Kims Smog & Auto Service

I have been coming here for smog for the past six years and I have never had a problem.
The most recent one was the last Friday when I drove past it and saw that it was not busy, so pulled in and the nice lady came out to greet me. Once she learned what I needed, she said $ 40 including certificate, so that was not a bad deal and I did not even have to worry about using coupon at other places. I then saw an unfamiliar Technician connecting the diagnostic computer (OBD) to the car’s computer port and found out that Mr. Sam Kim retired and they took over the place about one year ago. She then told me that it would take about 10 min to complete the job, but it was done in about 6 min. I was surprised that the Technician did not even measure the exhaust and she explained to me that the regulation changed more than one year ago, for 2000 and newer cars like mine, no longer measures the exhaust on the dyno. She then gave me the paperwork for me to double-​check the information on it is correct (it was). Over all a pleasant experience and would continue to do the SMOG check here.

Kim is super nice, extra helpful, and went way out of his way for a simple smog check. Friendly staff and comfortable couch! I recommend them highly for smog checks and maintenance. Like all small businesses, you are dealing with a real person with a life and the limits of space-​time, so if you need something in short order, you may want to go to Pep Boys or something. But because he is a real person, he is easy to get along with. Kim is caring, too. If I didn’t have a car that needs a lot of special parts, I would take it to him for all routine service.

I pass by this auto shop almost everyday on my way to work. The shop looks a little bit scary from outside with a lot of old cars in the yard. So I didn’t even consider this place. When I Unilocaled nearby auto shop, Kim’s Smog showed up and the rating was not bad. I decided to give a try for my oil change. The owner was friendly and inside looks much better than I expected. The service was quick for a $ 25 oil change. I guess I will visit again.

Star Certified.
Passed my smog. Ms. Kim was friendly and got my smog done in less than 15 minutes!

Mr. Kim was pretty straight forward. My 87 Mustang 5.0 had failed smog several times — even after tuning and replacing multiple parts. I needed to have my car repaired at a CA Smog certified shop.
I called Kim’s on the phone and they said they would give me a discount to $ 50 including the certificate and a free re-​test within 10 days if I did not pass.
It’s not the nicest or cleanest of facilities, but they have the equipment and know how to get the job done. After the initial smog test, I did not pass.
Since my car is a collectible 28 years old and just about every other part of the emissions had been replaced, I figured it would be the catalytic converters. I purchased the last available one in the US in the attic from a Ford Dealership in TX and had it in the hatch should that be the issue.
I was charged $ 85 for the diagnostic– which would be credited to the repair should I have it done there. After they ran their tests, it indeed turned out to be the catalytic converters.
The called me to let me know and said it would be $ 150 (including the diagnostic fee). I said go ahead, and the car passed smog after a 13 month ordeal and 5 smog tests. [Avoid the CA Smog Referee– it might be free, but they are way more strict and more difficult to get an appt slot].
I was very happy and would have gladly given them 5 starts– however, when I picked up the car, my original catalytic converter + H pipe were not in the hatch. I went to ask Mr. Kim that, but he said they were keeping them and that’s why it was so ‘cheap’.
Since I have a bolt on cat-​back exhaust system, it really only takes 15 minutes to bolt on the h pipe/​catalytic converter assembly. Given diagnostics and the labor– $ 150 imo was more than fair. I never agreed, nor was I told that the catalytic converters would be kept. That’s about $ 150 – 200 to turn in the 2 cats, 2 pre-​cats + H pipe assembly. So that I don’t feel entirely happy about. Plus, I noticed that 1 of the exhaust pipes was not centered in the rear valance. (I came back 2 weeks later to have them center and they took care of it quickly).

An honest repair guy. I brought in a steering wheel issue that dealership said would cost hundreds of dollars and he said it didn’t need repair. Had an issue on another car and he offered repair work at a fair price and delivered the work on time.

What a waste of time. On the phone they told me it would take 15 minutes. When we got in, they said 10 – 15 minutes, so we decided to wait for the car. After 20 minutes, the car was still outside and had not been worked on. We went in to ask what was going on and they said 15 more minutes. 25 minutes after that, they still hadn’t called. When we went in to see what was happening, they said they were done but forgot to call. Got home to find that they gave us the wrong inspection report. I called to see what the issue was and they told me to come back in to fix it and get another inspection to correct the problem. When we arrived, it turns out that they had just given us the wrong form. All in all, everything took over an hour and completed wasted our time. I will never be back after this.

Very satisfied with the smog repair and the low, low price. Yes, he is straight forward but his work and prices speaks for itself. I would definitely recommend Kim’s Auto and will use them for all my smog needs.

My friend got some repairs done from Kim’s Smog and auto center and mentioned that it cost him significantly less than what the dealer had quoted so I decided to get my next oil change and break inspection done at Kim’s. I was quoted $ 25 for a conventional oil change which was 20% more than Jiffy lube or Firestone but as he was going to do a free brake inspection I went with it. I went around 11:30 a.m. and was asked to come back after an hour. An hour later another vehicle was undergoing a smog test so I had to wait for my turn. The oil change went smoothly without any hitches, next came the break inspection. A tire came off and the breaks were visually inspected and I was told they look fine. Other places where I have got free brake inspections done they specifically tell you how much % thread you have left along with the thickness of the rotors so they do a very detailed job and give you sufficient data points to make an informed decision. Here the inspection is an eyewash. I explained that over the past year my brakes have become weak and I needed more stopping distance so if it is not the pads he should check for some other issue in the break system. What I am told next leaves me stumped. Can’t I just drive with a little more space between the vehicle in front to compensate for the weaker stopping power of my vehicle? WTF — is that a recommendation? I’m not sure how this place has such high ratings but my opinion is that Kim is as dumb as a doorknob. No lets change that at least a door knob can be built to turn in only one direction which is also too much to ask of Kim who seems to be as dumb as a block of wood.
Save yourself some headache. Go to a Jiffy lube or a Firestone with a coupon from their site where you can get an oil change done for about 20 bucks. At least they will bother to reset your maintenance required light on the dashboard after they have performed the oil change. Yup, this simple operation was also not done and had to be done by me. What a complete rip off.

So I accidentally left my smog papers in this shop after shopping around to get a good deal for changeing the catalytic converter. Called back to see if i did, the guy said i did not need them untill i fixed my car. It felt like he did not want to give me the papers untill I agreed taking my car there, because even when i went back to get them they act like they did not know where they were at. Whatever over all dont recommend this place.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!
Took my car to get a break inspection done and to get it certified and he messed up my paper work, so I waited in line for 2 hours at the dmv for nothing!

Mr. Kim is straight to the point. No BS here. I’ve gone here twice to smog two cars, and left here a happy customer.
There was a repair which needed to be addressed and he was upfront and honest about everything my vehicle needed.
I was in and out both times in under 20 minutes!

This is my first time at this business. My car needed a smog check. This place is small and hidden BUT it does great work. I was in and out of there in less than 30 minutes. They were very kind and helpful. I would recommend and will go back in the future.

Warning — this place will try to scam you into unnecessary repairs.
Took my Toyota Pick Up to this place yesterday and «Mr. Kim» told me I needed a new catalytic convertor. I told him I would take the car to my regular service place. He was very rude and at first refused to give me my keys. Only after a great deal of «discussion» did he agree to give them to me.
Took the truck to my regular mechanic today and he told me the catalytic convertor was fine and that I had been scammed out of $ 40 for the smog check. My mechanic took the truck to the smog check place he regularly uses and the truck passed — no problems.

The place is hidden and un-​noticeable… I was there for registration. The business info tells you the shop open until 6, my work finishes 5:30 & I could be there 5:45. I called the shop and made sure that’s ok. The shop is very kindness, the man told me that anytime before 6 is ok. The owner (?)/​man was very nice. I highly recommend this place!!!

i went there for a quick smog !! and boy did i get that out in less than 20 mins !!!
the place does look a bit run down but i could careless… because he is honest, super nice and has great prices !
what more can you ask for? nothing !!!
i will never never go to another place !!! :)

Honest, fair, and efficient. I got an oil change and an air filter for a great price. He saw me last minute and got my car done right before he closed. No complaints here.

needed to grab a smog check before heading to the Torrance DMV and found Kim’s Smog Check. super close… pulled up with no wait.
waiting room is really dingy… this place is down and dirty but they do a good job.
in and out in 15 minutes. make sure to grab a 20% coupon off of his website.

The first time I came here was for a smog check. I found Kim’s Smog & Auto Service off of Unilocal.I called ahead of time, to ask how much it would be. They price was pretty good, so I came in after I hung up the phone.
When I got there. it was around 9am on a sat. It wasn’t too busy. There was only one person ahead of me. I was out within 30 minutes.
The second time I came here was for an oil change. I came in around 9am on a sat. there were 2 people ahead of me. One for a smog check, and another for something else. Luckily there were two stalls and two employees.
While one of the employees Edgar was doing the oil change, he called me over and pointed out that my car needed new tires and that I needed to eventually replace my struts. The tires were self explanitory. 3 of them were almost bald. 1 of the 3 was ready to blow at any second. The struts he pointed out how all four of them were leaking.
These guys are pretty good, and I would come back again.

So I went in today for a smog test.
It was about 48 bucks.
The place is tiny, I suggest going in the morning to avoid waiting too long.
The lady who worked there barely said anything to me, except, «Do you the DMV papers?» and «Pay here.»
The experience was so-​so.