La Mesa Auto & Tire Center

Showed up at 4:58pm, two gentlemen closing up shop at 5. Just needed quick smog.
They took my keys, pulled car into the garage, which they opened specially for me. Had my Cert and was off within 15 minutes. They could’ve turned me away but didn’t! Great service, knowledgeable, and friendly. Thanks guys ! Cheers

RUDE! I asked Carlos to ignore a certain problem that I had checked out by people I know and trust and to address another issue. He ignored my request and tried to get me to replace and repair something that has already been taken care of. I confronted him with this issue and he started barking at me and said my mechanics (friends of mine) didn’t know what they were talking about, when I had seen the work done myself.
Warning to all: DO NOT DEAL WITH CARLOS OR LA MESA AUTO & TIRE CENTER!

Great place even better staff and owner. Was told somewhere else I needed my brakes worked on when I had an oil change but did not have the time then to do it — brought it in here when visiting family and found out I did not need breaks — I still have plenty of miles left on them — very honest — think I will make them my main go to place even thought we are out of the area

I could not be happier. They are fast, honest and very fair. Can’t ask for more than that. I had been going to the Lexus dealer, and will not be doing that any more.

They don’t do email here.. I’ve been trying to talk to some one about having a car inspection.. I guess they don’t really need any business. I was hoping to be a repeat customer but quickly loosing faith in this place.. it’s like dealing with a EX. I will try one more time.

The guys here have always helped me out. I would not trust any other shop with my vehicles. I really appreciate the honesty and respect they have here. Great shop for auto repairs…

I drove 15 miles to my old neighbor hood to support local small business. They have been around since 1982 or 4. This type of Shop reminds me of going to the Parts store Or Mechanic shops from the 70’s quite nostalgic and I like that. I was not able to navigate to the coupon for the $ 29.99 smog check for vehicles 2000+ however the Owner & his partner made good on the posted price. They did tell me that this deal is only good for OCTOBER. I really appreciate the 10.00 off the usually price. It was well worth the 35 mile round trip drive to find a mechanic who sells tires and works on cars and does smog checks. ALL in one shopping here. I like that too. I might even come back for more work or tires the next time my car needs a look at. Also I may go back for my LYFT inspection. Which is coming up… I also saved that coupon for later. They offer it for FREE. great way to meet new future customers. I will give you guys a shot coupon or no coupon.

I was pricing around for smog check currently La Mesa auto & tire is running a special $ 29.99 for cars 2000 or older. I really appreciate the savings! The owners right a couple of bucks is a couple of bucks. Thank you for the great deal. Make your coupon printable or just keep a tally. Your Unilocal users appreciate you honoring your deals and we will post and boast about it for you. In the future based on my smog check interaction and speaking with the owner and mechanic and other clerk I would likely return for future automotive work. (Knocking on wood)

Went in for a smog check. Very pleasant and fast service. I’ll definitely go there again.

Did an awesome job with my smog check they made it so easy and were very efficient in the professionalism

Came yesterday to get my car checked out because it was making a weird noise. Even though they were really busy the owner Matt took the time out to check out my car real quick. He didn’t know what the sound was so he called over an other gentleman by the name of Martine. Martine heard the noise that was scaring me and told be basically my truck was getting old and some other stuff. He explained everything to me in a way I understood. Thanks guys for taking the time outta ur busy day to help me out ;)

Rude. The guy laughed at me when I said I wanted to know if they had time to check out my car since it had been leaking oil. Turns out, this was not the place I had intended to call with rave Unilocal reviews. Giving 2 stars for answering the phone. Won’t be getting my business.

Will definitely be back.
The check engine light came on so I went in to have it checked out. Matt helped me and it was nice that he was interested in the history of the car. It was a bit like talking to a family friend or uncle. He was very friendly, and seemed genuinely interested in fixing my car.

These guys are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and I will definitely be coming back for all of my service needs!

This is a competent shop. They have good diagnostics skills. What stops me from going back is the anti and offensive President Obama materials hanging on the walls. I think they would be better served if they left their political views out of their business. Of course it is their choice but I won’t be going back for now!

La Mesa Auto and Tire Center has been around for quite a few years, and for 15 of them, I’ve been a loyal customer. Since first hearing of LMATC from a mechanic friend, I’ve had Matt, Carlos and the fellas work on cars and trucks belonging to:
Me (4)
My Wife (3)
My Stepson (1)
My Father-​in-​Law (1)
No mechanic is cheap, but LMATC is reasonably priced in the middle of normal, especially for routine work such as oil changes and tire service.
More important, the fellas do an outstanding job of diagnostics ahead of repair, to save time and money and to ensure complete and satisfactory service. How good are they? I’ve called from the road, held my phone up next to an audible source of concern, and had Carlos accurately diagnose the problem and prescribe a solution that worked. Dude’s a wizard.
Matt and Carlos are businessmen, but they’re not money-​grubbers. I’ve called with problems, more than once, and had them say, «Just drop by and we’ll take a look,» and when I did, they made a quick fix at no charge.
Now, don’t all drive over there at once for the free service; remember, I’ve brought them nine cars over 15 years. But they are good guys who’ll look after your needs.

Without going into too much detail, what these guys lack in tact they make up in honesty and hard work. They came very highly recommended to me, and I want to pass that along.

Took my car in December for an oil change and tire rotation after a few coworkers recommended this place. I spoke with Carlos and he was not friendly or polite. I got a lecture on how important it is on calling and making an appointment. Got it– I apologized and told him I would call ahead of time. I left him my keys and the key for my lug nuts since they have a lock. After getting my car back they had told me that they were not able to rotate my tires. I understood and left but I didn’t not realize that they did not return my key for the lug nuts. At the end of January I got a flat tire and when AAA came I could not find the key for the lug nuts. I had to leave my car at the In N Out overnight since it was late and they couldn’t tow it (rear tire and it’s fwd). I called Carlos and immediately said «we don’t have it we gave it back.» I asked him to please look and ask around and refused as he stated «we always give them back we don’t have it.» I was really upset at this point for his lack of care. I called and spoke to the owner Matt and told me to come over and he’ll take the lug nuts off. I had to deal with going back and forth with my car trying to drive it with a flat tire and I didn’t even get an apology from them.
When I went with my car to them they tried to charge me $ 40 for taking off the lug nuts (4 at $ 10 each). I was pissed and after arguing with Carlos, Matt finally didn’t charge me. Carlos is pretty nasty and mean when it comes to dealing with him. He was rude, indifferent, and careless. Terrible. Never again.
By the way, did I mention that they replaced my license plate cover with their business plate cover WITHOUT asking for my permission?!? Terrible!
Avoid this place and especially Carlos!

Carlos was aloof, dismissive and clearly irritated about being met by a customer moments after opening the door (I had actually been waiting an hour). He smirked while asking if I had an appointment. I told him I didn’t, but had come early with hopes I could get my car smogged as soon as they opened. He rolled his eyes and told me I’d have to come back in two hours. I thanked him, told him that would not work for me and that I would have to find another smog station. He didn’t even bother to respond. I called later and spoke with the owner. I wanted to let him know his employee (possibly co-​owner) was impolite and cost him a smog, brakes and a timing belt. I didn’t get far. The owner, Matt, cut me off with a «let me stop you there. We open at 7:30 a.m. and don’t have smog equipment up and running until 8:00 a.m. (apparently, an issue caused by the state). As for Carlos, cut him some slack his wife is dying. The bottom line is we can’t make everyone happy every time». I responded I was sorry his wife has a life-​threatening illness, but as a nurse who is personaly familiar with having to work while dealing with breast cancer and its equally awful treatment, I know one can certainly still be kind when interacting with other humans (it’s a choice). Matt did not comment on my response, but thanked me for the update and told me he was sorry for losing my business. I like to patronize local, non chain establishments, so I too am sad. I wish Carlos’ wife well and hope if he sees my review that he considers being a bit nicer. Should I cross his path (you never know with a nurse), I’ll be sure to set a good example :).

I have been loyal customer at La Mesa Auto and Tire for over ten years now. These guys are really good to their customers. Seriously, Matt and Carlos and the mechanics have been excellent in their diagnosis and service.
I have referred several friends and neighbors, and they are always glad. This is a local business, not a big chain, and I have been very happy with all their work.