

  sammie steele
5 years ago
Love working with Vu, the owner of this shop and the Smog shop! He's personable, doesn't try to nickle and dime you and gives you a REAL estimate! He's been very kind in his dealings with me and very fair! Thank you so much for providing a great service at a great price!! :)

  Dennis Woodruff
3 years ago
Really frustrated that the hood and front quarter panel they painted look terrible: pits in the paint and all rough. They attached the plastic flashing to the bottom of the bumper with zip ties! And the plastic cover above the front driver's side wheel was screwed to the quarter panel with self tapping screws and NOT the screws and clips that Ford used originally. The clips are there, it just seems someone was too lazy to actually do th job right. SMOG SHOP, if you respond and offer to fix this, I'll change the rating.

  Mattii Mackin
5 years ago
I been getting my emissions, oil changes, here for about three years now, one year my car needed ball joints, and a tune up. I am always happy with their work, especially Kimberly the office lady, she always takes time to in sure I no what my car needs.Thank you Smog Shop.

  Cindy Dozier
6 years ago
Great service, honest, fast, accurate on diagnosis & affordable prices. I have been going to V & L Auto for 12 years now and have not ever had any complaints and if issues do arise it is taken care of immediately without hassle. I refer all of my friends and family to V & L Auto and I would strongly recommend you give them a try too!!

  Lil Lar
6 years ago
This is the most dishonest place in the state. Total incompetence. He will rip you off. Charged me $800. to replace spark plugs and wires that were less than 1 year old. Charged me $950. for brakes that now leak.

  Malik MEZINE
6 years ago
Hey Guys, I came from France, I bought a GMC Acadia 3.6 liter, after 1 year my engine has dropped. Engine broke. I called this garage and after 30 minutes, they took my car and evaluated the damage. Mr Vu CAO and Matthew gave me a ton of advice to fix my car. They helped me to find a good engine at a good price. in a week, they fixed my car for cheaper and I very glad. Plus, before I had this problem, I needed to do the inspection and emission, they did a very good job for me to drive my car safety. This is a garage very simple, I appreciated it their labor and definitly I will bring my car everytime I need.I recommend this garage.Malik

  Mai Nguyen
9 years ago
had my lower control arms replaced on my jetta, took them all day. Picked the car up after 7 hours, drove it to sears downtown and the brake line pop, lost my brakes nearly rear ended the guy in front of me. I manged to pull over to check to see what was going on noticed the brake line was under the lower control arm and rubbing away untill it finally rubbed through. Scary service what kind of mechanic would run brake cables underneath the lower control arms. I was too scared to take it to them might loose my life if they worked on my car anymore so decided to do the job my self. I did leave them a message to see what they had to say never got a call back, not even an apology. THESE GUYS ARE SCARY BAD DONT TRUST THEIR WORK. NOT EVEN FIT TO BE BACK YARD MECHANICS.

  Eliza Pedersen
4 years ago
I got my emissions test done here. A little expensive ($35) but it was done fast. Also, I noticed they gave me the same recommendation as they had given to the customer before me, so I'm not sure if I trust it.

  Nico Koulurus
6 years ago
For prices and repair rates, this place is NOT a bargain. If you want to feel ripped off and angry every time you need your vehicle inspected, then take it to these guys, you'll wish that you had a colonoscopy without anesthesia instead.

  Dan Ellis
11 years ago
What a joke took a 96 ford bronco in for emissions and saftey inspection,Passed with emissions with flying colors had a tail light out They managed to strip a lug nut stud,then slam my hood down after triping the hold down latch, causing the hood to be stuck in between first and second latch. while trying to open my hood a very large expensive motorhome pulled in to complan about the oil pan plug they had stripped the threads on. Avoid this place at all costs in my opinion!! Stripped wheel lug and a jammed hood (fixed myself) just to get an emmisions and saftey.Just think of the repairs youll have to make if you allow them to actually try to repair somthing.Never again!!

  Chuck Bronstein
8 years ago
The receptionist is very friendly & smart. They did a good job getting me thru emissions & inspection. I forgot & left about $5 in change on the seat, & it was still there when I picked up the car!

  John Hatcher
5 years ago
I was very pleased with the job they did on my car. Suzie the clerk girl was very friendly and helpful. I will definitely go back and I will pass on your card to some of my family who is in meed. Thank you guys for the quick affeciante work

  Juan Pablo Fuentes
3 years ago
The worst shop Ever, very poor professionalism, wrong diagnosis for the problem, they changed parts not required, cost for that $6000 dollars, is absurd!... And plus $4000 more, because the truck fail 10 miles away from this shop. !... Absolutely waist time and money

  Mayaba Govina
11 years ago
This guy will bait-and-swicth you or charge you for services you never asked for, he did it to me today, and I had to call the police on him. As I was complaining some guys there said he does it all the time....He is racist too. I once heard him comparing a 75 size tire to 65 size tire as "a marriage between a chinese man and a black woman". He said "that is not good", and he continues saying getting 64 and 65 "is like a chinese man and a korean woman, "that is fine because they are almost the same". We definitely do not need this guy in our community. Take your car elsewhere.

  BlastedB1800 (Blasted)
7 years ago
I knew what was going with my transmission ,but instead was told it was going out by smell and transfer case was going out. Both were false and I just needed a transmission flush. Avoid this place for peace of mind and find better mechanics else .

  Aundreah H
9 years ago
I come in here every year for safety and emissions for 3 years now.they are great. They get me in and out fast and its nice that I can renew my plates right on the spot. Thanks V&L

  Ndungutse Kassim
5 years ago
scam scam scam stay away from this place, these people will charge money from your card without even your consent, i recently went there, i paid for everything, they gave me my car and the next day they took money out of my bank that did not authorize them to do. stay away from this place please.

  jeff packer
6 years ago
I had to have the the fluids flushed on my car there are very great to work with and they care about the needs of the customer it was a great experience they do great work at a reasonable price i will go there again i would recommend people to go there service is very good my car drives like new