SFC Motors STAR Smog Check Station
| Category: | Smog Inspection Station |
| Address: | 398 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA |
| Phone: | +1 415-861-2002 |
| Site: | sanfrancisco-smogcheck.com |
| Rating: | 3.8 |
| Working: | 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 9AM–4PM 11AM–4PM |
Location
Photos 1
Reviews 9
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A Private User
I bought a 1991 Nissan Maxima here. I was in dire need of a car and jetlagged, so was my partner, who drove it and liked it. They said theyd gotten it from a dealership who got it as a trade-in, and that they had checked it out well and found it in good condition. Well, stupid of me to believe, but I was also too tired to make much of a fuss. So we bought it for $2800 "out the door" (DMV & CA sales tax). After driving it for a day, I noticed the cars alarm started honking when unlocking it from the driver side door. We called them, they laughed and said you have to first open another door or the trunk. I would have liked to know this before agreeing to buy it. Two weeks later I found it needed new front brakes and a ball joint, and a transmission service, because it had the wrong transmission fluid and was overfilled; $385 total. The power steering fluid system leaks, so does the oil pan, which I havent fixed yet (pacing my budget). Then it needed a new alternator and battery, $538 total; then the passenger front shock fell out, $215 at a very affordable mechanics. Now, 5 months after buying and putting $1200+ into it, the transmission needs rebuilding, quoted at $2200. It also needs motor mounts and transmission mounts, quoted at $300-500, and a front passenger axle for $130 plus labor. To be on the safe side, a new timing belt is advisable, since the last service shows as done about 100K miles ago. Thats around $600. So after all thats around 6K total for having a drivable 1991 Nissan. Bottom line: If I were you, Id avoid this dealer. Too much lying by omission. Or if they truly didnt know about it, then their "checking cars out" is worthless due to complete mechanical ignorance.
LA
Laura Kessell
Update: the car I bought here completely died after 5 months and had to be taken to the junk yard. It overheated and engine melted. ----- bought a really decent car from here. We are now the proud owners of a low-mileage 1991 Toyota corolla wagon, We paid $3K for it including tax and bought it even though it made a terrible noise while stopping. Mort inspected the car and said the brakes were in great condition (he took all the wheels off and checked every brake right in front of us). He said he didnt know what the noise could be but thought it would be minor. We REALLY wanted a corolla station wagon so we bought it trusting that nothing on the car could be THAT expensive to fix. We took it to our mechanic after we purchased it and it turns out the brakes were bad and needed front and rear boots replaced. So okay, not terribly expensive to fix but still... I feel kind of lied to. I guess this is just all used car salesmen? I dont feel like I got a "deal" at all, I paid $3K+ for a 20 year old car, but I do feel that the car will last at least another decade and I have really enjoyed it so far.
SC
Scott Demyon
If you fail they only give you 14 days for the "free" retest, which isnt even free. They charge another $17 for the "free" retest, then point their fingers at the fine print in their paperwork. Sub standard service, tech took his sweet time, even browsing through photos on the managers smartphone, all while my car was running on the machine. Will not go back here EVER!
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A Private User
They just also opened up a Smog Test Only Station this year. Got my Smog taken care of without any problems. Great customer service. They also have a decent selection of cars from $3k-$18k. Will have to check out their inventory when my car breaks down.
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Audrey Vernick
Fast, gave me a discount from Yelp, free coffee across the street at the cafe while I waited, excellent service!
MI
Ming-Chi Kuo
no wait on a tuesday morning. took about 15m altogether. only $40 w/ a coupon.
BR
Brandon Bruhn
Obtained a smog check on Sunday afternoon. No hassles, friendly staff.
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Robert Warren
Extremely friendly service
BE
Belter Palma
Good customer care.