Test Only Smog Check Center in Pleasanton
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.
Thanks for this info. It was exactly what I was looking for. None of these places gives their prices on line. I guess they want you to call or just come in w/a coupon and who knows what they might charge. I happen to have a coupon for Clear Blue. Since it is in my neighborhood, that is where I will be taking my automobile. Thanks again for this timely information.