So I
needed to get a smog check and after doing a little googling, found out that the cost can vary significantly. The best deals seem to be found on SFAdvertiser.com ($29.95 for the check, $8.25 for the certificate, plus $2 to electronically transmit the results to the DMV). Other places charge upward of $80 for the whole shebang.
I tried one of the shops from the Adverstiser–RPM Auto…big mistake. I made an appointment, showed up on time, waited for half an hour, and then was told that they still couldn’t get to me and unapologetically advised that I should come back another day. Thanks for wasting my time. Other customers there seemed to have been waiting a long time too.
So…I tried San Francisco Test Only Smog on 1998 Market St (at Duboce). They take VISA/MC, had me in and out in less than 20 minutes, are open 7 days a week (8a-6p M-F, 9a-4p Sa-Su), and give you a nice little chocolate as a treat for passing your test. Be advised that they don’t offer free re-test.