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Tri City Smog
- Vehicles
- Fair
- Test
“Mark was a really solid guy, helped me despite no appointment and done within 25 mins- was refreshing to just meet a good person who legit takes pride in what they do”
Best Car Inspection & Emissions Testing in Vista, CA
24 stations listed · 19 in Vista · 15 open weekends · 18 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
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North County Automotive
- Team
- Feel
- Vehicle
“Their new larger location is further from us but their excellent service is worth the drive as we know the job will be done right the first time and at a fair price.”
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Auto Smog Services
- Credit
- Pay
- DMV
“I thought I was going to spend an arm and a leg receiving the smog however felt the price I was charged was extremely reasonable, especially for being a walk in.”
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Advantage Automotive / Utvs
“Michael is the best mechanic I have ever had, I've been having him service mine and my husbands and my sons car for over 5 years, we will never go any where else”
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Vinh Phat Auto Repair & Muffler
- Driving
- Towed
- Engine
“I've gone to him a few times already and I can trust that he is giving me honest feedback about my car and charging me really great prices for his services.”
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RC Auto & Smog
- Mechanic
- Team
- Honest
“I had taken my car to another shop to get my brakes done, but they couldn't get my brakes to work right and they actually suggested I take it to RC Auto.”
Listed for drivers in and around Vista, CA, these 24 shops carry out emissions and inspection work. What each one says about its station license, hours and retest policy comes from its own website; ratings and quotes come from public reviews.
Area overview: Vista, CA
Of the 24 stations we list here, 19 are in Vista itself and 5 come from towns including Oceanside (1, 5 mi), Encinitas (1, 10 mi) and Temecula (1, 22 mi). The stations on this page are rated from 4.2 to 5.0 across 2,396 reviews; 15 have 50 or more reviews and 18 are rated 4.5 or higher. When customers rate these stations on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (93%), quality (80%) and value (56%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the stations on this page are "fair", "honest" and "diagnosis". 15 are open on Saturdays and 1 on Sundays. The services the stations on this page list most often on their websites are brake repair (2), check engine light (2), oil change (2) and wheel alignment (2). 2 list staff certifications (ASE) and 8 have a BBB rating of A or A+. 17 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 43 years. 1 offers financing; 2 give free estimates; 2 are family- or locally-owned and 5 list coupons or special offers. 1 has Spanish-speaking staff. We count these figures across the stations on this page; distances are straight-line, and hours and prices change, so confirm the details with the station before you visit.
Can I book a test online with shops listed for Vista?
4 of the 24 shops here take bookings online. Some stations work on a queue instead, which is fine early in the month and painful at the end of it. If you can book, take the first slot of the day and you will be out before the line forms.
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Advanced Auto Repair
- Truck
- Mechanic
- Job
“My car broke down in the parking lot next door and they were flexible and helpful to move the car over into their lot and got my alternator replaced quickly.”
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X-Ray Smog & Auto Repair INC
“It turns out the repair shop saved a buck by putting in the wrong kind and figured they'd never see me again (because I'm new to town and they're near the DMV).”
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Eazy Smog Plus Llc.
- Check
- Pay
- Price
“Very nice and professional!”
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MS Auto & Smog
- Job
- Price
“Very friendly and honest work super great service have a small crew but these two guys make the right team for the shop had brakes and oil change done super quick and they turned the car around for me made sure no finger prints where on the car while...”
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Auto Smog Specialist
- Knowledge
- Owner
- Check
“This type of station is not permitted to do repairs but technician is very knowledgeable of what is probable cause of a failure and can direct you to a remedy.”
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Cesar's Auto Mechanics
“I walked into Cesar's auto to get a smog check and an oil change on my Acura TL and he finished in a flash it took about 45 minutes to finish everything.”
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Antonio Romero Auto Repair
- Labor
- Prices
- Vehicle
“I recommend Antonio Romero Auto repair, because I have used it for more than 9 years, he is very honest, has an excellent service, is fast and has the best prices in OC”
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Shadowridge Auto Service
- Mechanic
- Vehicle
- Price
“After my 32 years of driving a vehicle, a Baja bug 67 with a 1600 motor in it my first vehicle all the way up until my 2004 Chevy Silverado this is the only place that I would ever take my vehicle ever again in my entire life if I move I'm going to b...”
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Ocampo Performance LLC
“My splash shield was missing a screw since I ran over something on the freeway and I needed to get it fix right away and they definitely helped me out right away.”
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Carlos Auto Repair
- Mechanic
- Prices
“Super good mechanic, always super honest service, friendly, attentive, just like his employees, he always finds the exact problem that causes the fault, very friendly and above all, it is a family business which will receive treatment as such, super ...”
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Heras Auto Shop
- Price
- Quote
“I went here thinking that I needed a muffler for my 1990 Corolla, but Heras immediately concluded that a muffler was unnecessary and that I just had an exhaust leak in my resonator.”
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Vista Star Smog
“Prompt helpful service.”
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Wizard Auto Repair
- Pricing
- Mechanic
“Juan is an excellent mechanic, honest and very reasonable rates.”
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Rigo's Auto & Tire
- Mechanic
- Prices
“I bought a car at the auction, apparently in good condition, but it had many details, there was no smog, the check engine light was on, it did not have a thermostat, several sensors, the front rotors and brake pads were already very old.”
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ABC Smog
“Love the place, i noticed that there's a few comments that speak very negatively about these guys, listen, when somebody gets mad because their car failed, they shouldn't seek revenge by leaving such ribald reviews, the smog techs are just doing thei...”
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Mera Auto Repair
- Prices
“Very nice people and affordable prices!”
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Encinitas Smog Center
- Vehicle
- Coffee Shop
- 30 Minutes
“Not only are they cheaper than the other local option (I called ahead to compare prices before deciding to go here), they are fast and it's easy to schedule an appointment.”
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Oceanside Tire and Service Center Tire Pros
- Drive
- Brand
- Oil
“Great shop, good atmosphere, positive attitude among employees, they were quick to respond to my service request, and had me back on the road within an hour”
Why these companies made our list
What customers say about stations in Vista
- “I've been using x-ray smog since they started, Gabriel and Cesar have been doing my smogs for 15 years, they are honest upfront and worth every penny!” — customer of X-Ray Smog & Auto Repair INC
- “The staff was incredibly professional and courteous, which made the smog check process hassle-free.” — customer of Auto Smog Services
- “The owner is extremely kind and professional. We came for a routine smog check and he was extremely helpful !” — customer of Auto Smog Specialist
- “Definitely will recommend to others! I was in and out with Smog check done and passed within 30 minutes!” — customer of Tri City Smog
- “Excellent customer service. Helped fix a smog issue and was very courteous.” — customer of MS Auto & Smog
Excerpts from public reviews of the stations listed on this page.
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