G M Auto & Smog - Santa Barbara, California

Matthew Garcia

Stay away! If you have an older car, do not take your car here!!!!! What a scam. They do not have the proper equipment to test an older car for smog. They plugged in their machine, then told me I failed the smog check due to a computer error and made me pay $80. I had already gone through previous efforts with my mechanic to make sure my car was fit to pass smog. So when I went back to my mechanic with the technical code they used to fail me, he said that was a fault that their computer system transferred onto my car, since it was incompatible with my car! He tested my emissions, and everything was passable. So he advised I take my car to a different smog station in Santa Barbara. The next place I tried had the proper equipment to test older cars and I passed the smog test no problem. What a waste of money it was even trying out G & M!! Even when I went back to tell them about the computer error not being a valid reason to fail smog, they refused to help me out and gave me a bad attitude.
They prey upon customers who don’t know any better in order for them to make a profit. I do not recommend anybody go here for a smog check. Please try a different establishment in Santa Barbara where they will actually provide competent service.

summerlandmary

I believe that GM & Smog is the absolute best! Mary is wonderful and the mechanic Miguel is the greatest mechanic. The office is comfortable and interesting and I was treated with great kindness! I also get tune ups and oil changes and Miguel did my brakes too! The ultimate service my car has ever received! I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else.

Nina Martin

I went into this auto shop with the most random little issue. I honestly wasn't sure where to start or who to go to. I called my car dealership who told me they had no openings for two weeks. After finishing a coffee at Handlebar, I decided to check out G M auto across the street. I felt really uncomfortable approaching them with so little idea of what my car's problem was, but the woman at the front desk was welcoming and genuine. Miguel was nearby and heard the conversation, and came out to diagnose my issue. I expected what would have happened at a dealership: checking in with someone who wouldn't give a straight answer, then being pushed around for hours, with no answers. Miguel fixed my issue in 2 minutes. It wasn't a difficult fix, but elsewhere, they would have found a way to make it difficult. I'm forever grateful for the humanity both employees showed me today at G and M.

Courtney Schatzman

I trust these guys! How often can you say they about a mechanic? Mary is great to plan my maintenence and easy to work with. The team there is honest and kind and the rates are reasonable. They show you the work done and give you the print outs and talk over the CPU codes with you. They are always upfront about the work they plan to do. I frequently have them do oil, smog, brakes, filter, most items except the car computer work on my cars and my work vehicles.

Rachel Ortega

These guys are amazing! My car battery died and I jump started it several times, but each time I would turn the car off it wouldn’t start again. I called them on such short notice and they told me I could bring it in and they would take a look at it. They replaced the battery and, since I was there, I asked if they could do an oil change too. While I was waiting they recommended a great restaurant and a park that was nearby after to take the dog. All in all, a great experience with their service and their pricing is fair. I will definitely be coming back!!

Rob Davis

I went in for a smog certificate and I told them that to please do it with the VIN # as I couldn't find the registration .They said fine no problem, the truck passed and they handed me my smog certificate. However, I failed to notice that they had mistakenly stapled another cars registration to my smog certifcate. I took this paperwork to AAA and said specifically said I would like to pay for a current registration on the provided smog certificate. They said that would be $161, then I paid that amount in cash. I walked out with my new registration with a 2024 expiration date and put it on my truck.Two days later the city of Santa Barbara had my truck for an expired registration. It turns out I had paid the registration of the one stapled to my smog certificate. So, the city of Santa Barbara said they didn't care and that I owed them $170 for ticket. 805 towing then told me it was $985 to tow my truck from Haley street to their yard by the airport. I went to the next morning to the smog place and they said it wasn't there a problem because I should've read the paperwork before I left. And they refused to pay for anything. And to top it off AAA said they would not give me the name of the person whose registration I did pay. So I am out the $161 for that deal also. So subsequently I am out $1500 for a stapled registration to my smog certificate by GM Automotive.

Brandon Robinson

I called them because my car was making a strange noise, and Alex diagnosed the problem over the phone. Their prices are great and the whole experience of taking the car in and picking it up was delightfully peaceful. I hate dealing with car repairs but with these guys its was hassle free. They clearly know a lot about cars and treat their customers fairly. This is my new go-to mechanic.

Daryl Abrams

This is the best smog test station in Santa Barbara. I have lived in Santa Barbara for 35 years, doing regular smog checks on our many vehicles. GM Auto is excellent, and the best one I have used yet. We have already taken three of our cars there this year, and each time we were completely satisfied with their performance. They set appointments and do the work quickly, on schedule as promised.

This is in stark contrast to the horrible experience I recently had at another Santa Barbara smog station, Star-Tech Automotive.
DO NOT GO TO STAR-TECH!!!
They said I needed to spend $1,100 to pass my car. They first charged me $85 additional services after failing the first smog check and quoted the additional $1,100 work required to pass. I had the work done at my regular for $350 and returned for the "free re-test", but they refused, saying that the $85 additional spent did not count as a repair for the free retest. Star-Tech said I needed to do an additional $600 work in order to pass. I immediately took my car to GM Auto and it passed on the first try.