Compare 4 Consumers

Two years ago at about this time I compared and reviewed some Test Only/Gold Shield Smog Check Centers in Pleasanton. At that time my research pointed to:

Clear Blue Test Only SMOG Station
3790 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-7664

At that time the price was very competitive and the service was fast and efficient. However this time when I pulled up to the station a man in a heavy eastern block accent informed me that the smog check for my car would run $110. He would make me a good deal though. Not being too interested in haggling over the price of a smog check, I returned to my research.

This time the winner was:

Harry’s Auto Repair
183 Wyoming Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 462-3237

Since my last research Harry has received Gold Shield certification, and the online coupon made the cost of the smog check $35. Certificate and ETF brought the grand total to $45 out the door.

I brought my car to Harry’s Auto for repairs a couple of years ago. At that time the repair service was good, price was fair, but customer service left a little to be desired. This time I noticed a marked improvement in the customer service aspect, including a nice, clean waiting room. They did march me back out to read my own odometer, so not an A plus, but much better than last time.

My car barely passed, but did, and I was in and out in 15 or 20 minutes. Compare 4 Consumers recommends Harry’s Auto Repair for your Pleasanton Gold Shield Smog Check needs.

admin Auto gold shield, Harry's Auto Repair, pleasanton, smog check, smog test

It’s that time of every-other year again. Time to renew my automobile registration, and it came with the words “SMOG Certification Required at a Test Only or Gold Sheild station.” I’m not sure what a Gold Shield station is, but I’m all too familiar with Test Only stations. My catalytic converter went out before my last SMOG check and I spent a good amount of time at:

Epps Test Only Center
183 Wyoming St
Pleasanton,CA
(925) 931-0922

When I called this time, ‎ however, I let the phone ring about 15 times and no one picked up. I did  have a coupon for:

Clear Blue Test Only SMOG Station
3790 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-7664

Time to price shop. Clear Blue’s normal price for my ‘98 Toyota Camry V6 was $89.95, plus $10 for the certificate. Without the coupon that would be pretty steep, but the coupon brought the price down to $44.95 plus $10, or $54.95 total.

The next two places I called were a little farther away, in Dublin, but still within my shopping range:

All Smogs Test Only Center
7034 Village Pkwy
Dublin, CA 
(925) 828-7277

The cost at All Smogs was $68.95, including certificate, plus you could get 5 dollars off by bringing in a canned food donation. An appointment was necessary.

‎Last on my list was:

Discount Smog Check Center
6055 Dougherty Rd
Dublin, CA‎ 
(925) 551-0400

The cost at Discount was $45.20 plus the cost of the certificate. Not enough of a savings for the extra driving, so I chose Clear Blue.

When I arrived the technician was standing out front waiting for a customer. That was me! He collected my paperwork, gave me some to fill out, and then directed me to the waiting area. By the time I got settled, and started my reading, he was backing my car up to where I sat. Fifteen minutes, if that, from start to finish.

If you need a SMOG check at a Test Only center in Pleasanton, California, I highly recommend Clear Blue. They are located on Hopyard Road and Las Positas, right next to the Shell station, and  near the DMV.

admin Auto