Luis Lopez Automotive

These guys overcharged me and couldn’t solve my problem. I went here out of convenience — it’s down the street from my house — and it was absolutely not worth it.
After having brake shoes replaced at Luis Lopez– FOR $ 900 BECAUSE I’M YOUNG AND THEY TRICKED ME — my brakes were still being very weird, doing the same thing I brought them in for. I came back to say «these are still making crazy noises» and they claimed not to hear the noises.
So, fed up, I brought the car to my usual shop, (farther away) where they immediately said «oh yeah that crazy noise, you need all new stuff» I said «i just got all new stuff! I spent $ 900 on all new stuff.» They said «WHAT? This is awful we would have done that for $ 450, and they gave you cheap parts!»
My mechanic called Luis Lopez and told him to stop using the brand of brake shoes he was using, that they are cheap and known to be terrible. Then I took the phone and asked Luis him why he charged me $ 900, that this place had quoted me $ 450 and I wondered what the markup was. We got in a screaming fight!
I’m a poor young babysitter and they cheated me out of my savings.
And, I STILL feel unsafe on the road!!!
**** this all happened in 2014, and I’m still so upset with them that I’m writing this review now.
Don’t be fooled by their cute muffler robots. I went there for the muffler robots! I’m sure Luis has many nice relationships with his regulars but for me Luis Lopez is an insensitive swindler who took advantage of my lack of expertise. It took me nine months to recover financially from this incident. He birthed some anger into the world!

his is a review of his attitude as I never got my car looked at. I was asked to bring my car in Tuesday Am so I could have an oil leak checked and come up with a plan to get it fixed before I headed home to san francisco on Saturday. I got there and was told he was a guy short. Ok can I bring it in later? no how about his afternoon? no. Well I’m in kind of a tight spot can you recommend anyone I“m new in town and don’t know any shops? no there are plenty of other shops go to one of those.
Guy, who I assume was Luis, had not one shred of being sorry that I came for an appointment and was not being helped. In a bad situation as I had to head of town in just a few days, and could not detect one ounce of empathy in any way. It was like I had an appointment, brought my car over, and his attitude was can’t help you tough luck.
So for all I know he might be a terrific mechanic. The problem with a shop like this is my guess if you run into any problems don’t expect any kind of common courtesy or fair treatment. What is, is what is. Good luck.

Always come here for my oil change, exceptional service and reasonable pricing. Love that they also add air to my tires and check and clean my a/​c filters too

I’ve visited the shop twice now and trust their work. I don’t know much about cars, but Luis Jr. is very good at explaining the work that will be done and up front about cost over the phone. I’ve visited to have my oil changed, brake shoes replaced and fuel vapor canister replaced on my ’05 Sentra. He’s given me a heads up on work that will eventually need to be done, but doesn’t try to scare me into having it done right there and then (much appreciated). He will even text when your car is ready! Very pleased with the timeliness and quality of the work.
If you’re looking for a family business that cares about the Atwater Village community, I suggest you check them out :)

My first time coming here. The owner is awesome, very nice man. Came in for an oil change and it only took about 20 minutes. Service was exceptional. Not to mention the place is a renovated pls gas station, so it’s very cool looking. They have free postcards and local news. I will definitely be back here!

Small shop, with car dealer prices. This is why he’s always available to take your money… and fix your car.
I’ve gone to him a few times because the other mechanics were too busy. He’s always fixed my car, except for once. He checked my car, but couldn’t find the problem. And he still charged me, just to say, «We can’t find the problem.» It was a nominal fee, however, other mechanics have never charged for not being able to find the problem.

Luis Lopez has been taking great care of me for almost a decade! I had an old beat up Dodge Spirit that they helped me keep alive for much longer than should have been possible. Now they service my Honda Element and I couldn’t be happier or more satisfied. I know that I can trust Luis Jr., Sr. and all their guys to treat my car like their own. I dated a mechanic for a few years and she told me that all the prices they gave me were fair and that all the suggestions they made were right on. I’m so happy that this place was recommended to me when I first moved to LA!

Having moved from NYC, I just learned how to drive last year and got my first flat tire last week. Luis Lopez Automotive is a professional, easy to work with business. I dealt with Luis himself who has an office where you can go over prices and options. They accept all major credit cards and cash. And while you’re waiting you can enjoy the whimsical muffler men that Luis builds himself!
Because of some of the Unilocal reviewers who said they had to wait or were not serviced I called in advance to make sure there was availability. Luis answered the phone promptly and patiently walked me through finding the information on my tires so he could know what size and type I needed. I said I was concerned that I should replace both front tires so he said I should just come in for him to check it out. He was very friendly and made me feel at ease which means a lot to me because I often have anxiety dealing with people who I don’t know very well.
Luis told me my other tires were all in new and good condition and we went over options and prices for replacing the flat. We went with the Falkien Ziex ZE950 which matched my rear tires. It was around 5pm and he said he could have the tire in early the next morning.
He called the next morning around 8:30am and I drove over on the spare. There are two waiting chairs outside the office so I sat and took pictures of the muffler men. One person before me was being helped, but soon they tended to my car and I had paid and was out of there in a little under 30 minutes. They also added air to all of my tires.
Tire: $ 67.90
Labor: $ 15
Tax: 6.11
Total: 89.01
I’m sure you can get a tire changed for a little less at some other places, and probably for more, too! But, I feel confident knowing they take credit cards and operate as a legit business. I’d much rather come to a neighborhood staple like Luis Lopez than go to a big chain like Pep Boys (and the Pep Boys near me did not have the best reviews) so if I have any other car troubles I’ll definitely come back.

My father and I have taken our cars to this shop for yrs. They are honest people and do a great job!!! Can be a bit pricey but they do a excellent job it’d worth it!!!

I’ve taken my Pontiac Vibe into Luis’s shop twice, and both times have had a great experience, walked away with impeccable service at a reasonable price. Luis Jr. and Sr. have been in the neighborhood for decades. They are trustworthy, and have earned a loyal customer. Highly recommend!

Nothing but a good experience so far!
Took my car in to get an oil change. Luis was very courteous and straightforward. When my car was almost ready, I get a call from Luis saying that he recommended that I change my air filter. Spent less than $ 50 for an oil change and a new air filter.
I would definitely recommend!

Thank you thank you thank you! You just saved my butt! I was running late as always, my tire looked pretty flat. I drove in and they had me back on the road in 15 minutes. So nice to know that a place like this still exists. Fast, friendly and honest! Thanks guys.

Had my car break down on freeway and needed a shop in the area to try to fix it that day to in order to drive back home with a friend that night. Took a chance and brought it to Luis Lopez Automotive and they were extremely professional & helpful — explained every part breaking in the car what needed to be replaced and why, and got me and my beloved car on the road that day and safely home. The price was very fair too. I would definitely recommend this shop and use it in the future — 5 stars!!!

Luis is great. Very reliable. I am a female and feel like I’m being treated well every time I come in. I refer him to everyone. Don’t let the negative reviews sway you — it’s a busy shop and he does excellent work.

I 100% trust these guys to take care of and fix my cars. Luis Jr & Sr have proven to be probably the most thorough, honest, and straightforward mechanics I’ve dealt with. For about 3 years now.
I’ve been using Unilocal for a long time — but this is my very 1^st review because, honestly, it really bugged me to see some bad reviews here that (my opinion) I read as «misdirected anger at unpleasant news» rather than an «assessment of a bad business».
Bad business is so NOT my experience here with this family:
I’m a regular customer of these mechanics because I believe this shop is run by a skilled and ETHICAL family. I feel «covered» and more than secure because I know, based on my history with them, that they are being thorough and honest about the «health» of my cars.
And seriously… genuinely… how cool is that?!?
Again, bad business is so NOT my experience here. For example, l:
Luis Jr told me in his straightforward way, some not great news about an ongoing air conditioning issue with my Jetta Diesel TDI. He said that they could fix it… BUT that I might be better off to have checked out by the dealer first — simply because it might end up costing me less for the dealer to do it, depending on some variables, which he then explained clearly.
Come on — THAT’S «customer first» service.
I’ve taken both of our cars in for different things over the last couple of years, because, again, bad business is so NOT my experience here: 1^st time out, they went above and beyond to figure out a weird electrical issue with my older SUV that kept resetting the computer which was holding up my (procrastinated) smog test. Really. Above and beyond to get it figured out.
So. if Unilocal thinks my review is too good and «culls it» (tho they left those odd 1 star reviews), perhaps the culling dept can look to see that I’m a real customer as I have even referred quite a few friends to my mechanic on Facebook. Which they can track. Ha. ast week

I walked in with, literally a 3 minute problem in the middle of the day,
and was shunned away for them not having a spare moment
to give a quick hand. I had 10 bucks ready… screw em.
too bad cuz they are the closest shop to my home. u lose buddy…

Louis’ Sr. and Jr. obviously care more about their reputation than a quick buck. We’ve gone to them for years with my wife’s beat-​up Toyota and now my stupid Prius, and they simply get our cars fixed and charge for the time and parts. Every time they’ve been straight-​forward, charming and quick. I’m really surprised by the one-​star reviews– Everybody around here likes this place, from what normal conversations tell me. I guess Atwater people aren’t Unilocalers.
ALSO:
There are robots made from mufflers working here, I swear.

actually its what Unilocal does! It helps people know about a place. With out the company or owner, being able to change what a person says or point of view. Its the workers who could have easily said let me take a look at it since its something quick. It would have made things easier but he didn’t. that is why you get this review. thumbs down in my book. Not worth my time, (time is money as you know) since I am going some where i cant have service while its is during working hours. thanks Unilocal for always having it so anyone can be heard even if the owner doesn’t like it.

I’ve known Luis Lopez for 13 years and, believe me, no one else compares in dedication to customer service and knowledge. When other places, including dealerships, have failed to properly fix my car, Luis always found the problem and fixed it… the FIRST time.
When you are looking for a reliable and honest auto repair place, go to Lopez Automotive. You’ll be happy you did.

Support local shops, if they do a good job for an affordable price. They do!