Platinum Auto & Smog Service

This guy is great. Master mechanic at a reasonable price. Honest and does impeccable work. Everyone in my family uses him and will continue to.

If I could give this business SIX STARS, I would!
I went in to get my car smogged after getting the catalytic converter replaced. When I mentioned it to Mr. Nguyen, he said the catalytic converter might not be reset yet. He checked. Sure enough, not ready yet. I drive, drive, drive… Come back again. Mr. Nguyen totally remembers me. He checks again. Catalytic converter not ready yet. Ok. He says to take it back to the place that did it to see what happened.
I have a hybrid so after my other mechanic checked, I had to drive the car a certain way to help the cat reset. FINALLY, third time I go back to Mr. Nguyen. I PASSED!
$ 45.
Unbelievable. What a bargain!
While I was waiting, an elderly lady was getting her car. «Done already!» she said. So this review is for her too since I’m sure she’s not online.
Mr. Nguyen is not a «Mr. Smiley Face» when he works. He’s got his nose to the grindstone and the man gets the job done. For quick service, done correctly, at the best price around, this is the place to go.

I have been a customer at Platinum Auto for 8 years… whenever there is a problem with your car you can trust that this place will tell you exactly what the problem is and not give you the run around… I have a 1997 Mustang and it has never run better :) all thanks to Hoa and his team

BEWARE!!!
My mom went to get a smog check and they purposely loosened a pipe/​hose in her car.
She said the car felt a little different and a week later the VSC and another light kicked in.
Luckily my dad knows a bit about car and found out a loose hose was the problem.
So beware!

Do not smog here these people are extremely rude. They hung up in my face twice because I said I have a bmw. They when I took my other car to them they were even ruder in person

I came to Platinum by chance a year ago for a smog check and was just pleased with the expertise shown by the staff and owner. I have had horrible experiences with dealers and other shops in the area so when my wife’s car started to make a noise in the rear I remembered the honest guys at Platinum.
The car needed a wheel bearing and some coolant hoses replaced.
We had the car back within two days (in Sat– out Mon evening), great price, great service. I am never going near a dealer again, even if I have a warranty.
Thanks Platinum.

Just had a quick smog check done by Hoa and his team. Work was done quickly, and my car was ready sooner than promised. He’s a very nice man, and was kind to my kids. I recommend without reservation.

I’ve been going here over 2 years for maintenance and repairs for my 10 year old Camry and 4 year old Prius and I could not be more pleased. As a woman it is difficult to find an auto shop that is not patronizing and trust worthy. The owner here is very honest and respectful to me. On top of that his prices are affordable and he does not try to upsell or get you to get services you don’t need. I’ve referred several friends to this place and they all thank me for it. An honest and reliable auto repair shop is a rarity and this place is a gem!

Hands down, best place to get your car serviced. Best prices, quick timing and good quality, and Hoa provided the best service. Glad I chose this place.

Do not try to smog with a modified car. Staff was extremely rude. As soon as I told my car has a modification, the guy yelled at me «get out!!» I understand the shop can refuse certain cars, but doesn’t have to be rude!

I’m so glad for finding this place since I haven’t lived in San Marcos that long. I was looking for a quality mechanic for an oil change on my camry. I found this place after great reviews. Its never too busy when you get there. The staff are kind and they price really well. My A/​C had broke and I called a few places and they quoted me 90 bucks to check for the problem that did not including the labor and parts. Here they checked it for free while I was getting an oil change and told me how much it would cost. I was sold because it was less than the 90 dollar «testing fee». I now use platinum auto for all my car troubles.

All I can say about this place is how great they are. I’ve been going to Platinum Auto since Hoa started his business. He is a master mechanic and has never steered me wrong. I am an engineer and have gone through years of mechanical training. Building engines was a passion that really wasn’t able to be scheduled into my life. With that being said I have trusted Hoa with 6+ of my personal vehicles. He maintains all my dads vehicles that are uses for commercial cleaning that have very high mileage 250k-​300k+. He has done 4 different motor swaps for me and my family.
I have personally stuck my neck on the line telling dozens of my friends to go here with issues they have and time after time he proves me correct. Most of them come to me because they know im a car guy. They give me a quote from the dealer and or another random shop and ask me «does this sound right» I always say go to Platinum. I always hear back from them
«Thanks, He ended up showing me that I didn’t need all that was said by other professionals and saved me thousands»
By now im sure you are all thinking I have to work there or something because how I am raving on about this place. But I assure you I don’t. I know its hard to find a honest, loyal, quick, and reliable place to take your vehicle. So take it from review this place is legit!
Plus they do full transmission work but unfortunately don’t work on diesels :(
All in all if I could give 6 stars I would. becasue of my experience with this place.

You know how they say it’s hard to find an honest mechanic? Well my experience with Mr. Hoa at Platinum Auto has been absolutely pain-​free and he got my car back up and running within an hour!
I brought my old crown vic into his shop one morning at 7:30am and he found that the starter was giving me all my trouble — his prices are fair and the service was fast and friendly. I know I’ll be coming here anytime I have trouble with my cars in the future!

Honest and dependable!
Called because I thought I needed new brake pads. Parts were quoted and ordered and after inspection I was told it was just the rotor and was charged much less! Love an honest mechanic!!!

I called about a week ago in a panic when my truck didn’t start the first 3 times I turned the key. It started on the 4^th, but I’m so not used to this — even though (to put this in perspective) my truck is almost 12 years old AND has over 210k miles on it. I called right away and he said he could fit me in. I drove up to San Marcos from SD to have him check it out. Turns out I did need a new starter — which he was able to find one that same afternoon, replace it and return my car to me. Especially since I’m so pregnant, it was even that more important to me to have a car that will start when I need it to and not leave me stranded waiting for a tow. I trust Platinum Auto & Smog Service to keep me (and baby to be) safe on the road!

Excellent, efficient, fairly priced reliable mechanic. We drive from s.e. sd 2 utilize platinum auto because we know they’re trustworthy. Makes car «problems» so much more tolerable when u have a reliable mechanic. I encourage all our friends 2 utilize this business. We’ve been trusting Platinum Auto with all our nissans & Toyotas since 2004!