Placer Street Smog and Repair

Justin Goodrich

★★☆☆☆

3 years ago

One of the guys here messed with my idle screw, saying it needed to be at certain rpm, and didn't use the throttle instead. Didn't pass. Went to another shop, they told me it wasn't passing because someone messed with the idle screw. He adjusted and it passed no problem. Perhaps a fluke or a bad day for this guy, but I wasn't happy about it, didn't get a refund, so here I am.

Brent Strong

★★★★★

7 years ago

Darren Ottman was great, we talked a little about cars and how we hate automated phone soliciting calls. The first time around on the machine it froze and we had to redue the smog test a second time. He told me the pizza place across the street had good pizza and i took advantage of an appetizer sampler while i waited for the second test to be done. After my food i headed over where he then had my car ready for pick up. I was relived to have my car pass with flying colors. Great work Darren you have my business and i will be sure to refer you in the future.

John Moran

★★★★★

8 years ago

Darren always does a thorough and great job on my cars. Even though my car didn't pass smog there about 10 days ago, most of my cars do, and he gave me a good appraisal of what was wrong and what to do with the car. I'll always go to him first for my smogs.

Jake White

★★☆☆☆

6 years ago

The man I spoke with was short and rude. He insulted my choice of vehicle upon entering, communicated poorly making me feel incompetent for asking questions to make sure I was understanding him, and stopped himself just short of insulting my beliefs. The work took 2-3 times longer than estimated and did not fix the problem; for this of course I can't completely place fault on Placer Street Smog. Only reason I'm at 2 and not 1 stars is for the quoted price being exactly what I paid.

KoolBeanz

★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

I went here 2 yrs ago and as a student I don't have much money so the mechanic who seemed older helped me out! This last month I went and it seemed to be a younger guy then last visit, maybe the son! He didnt want to help and was 150 just to find out what is wrong! Well it only takes a device hooked up to your computer for 30 seconds... As are most mechanics, rip offs... All of this because I wanted a smog check and my engine light was on, which in the great state of California means you cant pass smog...

Vinnie Hawthorne

★★★★★

a year ago

I moved out of Redding long ago so I haven’t been here in years, but I still remember the kindness of the mechanic who helped me and gave me a good deal! One of the best experiences I’ve ever had with car repair!

Kelly Head

★★★★★

3 years ago

I was given a referral several years ago, and I’ve been with Jay ever since. All my repairs have always been perfect, done with quality parts and impeccable service. Jay is such an amazing mechanic that I even get my oil changed and that is very important and Jay never uses cardboard oil filters or cheap oil like everyone else does ( you would be surprised). My car has run better and better and better; any time of a problem or an issue Jay is always there to help out and bring me the best service and parts available. Just recently, I had to get new tires, the people I got my new tires from will remain nameless… they were giving me the runaround because they messed up. I knew they were feeding me a line so I called Jay and Jay called them, and made sure they did exactly as he said. It was so wonderful having Jay protect my car from these tire jockeys. Jay made them fix the problem and take my concerns seriously. Once again, Jay saves the day. A while ago, I had to get a part fixed, I was talking to one of my clients about it and she asked do you trust you Mechanic? I kind of chuckled… being a woman, finding a good mechanic that won’t take a vantage of you is kind of hard. I told her I trust Jay impeccably he has never led me wrong, overcharged me or broken my car so he could fix it. I told her Jay is always right. He always gets the job done and it’s always perfect. You could go somewhere else waste your money, waste your time and ruin your vehicle… but if you’re smart and you love your car, you will take it to Jay. Now, please understand Jay is an ASE certified mechanic Jay’s been in the business for a very long time well, over 30 years; he is up-to-date and up to code on everything as far as I’m concerned. Whatever Jay’s tells you is the truth. Don’t try to argue with him because you’re not an ASE certified mechanic that’s out to do the best for you & Jay is. I even had an individual who owns a trailer and RV shop. Tell me he could fit my vehicle for a trailer and he can look it up and see exactly what size a trailer my car can pull and he can hook it all up for me. What that guy didn’t know is that Jay already told me what size of trailer I can and can’t pull & what would happen to my transmission if I did. So, once again, Jay saves my car from some guy who just wants to make a buck so when I say, Jay knows all and don’t argue with Jay, I mean, Jay knows all he has your best interest at heart and wants your car to run the best that it can. If it sounds like Jay is the best mechanic in the world, so be it, I believe he is & so does my car.

Tracy Hovey

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

I called to make an appointment for a smog, and the man who answered the phone was rude and appeared to be bothered by helping me. I told him I felt like I was bothering him. He defensively and rudely retorted that it was loud in the shop. I explained it wasn't him asking me to repeat myself but that it was his tone. I told him to have a nice day and called another smog shop. They had much better customer service.

William Kelleher

★★★★★

3 years ago

Great guys set my test date for both mine and my wife's car, they were ready when I pulled in. They went right to work and tested my truck. It passed. Pulled my wife's car in and again they went right to work very personable very professional great place to get your smog taken care of. Wife's car passed paid for both vehicles and got my smog certs. Thanks guys for a great experience and a great job.

Carrie D

★★★★★

2 years ago

Darren Ottman did my smog in record time. He also mentioned a recall issue that came out about 1.5 months previously that I wasn’t aware of. 5 stars for being pleasant and efficient. I will definitely recommend them. It does look like an older “mom and pop” facility with no amenities other than two plastic chairs, but for $45.00 smog and certificate, I can make it work.

Chloe Skube

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

My experience here has left me baffled. I came in for for a smog and left with feeling insulted and had only been talked to as an object rather than a person. Immediately after getting there I was told I look like I don’t know how to drive my own car. I was never talked to I was only talked at and it felt completely degrading and disrespectful. The whole time I was there I was looked at sideways and talked to like an idiot. The bowling pin of a man continued to disrespect me and the way my OWN car was set up. I have put a lot of time and money into my car as I mainly use it for track and they continued to tell me it is not a race car and questioned that I knew anything about the money/ anything that has gone into this car. The time I spent there I felt as if I was not wanted but was a burden to them. To sum this up I will never be going back here as I was genuinely insulted and left feeling completely disrespected.

Andy Hobbs

★★★★★

4 years ago

I had an emergency repair needed on my daily commuter. The owner understood my immediate need and fit me into his schedule. The repair was completed by the following day and the price was actually less than the quote, like that ever happens anywhere...they do much more than smog. While my car is only 2 years old, I am confident they will do a good job on future non dealer warranty emergencies, maintenance and eventually smog. I was referred by a family member that uses them for newer and older vehicles.

Connie Koch

★★★★★

2 years ago

I love this shop! They are so helpful and knowledgeable! I highly recommend them! They performed my smog inspection last July. And today, I had a check engine light on, which showed an evap problem. It was recommended that I get a new gas cap, which I did, but the light wouldn't go out, so Darren told me to come by and he would check the code and turn the light out. Big thumbs up to these guys!

Lord Bishamonten

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

Whoever I spoke with upon arrival was rude as hell just because I was a bit early. Basically told me to get lost and didn't make any effort to direct me to where I might be able to park and wait till my appointment time. If I didnt need to get a smog done ASAP I would have gone elsewhere. Will not be a repeat customer that's for sure

Rebecca Hileman

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

Asked for a written quote for smog inspection and the man I spoke with didn’t even let me finish my sentence and said, “We don’t have a smog tech so we’re not doing smogs right now.” Which is fine, I totally understand that but, his attitude and tone of voice was extremely rude. I will never take my car there unless last resort.

Nathan Provence

★★★★★

6 years ago

I've used Darren for my smogs and some auto repairs that I don't have time for... for 7 years now. Awesome people down to earth and just great person in general. Very fair prices as well.

Matt C in Redding

★★★★★

7 years ago

This is my go-to place for getting things taken care of quickly and reasonably on most any vehicle I have they are usually pretty quick about getting my smog done and are very friendly, Price is Right the quality of workmanship is good and Darren is amongst the best in the mechanic's world.