Richie’s Official Smog Test Center

Well, my 2005 Ford Focus needed smogging so I could get my tags renewed. I went back to Richie’s, and found the same quick, friendly service. He took me in immediately; I was out in 10 minutes. Quick, convenient, and friendly service. This only confirms all the nice things I said about Richie’s Official Smog Test Center in my last review. It’s the place to go. I’d only been there once before, over a year ago, and he still remembered me and greeted me like a friend.

These guys are the best, and I have been coming here for years. Quick in-​and-​out, friendly, fluent English service by Richie himself, the most up-​to-​date equipment including electronically filing your smog cert for you, clean chairs to sit on while you wait — — you may find it hard to believe that no one else in SF offers all these things, but in my experience it’s true.

Wow. Had been told this was a «tell a friend about» type place. Quick, friendly, in and out in less than 10 minutes — in my case, no one was waiting when I drove in without an appointment on a Monday afternoon. Richies is definitely going to go on my list of resources when people ask me about smog check. If you have a hard time locating it when you drive-​by sometimes you can’t see the sign but it’s in the Arco station on the corner of 14^th and mission

Top-​notch service with a smile… and on Saturday as well. Very convenient location @ one of the city’s cheapest gas stations (14^th & Mission Arco).

Was not let down by the reviews here. Richie was a cool and collected guy. The entire smog check took around 10 minutes. Total cost was 69.95 (for a compact coupe), which seemed a bit high – but I thought the speed of service was valuable, so maybe it works out. Would go back again.

Richie was great. I was in and out quick. Add to that very personable and you have a recipe for a great place to get your smog check completed. Thanks for making a «chore» painless.

I had a very positive experience — quick in-​and-​out and very pleasant. I called ahead to make sure he wasn’t busy and I didn’t have to wait at all.

Richie sent me a reminder postcard in May. Came by yesterday and barely had to wait. Richie was fast and courteous, just like two years ago. He even offered to buy my ten year old car.

Richie is a pro. Fast, competent, gracious. Wow. He deserves our business. It’s the place to go a smog test.

Got my smog check done today. I originally went to Don’s Auto Service in Bernal Heights (I went there years ago and really liked it). Apparently Don’s no longer does smog checks, but they recommended Richie’s. They said «we trust him». So off I drove. Richie was super polite and prompt. I walked around the area for 10 – 15 minutes, though I could have opted to sit in one of the chairs that Richie offered. Always an interesting experience in that area of the Mission — fancy coffee shops and boutiques, the Armory, and lots of questionable characters on the street…
Quick, efficient, no-​nonsense. Richie’s is located at an Arco gas station, so you can also fill up at the same time. You can kill two annoying tasks at once!

I have gotten 2 smog checks at Richie’s in the past, and he makes this annoying chore easy! He even sent me a nice reminder in the mail within days of my DMV renewal arriving. He’s friendly, efficient, and reasonably priced. He also sends your smog certification to the DMV online without even being asked, which makes this process even easier!

Amazing, that was the fastest SMOG check ever, quick call, no wait time, done in 15min as promised, passed and already on the road again

I was in and out in under 15 minutes. And as the costumer in front of me made constant absurd racist remarks, Richie handled the situation with utmost professionalism. Yay!

A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. Excellent service. Service was very fast, and Richie was very personable. He replaced my headlight free of charge, and chatted about his kids. A perfect experience. You just have to be willing to shell out $ 69.95.

Took my ride in there today for a smog check and was on the road ten minutes later. They don’t mess around here and do a great job. I’ll be back the next time it’s time to smog my car.

Fast + friendly = perfect!
Richie made my first-​ever smog check a breeze! Richie greeted me when I drove up, and I was able to pull right in to immediately start the test. Fifteen minutes later and I drove off, results in hand.

I’ve gone here for the past several years for my smog checks. They’re super-​quick, close to me, affordable, and pretty professional. You can usually just walk in without an appointment and be in and out in 30 mins.

Smog check isn’t something that excites me. 3 things I look for in a Smog Test Center. Courteous staff, quick, and reliable .
RIchie welcomed my into his shop next to Arco with a nice handshake. No waiting in line. Richie started his timer. Was he timing his work? Certainly impressed me with 15 minutes and a pass!
The other Smog Test Centers didn’t want to work a Porsche. They asked for more in labor costs to remove the cover to the engine. Richie’s service and knowledge surpassed the others.

There is a certain sense of comfort I find whenever I see the term, «official.» I get the feeling that whatever comes after has great status and trustworthy. Richie’s Official Smog Test Center is both great and trustworthy. It is officially the real deal.
I had to wait to drive in because the gas station, where Richie’s is located, has truly inexpensive gas. As a result, it can get crowded. I waited and happily pulled in to where Richie himself indicated.
He invited me to have a seat on one of his chairs and after a few minutes, we were all done! Before I left, he showed me which paper I had to show to the DMV (since I had done something wacky with my registration) and I was off.
Epilogue: Went to the DMV later that week, handed in Richie’s Official Smog Test pass certificate, and my registration was officially complete! Woo hoo! I was officially happy and officially grateful for Richie’s. Officially.

Excellent experience at Richie’s Smog! Pleasant in fact, I drove in, had a small 5 minute wait, and the rest was history.
You can sit and watch them do the service, it’s quick and it’s right next to a local corner store/​coffee shop that serves single brew right there, if you’re in the mood to sit in the store and have a small snack.
It’s also next to the San Francisco Armory.
Friendly, quick, and he even tells you when the report will update in the DMV. Also gave some advice to me on how to pick up my sticker instead of mailing it because my registration was past due.
Plus, his sister does the book keeping and she is kind also. You can pay cash pr card, and there’s no nickel and dimming you, they offered me the lowest price advertised on Unilocal. You know good people when you meet them.
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