University City Service Center

Dropped by without appointment and had a smog inspection done here after I had moved to California. They told me that I could just chill over at the coffee shop while I waited. So I went in and got myself a tea when I realized I had forgotten my book in my car. When I went back to get my book from my car, he said that everything was done and that I had passed. I think it took me longer to get my tea than to get the smog inspection. Anyways, I loved how friendly, fast and convenient my experience was for here. Definitely coming back here.

I went for break fluid change and it took bit longer than expected. However, it was honest service and reasonable price. It’s first come first serve. Reason I am giving 4 stars because I am missing the convinience of appointment!

Had a smog check here a few times, pretty smooth experience.

A little more than most star certified smog places. But I paid for convenience. I was able to just chill at the coffee bean until my whip was smog free dood

So impressed with Brian’s honesty and integrity. We took the two used cars my daughter was looking to buy for pre-​purchase assessments. Very thankful we heeded his advice and bought the car he recommended (especially since we took the list of things it needed back to the seller who corrected them before selling us the car). Then when our son’s Saturn stopped running he said it was not worth the cost of repairs and let us leave it there until it could be towed away. He very easily could have had us pay thousands of dollars to fix it. We will definitely be taking our cars there for whatever service they need. The world needs more people like Brian

Been taking my there for the last couple of years for oil changes, smog checks, and mechanical issues. Brian is always helpful and not a rip-​off artist when it comes to repairs. Friendly and fast work.

I called in the morning to make an appointment for oil change but this lady answered that it would be first come first service. I got there around 7:30am and they seemed like they just opened. I handed off my keys to this guy and after 10−15mins they worked on my car.
I got oil change done. It took a reasonable amount of time. They of course put the sticker upper left corner that informs you when to come back for the next time.
I would go back and do my oil change for the next time.

This place is good! You can trust the workers and price are very reasonable. They always try to be as convenient as they can and don’t try to take advantage of you when you don’t know anything about cars.

This Shell station, until recently a Unocal 76 station, has a very good reputation among the University City locals, but I’ve never had much work done here other than it’s usually the place where I buy gasoline. But a couple of days ago I scraped the underside of the front of my VW GTI on a concrete parking block, and the protective pan under the engine became detached at the front, dragging on the ground as I drove and making an awful noise.
I knew this was something I’d probably have to have replaced at the VW dealer, and it would cost a lot, and I wouldn’t be able to do it for a while, so I decided to drive in to the back of the University City Service Center on a Saturday afternoon and see if I could get someone’s attention long enough to get a stopgap fix. Well, I was very pleased to find that Scott was happy to stop what he was doing and take a look under my car. He identified the problem, then rolled back under the car with his power screwdriver and tried fixing it, but realized there was more to the job. So he put the car on the lift, removed the damaged pan, drilled a few new holes in it, and zip-​tied the pan securely in place, all in less than 25 minutes from when I drove up there. For all this, there was no charge, but I happily gave Scott twenty bucks for his trouble and drove away more than just content. This is the kind of service we sometimes used to get decades ago but something that’s rare today, and now I think I know why the locals always seem to praise this place.

Staff was great and the customer service was a 5 star for sure! I will be back for sure.

Amazing and quality service from a Triple A service center. I got towed in the middle of the night to this location and my car was safe and sound the next day. They quickly removed my after market alarm system that caused some issues and helped me replace a new battery for free. Their prices are reasonable and they didn’t seem to take unnecessary time just to up their fee

We’ve been taking family cars here for years, and most recently I took my Honda here after experiencing trouble on the freeway after work. I pulled in as they were closing and they not only inspected my car thoroughly, they drove my car to see if they could figure out a problem… They gave a suggestion (which turned out accurate) and let me decide what to do– no pressure. Thank you 76!

Came in for a smog check, out in less than 15 minutes! The service was friendly, fast, and efficient, plus I got $ 10 off for a Unilocal check-​in. Also in a great location, as without a car you can still be walking distance of a complex that includes a lovely Coffee Bean. All around great :)

I have been to UCSC many times now. I just got my truck back from a repair today. I could not be more happy with this company. Chad took great care of my truck and was incredibly knowledgeable. They were quick, incredibly honest and amazingly thorough in getting my truck repaired and back to me! Awesome work from a customer for life

If your skin color is too dark, these people will not wait on you. I needed a smog check. I called ahead to find out exactly where to pull in. The female (Sondra?) that answered the phone said «in the back.» So I pulled into the back, and not one person came out to talk to me. But three white or Jewish customers pulled in after me and were greeted with smiles and quick acknowledgement. Screw this place. I came here because it’s close to home and their prices are reasonable, but I’ll pay twice as much for a smog before I ever come here again. I called them to let them know that I would be posting on Unilocal.Sondra apologized and offered me a discount on the smog, but I refused. No discount will remedy being made to feel unwelcome. Especially if it’s over skin color.

I’ve been a customer of the University City Service Center for a few years now. Brought my 2003 Buick to Brian, Manager of UCSC. Brian, always the pro, courteous and reliable, told me what was wrong, fixed the problem and off I went an hour later. Wether 3 years ago or today, I’ve always gotten great service, and I thought after going there all this time, I should, finally, give Brian and his Crew the credit they’re do.
Thanks guys and gal, (Sandra at the front desk), you guys are the coolest!!!
Maria Q.
University City.
San Diego, CA

Technicians are super friendly and helpful. Came through for an oil change and was quoted $ 28 something. Went to VONS to buy some groceries and came up on a coupon for a $ 19.99 oil change plus free tire rotation upon request! I LOVE THIS PLACE. (Btw, was in and out in less than 30 min on a Tuesday afternoon).

I’ve only been here once, but it was a great experience. They were friendly over the phone and said my smog cert wouldn’t be long. They got me in and out more quickly than expected and offered the 10% AAA discount (wish I’d noticed the $ 10 off Unilocal check-​in, as it is a better deal).
They’re honest, too! My $ 40 cash was still in the car; where I’d mistakenly left it in plain sight.

They are very friendly and quick with service. I love the fact that they are close to where I live too!
Thanks!

They can’t even change break pads.
I don’t know anything about cars, but we had our break pads changed here last spring in a hurry since apparently, they were totally worn out. So, they change the pads, everything is fine.
6 months later, we service our car at another place and the mechanic asks us why we didn’t change the break rotors as well. You’re supposed to do that, and he was totally appalled. It sounded like he was going to lecture us about DIY, and he was stunned to learn that we had it done professionnally. Because, you know, we suck at cars and that’s why we pay for such services.