Encinitas Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair

I’ve been bringing my BMW here for 8 years. They have always been honest, kept their word and have done the job correctly. Their prices are competitive. I have never felt ‘ripped off’ which is a typical feeling I’ve gotten from past mechanics elsewhere. They do offer a 10% discount with AAA. I have used their shuttle service and never had to wait too long. Ken has dealt with my ‘drama’ and has always been extremely patient and kind. I would strongly recommend them!

I had a broken latch on my Volvo tailgate and brought it here for convenience reasons. $ 110 to tell me the latch was broken (duh), $ 170 for a new part, and $ 134 for labor to replace the part, took them nine business days from the day I brought it in until it was fixed. Was told they ‘dropped the ball’ on checking up on the ordered part. $ 404 total for a replaced tailgate latch and I had to drive the car with nothing more than a bungie cord holding my tailgate down for two weeks. They overcharged for the work they did and took to long to complete it. Won’t be returning.

I REALLY DO NOT recommend going here AT ALL. They OVERCHARGE and TAKE TOO LONG to diagnose and repair the car. I was suggested to take my BMW to the them by AAA. I told I would receive a 10% discount and they would work on my car within an hour after arrival. I didn’t receive a discount and it took 5 hours to find out the diagnosis of the car. As soon as I walked in the door a woman was complaining about how she needed her car for work. She already paid her fees and was told her car would be finished a week ago. They charge a $ 55 service fee just for them to diagnose the car. My car’s starter needed to be replace and they told me it would be $ 900 just for the starter. When I looked in my car, parts and my things in the car were tossed around like crazy… I decided to tow the car to MIDAS where don’t charge for a diagnosis and they replaced the starter for $ 600 in the same day.

I just went in for an oil change– they were extremely nice and professional. Not only did they have my car done when they said they would but when they found a couple things (nothing major) there was no high pressure sales tactics. Also competitive prices especially for Encinitas Coastal!

Overpriced and didn’t diagnose the issues correctly. I came in with a functioning car and left with $ 2K less in the bank and a car that I had to donate to charity.

Friendly, prompt service. They are very thorough and I would have to say, very comparable in terms of the type of service that you would expect from a dealer. They will do overall inspections of the vehicle systems, so you may get a report that makes recommendations for additional or future repairs.
They are an AAA recommended service center, so if you are a AAA member, you get 10% your bill just by showing your card!

I had an emergency situation crop up with my car while traveling through Encinitas. These guys gave me good advice, dealt honestly and fairly, and did their best to serve my needs despite the non-​scheduled nature of events that day.

My first time here and glad I went.
I have 3 cars that required smog certs. After going to the place closest to home and having the usual discourteous experience with the worker there, I registered my car at AAA. At AAA I found a discount coupon for Encinitas Foreign. Not only cheaper but recommended by AAA!
I called and had an appointment in an hour. I arrived on time and was greeted courteously and taken right in. The car passed and was done within 20 minutes. AND IT ONLY COST $ 38! The helpful manager was not only pleasant but pointed out that my car is due for an oil change. I did not have time for that now but will definitely go back there for it soon.
For comparison, the same diagnostic service on my other two cars cost $ 69 and $ 49.
Not only cheaper, but friendly!
I recommend this place highly.

Very nice, friendly and clean. Prices for VW oil change were spot on par with the dealership garage but they didn’t try to sell me on unnecessary services. Installed the right brand oil filter too! (ie: they didn’t cut corners). I’m pleased. I’ll return again.

This place consistently offers exceptional service. They’re totally honest and work the problem from start to finish. I have brought my car here over five times, and each time they handled my car repairs with professionalism and efficiency. Trust me, bring your car here.

If you don’t trust dealerships, and you require quality servicing and repairs, this is the north coastal place to bring all of your cars. They do; smog checks, to transmissions, to electronic diagnosis, practically anything you can think of. I’ve been a customer since 1991. Leo & Julie run a tight ship! I think the negative reviews were from people with unreasonable expectations. Just sayin’!

My panties are now officially in a wad after today and it is time to update my review of Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair (EDFAR). They lose a star and are operating at the lowest level.
I must start with the negatives here.
EDFAR lures you in with oil changes, then they give you a laundry list of items to fix and their prices are not competitive. I called my other mechanic with the list of suggestions and he went, one by one and tore up their list. For example, they said that my air filter needs changing. Mechanic says, look at the screws, they are covered in dirt and there is no possible way that they removed the screws holding it on or there would be tool marks on the residue.
They participate in a program to subsidize smog repairs. I had failed the smog test at another shop so I had to use them or another participating shop to use the program. For years I had smog issues and I knew that the catalytic converter had giant holes in it. So I asked how much the repair would be if it needed a catalytic converter and the cost was nearly a grand, of which I would be liable for the first $ 500.
A day later they call and tried to sell me a freaking tire. They claimed the wear on the tire made it dangerous to use on their machine so I picked up the van, I already know their suggestive selling procedures and no way was I buying a tire. I was floored, they are ruthless with their suggestive selling.
I then take my van on the road, get it really hot and it passes smog by a hair. The tires did not look unsafe to either of the other smog stations, me or my husband.
But that turned out to be really a lucky break, now I need to tell you guys how much they would have overcharged me and the state of CA for that catalytic converter. You see, I had to smog again and I went straight to a company that only sells catalytic converters. I got the bad one replaced for $ 380 which was much lower than the grand that EDFAR wanted to overcharge me.
My initial review praised them for cheap oil changes, this was worth the two stars that I gave them. And I am a creature of habit so I made an appointment to bring the van in today. Yesterday they looked my account up so they knew exactly who I was but today they let me waste time getting the van in there and refused to changed the oil because of a my last review, which actually praised their oil change services. They will not get another chance to raise their stars up like I gave them today.
Never again, and if you like working with an honest company then I would recommend that you STAY AWAY!

Awesome shop! Great service! Got me in for a last minute service and the price was less than expected. Stoked I found my new auto shop.

These guys (especially ken and dean) saved the day for me! I busted my drivers side mirror off and had my car broken into (at LA Fitness) smash and grab style, all in a couple days. They took care of both issues quickly and it was much more affordable than what I expected.
Very grateful!

I am thoroughly impressed with Leo, the owner of Encinitas Foreign and Domestic. He has integrity and cares deeply about his business and their clients. It is so nice and refreshing to find a place that is operated by someone with such integrity. When it comes to repairs /​upkeep on your car, you want to feel that you can fully trust the people servicing it. We had an issue after an oil change and were confronted with a frustrating situation and when Leo found out he followed up and made sure that we were happy. It was a situation that had us questioning our loyalty, but alas it has been restored and we will be going back to Encinitas Foreign & Domestic in the future.

My wife took her Subaru here. The car had an intermittent check engine light that no one could prevent, plus it was having increasing difficulty starting.
Encinitas Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair took care of it — they actually found the simple solution to fix the check engine and located a loose wire on the starter that resolved its problem too.
Overall this was the best experience in repair this car has enjoyed — and the car runs very smoothly now too.
We highly recommend these folks!

These guys are good. Super nice, thorough, and timely.
Some folks get frustrated that they try to «up sell» them, but really they’re doing their jobs and letting you know what’s wrong with your car. I never felt pressured to do anything there, but I end up getting all my auto needs taken care of here.
Solid crew, go check them out.

They do a good job but you will pay the price. Very expensive. If you have an unlimited car repair budget than this is your spot. Otherwise find a local mechanic that can do the same job for half the price.

My wife got an OK smog check and oil change. However she was told she needed a new battery (this battery would turn over an 18 wheeler). Also was told that she needed a new air filter (we had replaced it the day before). They gotta get 8 out of ten women on this one!
Watch out!
Alan F.

First of all, I wanted to reserve all my Unilocal reviews for places I eat at only… BUT I had to make an exception. Encinitas Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair gets my first 5 star review.
Mechanic places are always a bit on that shady side, but over here, you get nothing but professional and honest auto repair done in a timely manner.
My sister and family also take their cars here, and I can say after 2 cars and years of searching and searching for trustworthy auto technicians, this is it!