AA Smog Shop

Super fast, knowledgeable, and reasonably priced, this place was painless for my required Star Certified Smog Check. I have a few legal modifications under the hood and wasn’t sweated about them like most shops, had my CARB EO stickers on display under the hood and was in and out in no time. I highly recommend AA Smog for all your needs. Oh, and don’t go there hungry because Volare’s next door smells incredible!

These guys are honest and hard working mechanics. Whether it’s a smog check, oil change, or a more complex repair these guys do a timely and quality job for a fair price. I couldn’t recommend them any higher.
Simply the best in San Diego!

Was specifically looking for a Star-​certified smog tester. I was in the area and was originally heading for Kearney Mesa to get a lower rate, but decided I’d use Unilocal to find one that was reasonable close by. Well, I hit the jackpot. I called and asked if they had a discount through Unilocal and he said he didn’t but he would honor me a $ 10 discount anyway. Original price for test plus star certification is 59.99. Other places in Kearney Mesa was charging almost 50 which includes a discount so this place was very comparable.(only a few bucks difference) i headed over and there was no line. I was out the door in 15 min. I liked that he didn’t try to sell me anything. I had a big crack on my window and he had a big sign that said they were a certified window fixer. I may just come back to fix my window.

This place was referred to me by JR San Diego Smog and Repair. My mechanic said if I stated to CJ that I was referred by JR San Diego Smog and Repair, CJ would give me a discount. When I told CJ, he looked dubitable, saying ‘Who? Uh, I don’t know who. or remember.?’… Couple of minutes later he said ‘Oh yeah, I think I remember them’ and he gave me the discount. It’s slightly sad how people try to help your business but you can’t be appreciative or remembering of who they are. Nonetheless, I’m grateful he gave me the discount. The best service was from his staff, a young gentleman, shaved head, blonde and sunglasses. He helped me park as I entered since there was limited parking, friendly greeting and instantly said ‘Could we help you?’ as I stepped out of my car. Extra thank you to this staff member.

Referred by a friend, called and this friendly man said to come on down anytime. I went at 10:30am on Saturday. He checked me in right away even though he was working on another car. I got in and out in about 20 minutes, no prob. I only feel sorry for the big white bird having to breathe all the exhaust fumes, but he seemed happy enough to be there.

Of course I wait until 2 days before my registration is due to even look at the paper, why wouldn’t I? I run to AAA to pay it, and once I am standing in line, I realize my car needs to be smogged, just great!
So I Unilocal what is around me, and this spot stands out. I mosey on down and wow what great customer service. The guy was doing it all himself, and I did have to wait about 30 mins until it was my turn, but man he was hustling to make sure people were not waiting too long.
I finally made it to my turn, and he knew that I was Navy and gave me a military discount, only 54.95. I thought that was a fair price, especially given my circumstatnces.
It was done within 10 minutes and I was on my way back to AAA to pay for my registration.
Overall great experience.

I live in PB and what a pain it was to find a decently rated Star Certified smog station. Quicker then my local biker bar and a bit cheaper (insist on a deal). Barnett is a bit far to venture, but with Volares and Squidco next door and a breezy outside tent to hang in, it’s all good.

Went there this morning, wonderful service. You are made to feel welcome immediately and even with 2 cars ahead of me the wait time was minimal. Highly recommend this business and will come back there! Yay, I passed!

Quick, accommodating on my lunch break & very friendly.
About average for a smog and a test center to boot!

I brought some fleet vehicles here for SMOG so I can get them registered, and CJ was prompt and attentive. I managed to arrive when he was having slow days, and I had 4 vans smogged and each one took 15 minutes or less with no wait in many cases. I’m definitely please and will suggest this shop to others.

Simple, painless and pleasant.
I called … CJ told me he wasn’t busy and to come on down. I arrived, he took my car, I paid the agreed-​upon price, and I was on my way in fewer than 15 minutes. CJ was very professional. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AA Smog Shop.

My experience here was just how I like encounters with car/​DMV/​government related activities: fast, efficient, little wait time, friendly employees.

Went for a smog check and oil change. The process was extremely fast. CJ and John were friendly and helpful. Pricing was average.

Trusting a small smog business is very difficult, especially if you’ve had experience with the usual upsells and negative experiences associated with pushy technicians \ salespeople. Today I decided to take a chance on AA Smog off of Rosecrans. Although I haven’t had any experiences with this business, I decided to take a chance anyways since my tags were already expired and it was so close to work.
This was an experience I did not regret at all. The person answering the phone is the owner and the tech that runs the diagnostics named CJ, who was just as friendly and honest on the phone as he was in person. Needless to say my vehicle passed and he did this all within my lunch period, roughly 45 minutes. I was very happy and will be doing business and recommending his services to anyone I know who needs it. I noticed his reviews appear to be outdated so here’s a fresh new review for 2011. GIve him a call you’d be glad you did!

I got my car smog checked here, and I agree with Chris R. that the service was fast and friendly. This looks like a one-​man operation. Like Chris, I called ahead. I got a price quote from the shop owner. When I arrived, I saw people dropping off their cars and leaving. I decided to wait, which turned out to be a good decision, because it seems that he does the cars of the people waiting first. When it came time to pay, he tried to charge me five dollars more than what he told me on the phone. «No, I really said (the higher price), but I’ll give it to you.» What this told me is that there is some leeway in the price.
Here’s what I recommend. Go early in the month when the business is slower. Call ahead and ask for a price quote. Whatever price he gives, subtract five dollars and tell him that another shop quoted you the lower number. Ask if he will match it. When you get there, right at the start, remind him of the price you both agreed on. Then wait for your car. The waiting room is the parking lot, so bring some sunscreen and a magazine.

I get a wonderful treat at the beginning of each year, it’s the lovely state of California and it’s Department of Motor Vehicles asking for money to register my car. This year was different, on it they attached a very large, red, annoying message that read REQUIRES SMOG PASS. My response… WHAT THE FLUX?! Being the on time person I was, it was Saturday and I had a tee time and the registration was due on Monday. Apparently, (you might want to write this down) smog shops aren’t open on Sunday. Not a single one. The proprietor of this Smog Test Only location, CJ, informed me of the inability to get your smog passed on a Sunday. Regardless, I scheduled to come in and drove and parked next to the famed Volare and sat while CJ smogged my six year old car. He was fast, friendly and was kind enough to fit me into his busy schedule. I missed my tee time, but passed my smog test and still have transportation. Thanks CJ and AAA Smog! DMV, you will get yours.