Davis Smog

Poor customer service! — I will not be back to check my car at Davis Smog. I forgot to turn in «$ 20 OFF» coupon when I paid for the service and when I came back 5 min later, the attendant asked me to step outside of the office (where 2 other customers have been waiting) and told me quietly (so that the other customers would not hear it) that I should have given her the coupon before paying for the service. Why offer coupons then in a first place if you are not flexible enough to honor them 5 min later? I should have checked the other reviews on Unilocal before going taking my car to Davis Smog. I overpaid $ 20, but Davis Smog lost future customer.

Avoid taking your car here for a smog check at all costs. I had such an awful experience that it prompted me to write my first Unilocal review.
Even though my car passed the functional smog test, the technician, Hugo, would not approve the visual inspection because my catalytic converter was replaced in 2009. The serial numbers on the converter are difficult to read or not visible, so every technician I’ve seen since 2009 has indicated that the converter numbers are «N/​A». This terminology has been satisfactory to the state of California for the past FOUR smog tests I’ve passed since 2009. One satisfactory test was even performed at Davis Smog a couple of years ago!
I explained this situation to Hugo and the front desk clerk, indicating that the state of California has never had a problem with this situation before. I gave documentation for each smog test that I’ve passed since 2009. I haven’t made any changes to my catalytic converter, thus this should not be an issue. My defense fell on dead ears. I just paid $ 67 for a service that never should have been performed were these folks honest enough to take a quick look at my car, voice the concern to me over the serial number issue, and not run the entire smog check that is null and void anyway. There was no budging on their part when asked to issue a refund.
I will now have to pay ANOTHER ~$ 70 to a new smog check station that understands that the state of California has no problem with my catalytic converter numbers not being indicated on the form. The technician tried to say that it was necessary to the state to have these numbers indicated, but many past years of my experience (and physical documentation) argue differently. This is especially inane when considering that my vehicle passed all other aspects of the smog test.
Don’t go to Davis Smog unless you are completely prepared to waste hours of your day and be out a lot of money. I can’t begin to tell you how much this experience ruined my day.

Horrible customer service.
Great for you, being the only place in Davis open on Sundays. I went to SpeeDee, next door, who apparently do not do Smog on Sundays. They said take it next door to Davis Smog. I went over and asked the owner if he would honor the SpeeDee coupon, to which he replied «no.» Fine, even though most places will do that.
I went home and found the Coupon in The Little Green Coupon Machine, for Davis Smog. Went back to go get my smog done with HIS coupon. Pulled up to the driveway, and there was one car inside the garage being worked on. I’ll remind you this is a Test Only Station, which means they don’t do other car repairs, so the car in the garage was in for smog, too.
The man emerged from the garage and approached me, saying he doesn’t have time for me today, come back tomorrow. I said «it’s 10:45 a.m., there’s only one car in front of me, and you don’t close until 3:00 p.m.» He replied «I have other people coming, you come back tomorrow.» I told him «you know this means I’m never coming back,» to which he replied, «well, you never came here before, so it doesn’t really matter.»
Well, here I am, making it matter, so other people don’t patronize your sorry operation.

This place is horrible. My car did not pass the first time, so they told me to go drive it around. I came back for a retest and he said it was past my time limit for a re-​test. Total rip off. He was the owner and wouldn’t make an exception. The employee’s are rude.

I received a Davis Smog $ 20 discount coupon in the mail for a smog test. I took their coupon to their shop for the smog test. The person behind the counter said the coupon wasn’t any good. He said it was too old. I pointed out to him there wasn’t any expiration date on the coupon. He said the coupon was too old and it wasn’t any good for vehicles made before 1996. I pointed out that the coupon didn’t have any conditions about the vehicle’s age. Again he said the coupon wasn’t any good and it was against their policy to take old coupons. After several minutes of trying to get him to honor their coupon I gave up, in part because his english wasn’t any good and because of his apathetic attitude.
This was a perfect example of false advertising. If you need a smog test, go elsewhere.

Ben, the technician who performed the smog test, was awesome! He noticed a loose pipe and fixed it right on the spot before doing the test. Thanks Ben! I will go there every time I need a smog test done on my cars.

Their website advertises a discount for cars newer than 2006, but they only give it to you if you have the hard copy coupon in hand.

They didn’t go in order of the customers who got here first, don’t seem to know what they’re talking about, made us come back multiple times because of one small bolt that was missing. Wasted a lot of time. Not to mention it was filthy, there was literally a cockroach crawling around in the waiting room and stains on all the furniture. The vibes are weird, too.

Never ever come to this place.
I initially went to Davis Smog because there was no line. It didn’t pass, which was expected. I was told to keep the receipt, bring the car back and they would re-​check without an additional fee.
My husband took the car back today. The lady at the counter said it had to be brought back within 45 days for the no fee deal. This was not explained initially, nor was it anywhere on the receipt. My husband started to protest, and the lady took the receipt OUT OF HIS HAND and stamped it with a «45 day» stamp.

No appointment, no car in front of me, it took 20 minutes. I passed, and the lady had me out with time to spare for lunch.
Only cons: it is overpriced compared to other places ($ 75 w/​o coupon), but for the no-​nonsense speed and ease of getting in and getting out, I find it’s worth it. Also, the lady speaks hella fast, so if you fail, I guess, be prepared to ask her to repeat herself (which is a trial if you’re generally nervous, like me).

They were friendly and quick. I was there about 20 minutes. In and out. The parking lot is small so I parked at the business next door.

It didn’t take me long to turn around and go somewhere else.
I pulled up to the garages and an employee asked what I needed today.
Told him Smog check please.
Said ok, directed me to park in the lot.
Wait 10 full minutes, nobody addresses me.
Get out of car and ask how long the wait is.
Guys ask what I’m there for, oil change?
No, I’ve been waiting for smog check.
Guy says oh well these this car that just pulled up are getting one, so you’re after them. Should take one hour.
Really? That seems kind of long to wait and I’ve been waiting since before they even got here.
Guy says «Well there’s plenty of other places to go»
So I went across town to a cheaper place and got serviced immediately.
Neglectful and rude places don’t get my business.

Very helpful and kind staff. Make sure to check whether your coupon applies before you pay.

(530) 756‑6363
The phone number u have listed for Davis Smog is incorrect. The correct number from their website is listed above

Never go here!!! They are a rip off, take advantage of women and over charge, they flat out lie and are WAYYYY overpriced!!! Do yourself a favor, go anywhere else!!!

I took my business vehicle in today and, who I think is the owner, flat out refused to help me. He was not busy (there were no other vehicles in the bay or waiting), he just didn’t like the type of vehicle I was driving and didn’t want my business.

I have previously brought 3 different cars to Davis smog with no issues but for some reason I brought my car in this time and the owner refused to smog my car after saying that the intake I had was not stock and that it was «too modified».
I explained that I have a cobb intake and it is one of the only after market intakes approved for smog in california. I also have the emissions certification sticker on the actual intake which the technician (owner) refused to even consider looking at. After trying to explain that I had the sticker and to look at it, the owner became very rude and told me to leave. This is very disappointing considering I drove half an hour to this shop because of the great service in the past.
I then asked for a business card to write a review and was told that if I didn’t leave he would call the police. REDICULOUS.
I would understand if I didn’t have ANY supporting paperwork but I had all necessary components and only ended up with a waste of my time and gas. I will definitely not be returning ever and will encourage people to steer clear of this shop.
I use Unilocal all of the time but I finally made an account JUST to post this review because of how disappointed I was.

I no longer see my review on here, so I will repost. They failed to check my gas cap during my first inspection. When I came back for a retest, he accused me of switching my gas cap and failed me again. This places is completely dishonest and overpriced. I will never go back. I recommend that you avoid this place.

They failed to file my paperwork with the DMV, so after weeks of not hearing anything, and not getting my plates in the mail, I finally had to go back to the DMV and show them the receipt. The DMV said they never received the paperwork or anything.
It feels mean to leave a bad review, but if this saves someone an unnecessary trip to the DMV, then it’s worth it.

Been here a couple of times. They’ve always been pretty quick, less than 30 minutes. Prices seem pretty good too, especially with a coupon. They’ve also got free wifi, which I didn’t use. The waiting room is pretty small, but you’re not there long so it’s not a big deal. Good, quick service, good prices, competent; that’s about as good as it gets.
Finding the place can be a bit confusing. Once in the parking area you have to drive past Speedee toward the far end of the car wash.