Ist Automotive

Ismail at 1^st Automotive is great! It is easy to schedule an appointment, efficient quick service, and a really nice guy. Highly recommend!

Located close to home, and read the Unilocal reviews, so what more do I need?
I had a 9:15 am appt on a Saturday. They are located in kind of an «automotive strip mall» of sorts, which is pretty visible from the corner of Bascom and San Carlos/​Stevens Creek. Look hard for the signs saying «smog check», though. They’re towards the back, and I kinda drove by in the parking lot without noticing it right away.
There was someone ahead of me, and that took appr. 15 min, so the first appt. was prob late. My car took about 15 min also. In the meantime, I asked Ismail how long he’d been in the business, and he said «30 years!» Nice guy.
Predictable transactions, necessary service, experienced guy, central location. That’s a pretty good formula!

since our move into the area recently, my husband + i have had to get our car registrations changed in CA. that being said, there is a smog test required for both our cars. upon recommendation of a family member, i ventured here on two different occasions (today’s visit was the most recent) to get both cars smog-​tested. the visit before last was our older car (2001 honda accord) that cost $ 48.25 ($ 40 for smog test + $ 8.25 for smog certificate to bring to DMV). today’s visit was for my husband’s car (2007 VW jetta) and i had to shell out $ 50 for it ($ 41.75 for smog test + $ 8.25 for smog cert).
each time, it’s only taken him 15 min. MAX to get each car tested + then i’m out. i know it’s a bit pricier than other places, but it’s the convenience, the place’s proximity to our home, the friendly service + the less time i waste waiting around for anything car-​related. this place takes plastic (CC/​debit card), check, cash.

I have been using Ist Automotive for more than 5 years now and I am extremely pleased with my experience.
So far, I have had great and fair estimates, diagnostics and repairs. The owner is pretty trustworthy. (which is basically a killer point that would get the 5 stars on its own)
Also, I took a couple of cars to this place when I was shopping for a car. The guy was pretty sharp on figuring out (and uncovering) past and potential problems, accidents.
All in all, an excellent job!

This place i got my car clutch changed. He did Excellent job. Friendly, fast and reasonable price.

This place does «smog only». The spot is clean, dude is friendly, the only thing that got me was that he charged me $ 71 out the door for a smog. Had I known about the other spots in Santa Clara… They were only charging $ 25-​$ 35 for smogs. Ismail was knowledgeable, fast and explained what went wrong. Only downfall is he charges alot. Then again this is his only way of business… no repairs.

Been using for about 5 years now. Maybe close to 10 smogs. I’ve never been there more than 30 minutes (usually 10 – 15). The gentleman’s name that always there is Ismail and he is very nice and trustworthy.