Robby’s Auto Service & Repair

They are the best of the BEST here! They listen, care, and they take care of any problem with superb quality! We would not take our cars anywhere else!

The best service you can get from any car people in San Diego/​Poway. My family and friends have been 20+ year customers and for a reason. If you want honest people and good service I recommend nobody else but Robby’s! 5 stars all around

I think I’ve been coming to Robby’s Auto for at least 25 years. I have memories of this place as a small child with my dad. I have been bringing my own cars here since I was old enough to drive, phew… at least 18 years. Honest & helpful staff. I have never had any complaints. Good work guys!

Have been coming to these guys for a couple years now, they’re very good. Always friendly, the work is always done right the first time, the people are friendly and my car is clean when I get it back. I’d recommend them to anyone

It saddens me to update my review only to lower it. Some background: I do have two older cars (one is a 1999 — Car «A», and the other is a 2003 — Car «B»). Their mileage however is not too high the 1999 is currently just under 140K and the 2003 is around 112K. I expect them to have some normal wear and tear but they should be still ok.
I’ve been coming here for almost 6 years now between the two cars and before I was pleased with the service. It was only around the last year that problems had started.
2013-​07; Car A: My car started overheating so I took it into Robby’s, they said I had blown a head gasket. It would require machining and replacing the belts and related parts. It coincided with the 120K service at the time so I decided that it would be worth spending the money. It was an old car but was assured that with the work being done it would last a long while before significant service was needed again. So I forked over the thousands of dollars.
2014-​07; Car B: Days after my first car had the repairs done for the blown gasket, my other car started overheating. What bad luck=(Took it to Robby’s and they said it was a cracked radiator. Since it was the original one I didn’t think to much of it, it was just its time.
2014-​08; Car A: Everything ran ok for about a year but around this time the temperature needle started fluctuating. I took it back to Robby’s since they had done the work for the blown head gasket and they said they couldn’t find anything wrong, and changed the thermostat.
2014-​08; Car B: My other car started overheating again and there was coolant everywhere. Took it back to Robby’s and they said the radiator they had replaced a year ago had cracked again. They said they replaced it with a better one with a 3 year warranty (which begs the question why they didn’t use the higher quality one in the first place) and sent me on my way.
2014-​08; Car B: Literally 2 weeks later there was coolant all over the street again. Had it towed to Robby’s and turns out they didn’t tighten a hose on the coolant system tight enough. They fixed it and now the car runs ok… for now. We’ll see again in about a year.
2014-​11; Car A: The temperature began getting higher and higher during driving and I noticed that I was burning coolant, but noticing no leaks underneath the car. Took it into Robby’s again since they knew my vehicle. They said they checked the cooling system but found no leaks.
2014-​12; Car A: I decided that either those at Robby’s weren’t checking my car properly so I decided to bring it to the dealer for an opinion. They confirmed my worst fears: the head gasket had blown again. It was going to cost more the the value of the car to repair it. It seems that the work that Robby’s did only lasted around one year. And not only that but my repeated attempts to bring a serious problem to their attention was met with either repairs that were either done incorrectly or with sub par parts or with out right misdiagnoses. Needless to say, it is not worth fixing this car and it will be scrapped. It is unfortunate since if repairs had been done correctly the first time, it would still be running.
**Conclusion: The first 5 years I had been taking my two cars to Robby’s had been great and without incident. However, when real problems started showing up is where they started to really disappoint me. I really wanted to give them a fair chance, and as you can see above in my lengthy description there is a pattern of subpar work. It might attribute it to the car had it been one car, but it has happened on two cars that are of different makes and each circumstance is independent of each other. The constant is the work only holding up for a year or so before it falls apart. I can’t say with any kind of certainty if they are being negligent or using subpar materials but all I know is that I’ve spent my last cent there. Sorry Robby’s, you’ve failed me for the last time. I will be taking my future cars elsewhere.

Robby and his team are fantastic and I feel very confident in their recommendations of services needed, of items you can wait on and quality of care. This is the place!

Robby’s has always taken care of many of my co-​workers, friends and patients cars. I finally had a problem with my car and took it to them. They were amazing. I thought I had a problem because I took my car to one of those cheap oil places who made it seem like my car was about to blow up. Robby’s said I needed to add power steering fluid and radiator fluid. I have not had a problem since. Maybe not the best for oil changes because they are so busy but don’t go to anyone else for repairs. I am surprised by Les experience also because I have never gotten better pricing anywhere. I really do trust them.

Sometimes the only satisfaction one can get is by telling your story. OK so my step daughter brought her car here for struts and shocks and front brakes. I had told her the estimate seemed high but you know how kids are. So we pick up the car and I look at the prices of the struts and know from personal experience they seem high. The worst part is they could have ordered the modular ones which included everything so they didn’t have to tack another 97.96 on for the mounting kit. So I went in today pointing out the same struts on Rock Auto were $ 82.00 instead of $ 185.98. The Mounting Kit was only 33.45 instead of 97.96. In fact they were only $ 27.49 from Napa. I told them I thought almost $ 500.00 for two struts seemed a little high. (that’s only for parts) Based on the way I was treated customer service is not important to them. Instead of refunding the amount for the strut mounting kit and having a satisfied customer they would rather justify their outrageous markup on parts. Well, you certainly made your point.

I have been going here for years and I felt it was time to let everyone know how awesome this place is. First off, as a previous Unilocaler mentioned in their own review, I too am a woman and don’t know a whole lot about cars. Ok, but I’m not a damsel in distress either. That really doesn’t matter here. All of the employees go above and beyond to make every customer feel welcomed and understood.
And to that same above mentioned previous Unilocaler, I had a situation where my car wouldn’t start and I needed to get to work. I had no idea what was wrong. I called Robby’s and Robby himself answered. Since I lack a thorough knowledge of an automobiles anatomy, all I could relay was the sound my car was making. After having made what I thought was a fool of myself, Robby told me it was the starter. At no time did he make me feel stupid or inadequate. He sent a tow truck to my house to give me a jump and I drove it over to his shop to have a look over. After a short time my car was given the green light to be good to go.
This shop has been around for 20+ years. It has a old time, small town feel and all the employees make both men and women feel important. It’s their job to know what’s wrong with my car so don’t feel bad if you have no clue. I have price compared and I always get a fantastic deal… especially when you are looking for quality work. If you want something cheap, done half right and more than likely not put back together well (been there, done that) then maybe you should go elsewhere.

Robby has been working on my parents cars for a while now and I finally had to take mine in. He works fast and does a great job. He’s involved in our community and is definitely someone you can trust!

Robbie’s is a traditional auto repair service. They fix what needs to be repaired without wanting to replace parts that could be worn. Our cars are full of used parts. They don’t try to up sell you. They did exactly what I wanted done for a fair price and in a timely manner. I like them all very much. Did a great job on my truck. Thanks Robbie’s. I’ll be back…
Update. I recently brought them my 76 Corvette for a head gasket replacement. This car is fully restored as well as customized. They took great care with my Vette. They did an outstanding job. Fast and very reasonably priced. I’m really happy with them once again. Now I have a place I can safely take my hot rod worry free.

These guys are great and would definitely recommend them if you are in the Rancho Bernardo/​Poway/​Mira Mesa area. Its hard these days to find a trustworthy mechanic and think these guys are great. Wish I didn’t live so far from them to get regular maintenance done.

Reliable, professional, and literally a THIRD of the price the dealer quoted me. It doesn’t get any better. Seriously, why are you going anywhere else?

Great service; Robby’s has worked on three of my vehicles; 1997 Jeep; 1970 Bronco and 1972 Bronco. They completed brake work; general maintenance and installed an aftermarket product. All service was completed quickly and within the estimated price.
I will definitely continue to use them for all my regular maintenance work and highly recommend them for auto repair in the Poway area.

Robby is AWESOME! I had a Smog Check appointment at another shop, but walked in and was told system was down. They referred me to Robby’s og which I had never used. I walked in told Robby the situation and didn’t want to drive 20 miles back home. He immediately worked me in with a big smile. I was shocked he was able to help me. I’d like to say Thank You Robby am wish you 20 more years.

Rather than bore you with the details of the miserable experiences with other repair shops all over town that led to Robby’s.let me just say that I’m glad they did.
Robby’s was the ONLY shop that was HONEST (what a concept, huh?), didn’t try to upsell me, gave me several options (including self-​help/​DIY), and came in under the original price quote and estimated time.
They are an honorable business and the ONLY shop in San Diego for me and my vehicles.

To preface this review, I didn’t actually get any service done here. My car died on the way to work, 25 miles away from home. Basically, tell-​tale signs of a dead alternator. I kind of panicked after work and decided to just drive it to the first mechanic I could find. My friends helped me and it made it there in two charges.
They really didn’t seem that busy, and it was still an hour before closing. .. that kind of worried me to start. I will say that I am a girl, probably seemingly stupid when it comes to cars, and my car’s a foreign notoriously expensive to fix car. I went in saying it I thought it was the alternator, tested it with a voltmeter, and the main dude (Robby?) said he’d be back with an estimate. After waiting a few minutes, he walked out with a piece of paper with some scribbles on it, and told me it’d be $ 575 to replace the alternator. Mind you, I’m very sensitive to people’s vibes and what’s going on in situations. I definitely got a weird vibe from him the entire time, just him. I definitely looked like I wasn’t into the price, and he told me that the part alone would run me $ 600 at the dealer and that he looked it up. So, this is what he’s basing his price on? Not the cost of his parts or labor, some price he found online claiming to cut me a DEAL? I told him I wanted to think about it or something, and told me something along the lines of good luck and I’m not going to be getting too far with the state of the car. Yeah, that sure is going to turn me right around and beg you to fix my car.
In the end, I towed it to my apartment for $ 100, STILL saved another $ 100 at a different mechanic who fixed it the same day, AND got a new serpentine belt installed which I ended up needing too. Getting the alternator fixed alone at a different shop would’ve saved me almost $ 200 total, and that’s WITH paying for a tow.
Chances are he just didn’t want to fix my car. Whatever the reason, if you’re going to go in, don’t seem desperate. Or be a girl. Don’t have a foreign car. Or just shop around instead before you settle. Gave 2 stars because the other guys I talked to were really nice and they tested my car right there without having me sign anything or charging me.

Just got my car back from these guys — they’re great! From the moment you talk to them you can tell that they’re honest and genuine people. You can actually TRUST them, unlike most other auto repair places (I’ve dated several auto mechanics… I know who’s shady and who’s true! LoL)
Robby’s also charges reasonably as well. Example, I took my car in a month ago to Bruce’s Quality Lube in Mira Mesa for an oil change. They do a free mini inspection of your car as part of the package deal and they found several things «wrong» with my car. They recommended I get a powersteering & a transmission flush, a radiator fluid exchange, and to replace my serpentine belt, valve cover, and shocks/​struts. Bruce’s got really good ratings on Unilocal so I was gonna tell them to just fix everything, but then both my boyfriend & my Dad told me to hold off and to try Robby’s Auto Repair instead. I’m so glad I did! Robby’s fixed my car at a FRACTION of the cost that Bruce’s wanted to charge me…
[[ Replace serpentine belt ]]
Bruce’s Quality Lube = $ 100
Robby’s Auto Service = $ 35 !!
[[ Transmission fluid flush ]]
Bruce’s Quality Lube = $ 70
Robby’s Auto Service = $ 46 !!
For the most part I’m very impressed and pleased with Robby’s Auto Repair. The only criticism I have is that they’re not too good at calling you when your car is ready. I brought my car in yesterday afternoon to have it looked at and was told that I’d recieve a phone call later that day when they did. Nope, my phone never rang. Maybe they were too busy to get around to looking at it, but it still would’ve been nice to get a call saying they’d look at it tomorrow and they’d keep it safe overnight. I ended up calling them and leaving a voicemail since it was after hours, but even the next morning I didn’t hear from them. My Dad ended up calling in to check on my car and THEN Robby’s told them they were almost done looking at it. Eh, a little annoying, so that’s why I’m giving them 4 stars instead of 5. But still… Robby’s is a good, local place to take your car in for repair!

I have been to this place several times and every time I go here I like the place a little more. Its good have a mechanic that you can trust, when they are not 100% sure they will let you know what is going on and let you make the decision. I would feel comfortable sending anyone here, because they rely on fair price and good customer service for return business. Also another plus is they can usually get your car in and out on the same day if you drop it off in the morning.
Just a quick pricing example they were over a $ 100 cheaper than ford to replace my alternator.
They didn’t charge me to pull the codes on my other car when it threw a check engine light when many places wanted to charge me $ 50 – 100.

This place is as good as it gets. Talk about great prices, quality of service, and friendly customer service… top of the line.
I found the place because I used to live next door to Steve and Terry. The first time I had them do any work they became the place I take any work that I am not doing myself.