Smog Diagnostic Specialists

*** ***'s *** Jetta failed for visible smoke test portion of the test which is tested by snapping the throttle and seeing how much exhaust smoke if any comes from exhaust pipe, there was excessive smoke coming from the car's exhaust pipe of ***'s car. The gentleman that brought
the car in for the inspection was watching the inspection on the car and commented that the car never smoked like that before (he saw the excessive amount of smoke)The vehicle also failed for an air intake tube not completely connected and missing a retaining clampVehicle passed at another location and the gentleman came back into the shop and demanded his money back and accused the smog technician of being racist (not that this even matters)The bureau of automotive repair did get involved and the B.A.Rrepresentative said that it did smoke but after three snaps the smoke did go away, but was passed for the smoke and failed for a modified catalytic convertorIn closing the car should have not been certifiedWe at Smog Diagnostics are fair in our business transactions all tests are conducted according to the state of California's standards. Thank You *** ***

Review: Smog Diagnostic Specialists located @ [redacted],are crooks they will failed my car on a visual inspection while telling me, I needed a diagnostic for $85 and a re-test for $35. I paid the $49 for the initial smog and refused their fake offer. After I left their phony smog inspection, within the same hour I took my car to Northgate Smog and passed. beware of these crooks...I've also filed a complaint with the bureau of Automotive Repair, their investigation has determined my complaint was valid. Smog Diagnostic Specialists has refused to refund my money, so I will now file a small claim against this company.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund as well as my time off work for the Inspection time of my vehicle, and incurred court cost.

Business

Response:

[redacted]'s [redacted] Jetta failed for visible smoke test portion of the test which is tested by snapping the throttle and seeing how much exhaust smoke if any comes from exhaust pipe, there was excessive smoke coming from the car's exhaust pipe of [redacted]'s car. The gentleman that brought the car in for the inspection was watching the inspection on the car and commented that the car never smoked like that before (he saw the excessive amount of smoke). The vehicle also failed for an air intake tube not completely connected and missing a retaining clamp. Vehicle passed at another location and the gentleman came back into the shop and demanded his money back and accused the smog technician of being racist (not that this even matters). The bureau of automotive repair did get involved and the B.A.R. representative said that it did smoke but after three snaps the smoke did go away, but was passed for the smoke and failed for a modified catalytic convertor. In closing the car should have not been certified. We at Smog Diagnostics are fair in our business transactions all tests are conducted according to the state of California's standards. Thank You [redacted]

So it's smog time for my car, and I look on the dash and see that my check engine light is on. Luckily I see a coupon in the local penny saver that's for a free check engine light diagnostic, with repair A $90 dollar value.

This coupon led me to Smog Diagnostic Specialists. I called them and the guy on the phone told me that they could get my car in that afternoon. I'm thinking, this is great I'm going to get my car fixed.

I dropped my car off and told the tech that there was a check engine light on, and that it was emissions related, most likely a vacuum hose, but it could be the o2 sensor. They called me a couple hours later and wanted to replace a vacuum hose, an o2 sensor, and my oil dipstick. The total for this estimate was almost $500.

They were charging $220 for an o2 sensor, and I guess labor is quite expensive to unplug the old one and plug in the new one. They also wanted to replace the oil dipstick because the one I had was broken. I denied the o2 sensor, since I have seen them online for sale for $27.50. Even if the one on ebay is not an OEM part, I figure I could buy like 10 of them for what they wanted to charge me for one. I know that when you buy parts from the autoparts store they cost more, but 10 times more. That seems excessive.

I decided to get the vacuum hose, and the dipstick fixed. I stated that I had a coupon for a free diagnostic with repair and that since I had decided to get a repair that then the diagnostic should be free. He said that since I did not agree to all of the repairs, that the coupon was not able to be used. The coupon said Free Diagnostic with repair. It didn't have a minimum amount, It didn't say, with all recommended repairs, it just said see store for details, which I guess in legal speak gets them out of ever accepting this coupon. So instead of costing me around 100 dollars to repair a vacuum hose and install a dipstick, it was closer to 200.

Here's the kicker: To remove and replace an oil dipstick, it cost me $26.92 in labor. This is a job that probably took 30 seconds or less, and somehow cost me $26.92. Let's say it took them twice as long as it takes me to remove the dipstick and replace it. Call it a whole minute. That would be 60 minutes x $26.92 per minute for a total of $1,615 dollars an hour. Not sure how I just paid 1600 dollars an hour for a mechanic. But that's what happened.

Needless to say. I won't be back.

UPDATE: I have now driven the car more than 2000 miles, the check engine light is still off. It has been over a month since I took my car here. I even passed smog at a different shop with no problem. So, my vehicle did not need the O2 sensor they tried to sell me. Car drives fine, and I have not seen the check engine light come on at all. This seems like a scenario where I learned a 200 dollar lesson, instead of learning a 500 dollar lesson. Just thought I needed to update here so, people can save themselves the time and money that it costs to deal with these guys.

TL:DR

The shop tried to charge me for an unnecessary O2 sensor, quoted a price that was close to ten times what the part can be bought for, charged me the equivalent of $1,615 dollars an hour labor to replace an oil dipstick and wouldn't honor my coupon. These are not the mechanics you're looking for.