This shop's smog licence isn't current with the state. Confirm with the shop before you rely on this listing.
Price
Call for price
Hours
Open Mon–Fri
Station type
Test & Repair
Appointments
Walk-ins welcome
Hours
- Monday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
Languages
English
Payment
Cash, Credit Card
What to expect at John's Automotive Care La Mesa
John's Automotive Care La Mesa is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as a Test & Repair smog station in La Mesa, so it can run the inspection and, if your car fails, diagnose and fix it in the same shop. It is not STAR certified, so if your DMV renewal notice says "STAR Station Required" you will need a different station.
Walk-ins are welcome. Most smog checks take 15 to 30 minutes, and most visits are closer to 20.
What to bring
Your registration or DMV renewal notice
It says whether the car needs a STAR station.
The car, with the check engine light off
On a 2000-or-newer car, a lit check engine light fails the test on its own.
A way to pay
The $8.25 state certificate is paid on top of the test when the car passes, unless the station's price or coupon includes it.
What if I fail?
- John's Automotive Care La Mesa can diagnose and repair the problem in the same shop, then retest the car.
- Each station sets its own retest price, so ask before the first test.
- BAR's Consumer Assistance Program pays up to $1,450 toward emissions repairs for income-eligible owners.
7447 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942
Get directions →Hours
- Monday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday
- 7 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Also listed on
Other stations near John's Automotive Care La Mesa
San Diego Top Tune
6982 University Ave
Euro Auto Tech & Smog
7633 El Cajon Blvd # 217
Speedy Smog Of La Mesa
7482 El Cajon Blvd, Suite B
Trust Auto Repair & Body Works
7860 El Cajon Blvd
La Mesa Smog Check
7860 El Cajon Blvd #1
Nearby cities in San Diego County
Questions about John's Automotive Care La Mesa
John's Automotive Care La Mesa is open Monday 7 AM to 5:30 PM; Tuesday 7 AM to 5:30 PM; Wednesday 7 AM to 5:30 PM; Thursday 7 AM to 5:30 PM; Friday 7 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so call ahead if you are cutting it close.
John's Automotive Care La Mesa accepts Cash, Credit Card.
John's Automotive Care La Mesa has held a BAR smog license since 2018. You can verify the license status at bar.ca.gov.
John's Automotive Care La Mesa has not published a price on SmogCheckDeals. The Bureau of Automotive Repair puts the statewide average at $69.16 as of August 2026, about $65 for a 2000-or-newer vehicle and $73 for 1999-or-older, plus the $8.25 certificate fee. Call (619) 461-3600 for a quote.
John's Automotive Care La Mesa does not take online bookings here, but walk-ins are welcome. Call (619) 461-3600 to check the wait.
Staff at John's Automotive Care La Mesa speak English.
The closest alternatives in La Mesa are San Diego Top Tune (0.7 mi) and Euro Auto Tech & Smog (0.8 mi). Both are listed further up this page with their ratings and hours.
How we get this data: BAR licenses and STAR status, Google hours and ratings, coupons published by the station.
Verify this station’s license and STAR standing at bar.ca.gov.
Own this shop? Add photos
BAR field office: San Diego • Licensed since 2018