C&L Auto Services & Repair

I gave them my car to check re transmission around noon. Called about it at 5:15pm (they close at 5:30) — they were closed, they locked up my car– no call, no «hey, we haven’t had a chance to check it, do you want to pick it up or leave it overnight?» If you’re looking for a check up and don’t mind having your car locked up without a call then treated poorly by a defensive jerk this is your place.

Found this place here on Unilocal.It happens to be 3 blocks down from where I live so that was really convenient. Didn’t see the 10% off deal for mentioning Unilocal though.
They replaced my radiator within 2 hours! Friendly, professional, and affordable service! Definetly coming back if I need future repairs!

I have been taking a few of my vehicles to C&L for a few years now, from a Mercedes to 2 BMW’s and not only do I get great results but I don’t get gouged. Prices are as good as can be for the type of vehicles. I will keep coming back as long as I need to. They also perform all my smog checks as well.

When i moved to San Diego i needed to have my car worked on. dealers were too expensive. so i tried a couple of places. One place told me the problem with my car was leaking head gaskets. A neighbor suggested c&l auto so i took it there. They diagnosed my car and the problem was the timing. They were totally honest and still are to this day. I have been coming here for 18 Years. Carlos and his crew do an excellent job on my Truck and car. Prices are reasonable. They stand behind their work. So happy i found this place a long time ago. Will never go anywhere else.

These guys were awesome. Not only did they replace my head gaskets, radiator, and thermostat for a great price, but when my car started overheating again three months later, they stood behind their work and fixed the problem for free. Glad to have a shop I can trust!

I love Carlos and the guys at C&L.
It’s a Mom & Pop operation so don’t expect a lot of frills. However, I have been going there for over 20 years and they have worked on 3 of my cars over that time. It’s a bit farther to go for me because I moved out of the area but I don’t want to go anywhere else. They NEVER over-​charge and are good about giving you a great deal. I trust them with my cars and feel like they really care about me and my vehicles. You will have to call to get an update because they are always super busy. That says a lot… people trust them and keep going back. My best friends have also been going to them for more than 15 years and come from Escondido to have them work on their cars.

340. bucks to replace the radiator on my truck. They are in my neighborhood and they’re so nice. They are also apart of the BBB which is HUGE! You get what you pay for. Of course, I’ll be back! Thanks guys!

I’ve been going to C&L auto for about 20 yrs and they are great! They’re fast, friendly, honest and all around wonderful. The lot is always busy but somehow they always manage to diagnose and fix my car in record time. Thanks Carlos and crew. (The lady with ’97 mercury tracer wagon with all the sunflower seeds on the floor.)

I was referred to this place by my trusty mechanic. As everyone should know, one of the first things you need to know when you move somewhere is a good honest mechanic!
I give them 5 stars because they were quick and easy and the price was right. I went to them for smog check which is supposed to be the same price but some places try to get more out of you. They have a recheck option, which is good, I know of other places that have a no pass, no pay option but this is closest to me so I chose this one.

Overpriced and filthy. Unless you’re desperate, engine exploded outside their door, feel generous or don’t mind getting price gouged, don’t stop here. Most oil changing shop’s options are better in all regards and may even rotate your tires for half the price. You’re even recommended to bring in your own oil from an auto parts store «down the street» for a discount. Don’t let them get in your car either or you’ll get a stain on the seat. Look elsewhere.

This place is like the good old days (if they ever existed) when you could trust those you did business with to provide you with a good product at a fair price. Carlos gave me a verbal quote for new shocks and struts which was lower than the other two places I had asked for estimates (much lower than one of them) and mentioned that after the work is done, it might even price out lower. Indeed, when I picked up my car, the price was lower than the original estimate! (I guess it was because the labor time was less than estimated — now that’s honesty!) It’s only been a day, but so far, the car is running smooth and I am very happy! The work was performed as promised and on time. So glad I found this shop.

I have been here twice, first time they didn’t update me on anything and since I live a block from there I went up after they closed (they were supposed to be done that day but didn’t update me and then they were gone for the day) and found my car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. I did go back recently with hesitation, but I am sure that they didn’t do that on purpose. It didn’t happen again but I was just frustrated by the lack of communication I experienced (both times). I was out of work for 2 days, the first day they stated they would let me know a price/​time estimate in about 45 mins before doing anything. I ended up calling about 3 hours later to check up myself, they said they’d call me back in 45, never did and then it was closed. 2^nd day I called in the morning and they said they’d call back in 45, never did. I ended up walking up there because I didn’t want them to have my car another day and I was just going to deal with it an go to work (it was smoking and it wasn’t shifting/​accelerating) anyway the next day. This was at 4:45pm (they close at around 5:30). I got there and the guy at the front stated they were done (never gave me an estimate and just did the work!!!). I was frustrated, but on the positive side, I thought it was the clutch and minimum for just labor on that is $ 400 (not including the kit), it ended up being a different issue and the total was $ 202. I didn’t have my card and they trusted me and said I could pay later, went to my house, came back and paid. So all in all they are honest and didn’t overcharge me for something that I didn’t need, but I would rather go somewhere that will keep me in the loop and not do anything until they’ve given me a quote. Mainly the customer service was the problem, although they were quite pleasant as people in general. I will not be going there again, but if you have time to wait, I wouldn’t say don’t go there because they really won’t overcharge you, I just don’t have that time to spare unfortunately.

These guys do great work at honest rates. I sometimes buy my own parts (on the internet) and have them install them. Usually they would have charged me about the same for the parts. Guess I should stop wasting my time :-) Been going here for 5+ years now, and they always get the work done quickly. I had a transmission go bad, had it towed there, and had the car back the following afternoon. They always fix what I ask them too and don’t try to «upsell» me. About five years ago my water pump went out, the dealer charged me $ 1200 to replace the water pump and the timing belt (I wasn’t in SD at the time). Last year it was time to get the timing belt changed, so for less than $ 400 I got the timing belt and water pump changed, and an oil change, and they installed some new truck lid struts I had bought.

These guys are incredible. Kind, honest and they do excellent work. They never try to upsell you, they only fix whatever needs work. Carlos and his crew have worked on my Mountaineer, my husband’s Jeep and my son’s Toyota truck. All work has been done quickly, at reasonable prices and with good humor and neighborly kindness.

I am so grateful that C&L Auto came into my life. I live in the neighborhood and depend on Carlos and his VERY HONEST crew to take care of all my car needs. Recently I’ve been unemployed and feared learning what might be my bill to replace shocks on my car. They got worse and worse and finally I went to Carlos. He provided me with such an affordable repair I wondered why I just didn’t check with him first instead of worrying.
My husband had a tendency in the past to take his car to Midas because it was close to work. They were always coming up with repairs and tuneups. I demanded to take the car to Carlos and sure enough there was no need for repairs except our regular oil change. Here I was vulnerable that he could have named anything or any price, but instead he told me the car was in good shape.
When a job takes 20 minutes that’s what you are really charged.
Having Carlos around makes me never want to move.

I deal in vehicles, more of a hobby. C &L is in my neighborhood. Carlos is always busy and always seems to make time for people, super honest, super polite, and he won’t fix it if it isn’t broke. He even has a drop if you need to take it there after hours and calls you when it’s done, which is super convenient when you’re always at work or on the run. I’d gladly give him 10 stars.

as a woman, i need someone i can trust when it comes to automotive. Carlos is AWESOME! Fair, efficient and courteous! they are five star!

Very competent «certified» mechanics with reasonable prices .They have worked on all of my vehicles that range from mild to wild. The nice part of it is when you ask them a question they will give you an answer that makes sense. good people

This place may look shady and kind of small and hidden — but the owner is very honest and nice — as all the workers are, and they do great work at an unbeatable price. Its hard to find a shop where you can find honest people.

These guys are honest and cheap. They are not top quality mechanics. If you need a simple repair close to your house, they are fine. They will never «up sell» you or charge you for work they didn’t do. They will also diagnose for free.