101 Express Smog

I had a10 am appointment. I was in and out in less than 25 minutes.

Not to be trusted bad service… failed smog because of modified part came back 15min later with stick that was legal & refused to smog again. after they told me to find it & they would.

Great service. Polite and very quick, only about 20 minutes. I called 1 hr before and got an appointment same day.

Took time off work to support 101 Express smog, however, they Closed early at 4:45pm and they wouldn’t accept me as a customer arriving at 4:40pm. From what I perceived, the technicians were incompetent and inept. What a shame. I went to A Smog Test Only place on Petaluma Blvd North and Oak St and they had me out the door in 10 mins flat. They used to have a real jerk of a technician but things seems to have changed at the latter business and I will be bringing all my vehicles there and referring folks to A Smog Test Only instead of 101 Express Smog from now on. I won’t be back to the latter ever again.

Took my car in and they said it failed because of white smoke which I did not see and I was watching the whole time. They charged me $ 42 and told me I had to take it to get fixed. Husband took it the next day to a reputable place in Santa Rosa and it passed. No problem. These guys rip you off! Stay away!

It was time for the good old registration that was due and I needed to get my car smogged. I called this place and they made a same day appointment, which I appreciated. I take the time off of work to go in there and drop my car off. Ten minutes later they call me to tell me I have a leak that needs fixing and they can’t continue the smog. The leak was to my radiator which was a small drip. I asked them how they could tell if it was bad and they said «i dont know» and that they were busy. They then handed me my keys and said bye and walked over to the next customer. I am going to have to get this fixed and would of needed to get it smogged again but due to their unkind service I will not be going back to them. They are the cheapest in town if you have their coupon. If you don’t they seem to want to take your business more which is what I had experienced.

Got there at 830am, smog was completed at 850am. Best deal in town! Would highly recommend, printed coupon from ValPak. $ 45 out the door.

I went to get my smog test done here due to a coupon that came in the mail. It was clear across town. I had called earlier to make an appt. I called again to change the time from 2pm to 3pm. When I arrived the employee was very snarky and rude, waving his «appt» book in my face, saying my appt was for 2pm but he could still get it done. The employee with whom I had spoken, was not there, to verify that I had indeed called to change the time, according to this «gentleman». I was so incensed by his rude behavior that I turned, got into my car and left. I went to another place closer to my house, got the test done, had a lovely chat with the receptionist and her gorgeous bulldog. No problem. Do NOT go here unless you enjoy being treated in an extremely rude manner. I would give minus stars if that were an option!

They administered a State mandated test just fine, a service no one should get more than 4 stars. The smog process is so highly regulated so there’s no leeway for these folks to bend any rules like some have done in the past. If you dont pass, there’s nothing they can do. Manager is a pretty decent guy but don’t expect anything but a blank stare if the techs wait on you. Little pricier than most but that’s close to the going rate. Retests are not free. Took care of business in 20 minutes, pretty efficient. STAR vendor for tests only.

101 Express Smog is great for what it is. If you need to have your car checked, they do that. They do it quickly and courteously. I can’t imagine what other qualities one would want from this kind of business.
I showed up Saturday morning without an appointment. They said they could squeeze me in within the hour. I went to the Starbucks next door, hung out for 45 minutes, came back, and they were done.
They also regularly issue coupons in Val-​pack for a $ 36 Smog check. As near as I can tell, this is the best deal in town.
My only suggestion would be that text/​call when the service is completed, but apart from that I am completely satisfied.

Fast, courteous, and good. I’ve been bringing all my cars here for smog testing with no problems or issues. 1997 through 2001 are my car years. Great service, great prices. Highly recommend.

Took my 1992 GMC Safari and my 1996 Buick Roadmaster to them today. Roadmaster cost me $ 45 and was done in 30 minutes. Safari was $ 80 and also took 30 minutes. Both passed. I had to remove the engine cover (doghouse) from the Safari but I understand that is pretty common. I had $ 36.70 Valupak coupons for both cars but as they are both older vehicles they don’t fit the «coupon» car so extra charges applied. Last time I smogged the Safari it cost me $ 150 so I am still better off. The place is just a garage bay with no real waiting room but there are plenty of places next door to occupy you for 30 minutes.

If you have an older car watch out for these guys. The techs are not well trained. I have a 1996 Jeep that the tech failed on a visual and claimed the catalytic converter was tampered with. If they were they trained better, they would have known that pre-​2009 cars can pass a visual inspection based on older criteria. I did the research myself and tried explaining this, but all they said was to take the car to a «referee». Took it to my mechanic instead (which I should have done in the first place) and I was good to go. Will never use these guys again.

Shady place. Went here a few months ago to have my car smogged because of their flyer for $ 36.99. Which if course did not end up being $ 36.99. My «check engine» light had been on for a non-​emission related issue. They knew this when the signed me in. When I came back 20 minutes later– they told me it passed the emission portion of the check– but didn’t officially pass because of the check engine light. They told me to get it fixed and come back– then they would only charge me a $ 25 re-​test fee. My friend went here and they charged her $ 65.99 to «visually» smog check her 2008 diesel car. They didn’t even hook it up to anything! This place is just «slimy». Go somewhere else.

Beware…
I sent a friend down to get a smog on his 97 toyota tercel.
He came back one hour later… happy it had passed but also $ 90 lighter in the pocket.
I thought maybe he had failed the smog check and they rechecked it a second time NOPE… turns out thats whats they charge if you just walk in off the street.
They have a number of coupons running for $ 40+ cert, yet they charged him double the rate.
I went in to speak to somebody and while standing there heard the guys tell three people three different prices on smogs on similar cars???
Funny…

I DO NOT recommend this place. Had a smog test done and failed they didn’t write down why I failed. Charged me $ 30 for an EVAP test which they didn’t even do. So $ 65 later and a failed smog test I have to go somewhere else. What a rip off. At the time of the failed test I was so shocked that I just paid the bill and left. That was dumb I know. Most places only charge $ 10 for an EVAP. Very arrogant guys working there. Never ever will I go there or recommend them !!!
We have to give a star but they DON’T DESERVE a star at all!!!

Let’s figure they’re getting one ‘extra’ star (if only Unilocal allowed zero) because the guy was fairly quick getting my car smogged without appointment. Not the friendliest sort, but expedient.
What is bad about this place is 1). they’re expensive — with coupon smog was still over $ 50. 2). A retest if you fail is $ 41.00 — pretty bad considering how many places will offer one for FREE. That should be made clear UP FRONT but wasn’t. That’s not my idea of a fair or consumer-​friendly business practice.
I brought my car in recently and told the guy I thought I may have a code still in the computer. He didn’t offer to check for that, as he should have (which would’ve saved me some time and their initial smog fee). It takes maybe three minutes to check that. Pep Boys and others do it for free. But then I consider their $ 41.00 retest fee and I see the scam. AVOID THESE THIEVES. I will not be returning.
READ the (IMO wrongly) filtered reviews for this place.

I am beyond upset. this is a rip-​off smog place.
Your telling me that my truck didn’t pass the visual smog part because you can’t understand what the manual says/​shows and just figured you wouldn’t pass the visual part!!! are you f-​ing kidding me!!!

If I could give ZERO stars I would. I read the reviews, I printed the coupon, and I called. «Bring it in this afternoon”-they said. I explained I had work done on the car and REALLY needed to get the smog-​to get the tags– in other words «don’t screw me over!»
Guess what? We got in the car, we drove straight there and WHAT??? Some pimple face kid says «Uh, all booked today– sorry». COME ON!!! BEWARE OF THIS SHOP’! They change prices at a whim– sometimes honor a coupon– sometimes not– BAD NEWS! Do not go here!

Gotta agree with the other Unilocalers giving this establishment 5 whole stars. I went this morning, with my little coupon, they took me in immediately, honored the coupon, and I was out of there in probably 15 minutes. They were not overly friendly, but efficient and getting cars in and out with precision. I then registered on line with the DMV and they already had notice of my car passing the test. I would recommend it, but be sure to look for the «good» coupons, i.e. $ 26.95 plus the standard fees. BTW the shop was clean and orderly, and they have a flat screen TV for patrons (I watched Price is Right)
11÷4÷13 I lead a charmed life. I went there today, with no reservation. I produced my Valpak coupon, and in 18 minutes I was outta there, and the out the door price is $ 45. I drive a 4wd SUV, but no problem.