Steve Auto Repair

Great experience! First honest mechanic I’ve been too. I took my car to this mechanic for a second opinion, the first place recommended $ 500 in repairs when all it needed was some simple tweaks. Ended up spending $ 23.00 here for what needed to be done. Highly recommend it, they were a time and money saver. So thankful I brought my car here.

Best mechanic on the PB and San Diego. Honest and very fair. Get the job done on time and never charge for extras. Only recommend what’s need to be repair and not like other mechanic shop which always try to get customer to fix what’s not need it. Highly RECOMMEND!!!

I shopped around and found that Steve has the best prices so I’ve been going to him ever since I moved here 5 years ago. I finally decided to write a review. He always does good work and doesn’t try to sell you on a bunch of other things you don’t need like other shops do. We dropped my boyfriends car off at Steve’s because we thought he needed new breaks. We picked it up later and the mechanic told us he didn’t need new breaks and he fixed the squeaking with grease, no charge. I love the honesty!

I would recommend this place to anyone who wants honesty, great pricing, excellent workmanship and quick turn around.
I would not recommend this place to anyone who wants their butt kissed, complimented, and schmoozed just to find out that their car need «other» repairs. Though I must say Steve has softened over the years and his other front line staff a great.
So if you go there be excited that you get a smile and a positive nod from Steve along with honesty, great pricing, excellent workmanship and quick turn around.
I started taking my cars to Steve years ago after getting a recommendation from a friend. I was tired of taking my car to the OTHER LOCAL SHOPS only to find out that I got a free coffee (which I don’t drink) and that my car needed 100 other things. I can’t tell you how many struts I have replaced because of the OTHER shops recommendations. Not a cheap repair. My last car I asked Steve about the struts. He asked, «what the problem.» I didn’t know…“because they might be to old.” «No, no problem… I’ll take a look.» He looked and said they were OK. Wow, he didn’t recommend an erroneous repair. I’m thinking the Big Zero shop would have gone a different direction with my pocket book.
When I was 1^st going to Steve I would ask about a diagnosis and he would tell me and I would take it else where for a 2^nd opinion. Guess what, he never got it wrong. One time he told me the engine was bad and could not be repaired. I had my car towed to another shop that specialized on that brand of car and guess what they said… the engine is bad and it would have to be replace. Darn it, if Steve got that one right. I’m telling you, he’s the VERY BEST!
Now I don’t questions him, I just take my cars there for the repairs because of the honesty, great pricing, excellent workmanship, quick turn around and I might just get a little smile out of Steve to make my day. Plus, it’s so close to my house, but I don’t give starts for location just excellent everything else.
Thanks Steve!

I’m usually not one to write reviews, but I was so impressed with Steve Auto Repair that I just have to share. I’m from Utah and have lived in Pacific Beach only a short amount of time. My stepdad and brother back home have always been my mechanics, so when I knew my alternator was about to go out I was so stressed about where I should go. I looked up Steve’s and it looked like it had great reviews and they were fair on pricing. I really thought it was too good to be true as almost any other mechanic experience I’ve had, besides with my dad and brother, has been shady.
They got me right in that morning, changed my alternator by noon, and I had my car back by 2. They charged me even LESS than my stepdad said it should be, and they didn’t try to talk me into anything else. They were more than fair and I will never go anywhere else! Thanks Steve Auto Repair!

Incredibly fast efficient service for a smog check and the price was way lower than I paid last time at a place further down on Garnet. My car was done in less than 20 minutes which left me amazed. Very glad to have found this place on Unilocal.Nice, friendly guy too.

Needed a smog, oil change and air filter. Called places in Kearny Mesa and Hillcrest and also Midas in PB. Steve Auto Repair had the best price on each item individually. That’s why I decided to try them. They didn’t try to upsell me on anything.

PROS:
— Decent pricing. Found a coupon in the SD Reader.
— close to everything in the heart of Pacific Beach. You could shop, grab a bite, or even go to the beach while you waited on your car.
— quick. I went there when they opened and was out in less than 30 mins (had my car smogged)
CONS (kind of)
— tight entry into the place. Take it slow and/​or park in the street and watch for cars and pedestrians. I apologize to the walker with headphones on.
— messy, including the waiting room… but why are you in the waiting room? Go outside /​see PROS above.

I’m so glad I came here after reading most of the reviews they were the best price and extremely fast! I was in and out within 20 min for my smog test which was $ 15 cheaper then everywhere else nearby! I highly recommend this place!

LOVE Steve Auto Repair! I am very hard to please. Years ago when I found Steve I really put him to the test. He talked me through that and assured me that he would do a great job; he did exactly that. I have used Steve Auto ever since.
I have been going to Steve (Steve Auto Repair on Garnet in Pacific Beach) for many years. He is absolutely the most honest and reliable mechanic (auto service) that I have ever dealt with (70 years of age). I have referred my family and friends all of whom have likewise been going to Steve for years. Very good get the job done right policy and all work is done at very affordable rates.
I usually take my car/​s to get estimates from more than one mechanic and consistently find that Steve is the best price and once it is repaired in his shop the job is done (excellent record with his superior repairs). I don’t have to keep going back to his shop with the same issue and a sudden new problem doesn’t suddenly develop (sudden new problems have happened with many other shops that I have done business with).
Steve is a great guy!
You want a service that will do a fantastic job. Steve Auto
You want a service that you can trust… Steve Auto
Simply stated: The Best Auto Service is Steve Auto
Steve Auto Repair
Auto Repair
1370 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92 109

I took my car in quite some time ago to get my passenger window fixed due to the fact that it wouldn’t roll up and my current mechanic was out on vacation. They fixed the window pretty quickly and the cost was pretty inexpensive (a plus initially). However, the following week the same problem arose with my window and the cosmetic piece (unsure of the exact name) covering the underneath wires on the passenger side was loose. My current mechanic reported that whoever fixed my car window broke all the connecting pieces holding that piece in. I went back into Steve’s and they stated that they couldn’t fix it and they didn’t offer any solution to fix the window or the car piece. Granted the moment I came back they were pretty busy and appeared to not want to deal with the situation, but overall it was pretty unfortunate and disappointing situation.

I believe that they do a really good job on fixing cars but the fact that after getting my car repaired and another problem arises, they said I can’t do anything for you was very disappointing.

Love this place. No they’re not overly friendly, and it’s not a posh place to hang out, but MAN are they honest, inexpensive and good! They never try to get me to buy extra services or pad the bill. It’s inexpensive and quality work. Also they always find the time to work on my car the same day I drop it off.
Great job Steve!

Honest and fast… my fave place in PB for sure…

My Audi needed back breaks and router. The Dealership quoted me double with what I paid at Steve’s Auto. I noticed he had a BMW changing their Control Arms. so he is doing foreign imports more than just Japanese cars.

Super efficient and cheap smog check. Pulled in and was told it would be 20 – 30 min. Sat in the waiting area for 5 min and then Unilocaled for lunch and found empanadas across the street. 10 in after I ordered my empanadas, I received a call that my car was ready. Paid $ 30 and pulled the car out the back.

Honest and quick service at a minimal cost. 3x’s lower than any other competition out there. These guys helped me when my car broke down on a Sunday (thinking it was my alternator, which can be costly), I slipped my key tied to a note into their door, and the very next morning they called to let me know that it wasn’t my alternator but that it was an easy fix and was mere pocket change compared to what I originally thought it would be. They even pointed out that my oil was bad and could use a change (which I’ve been meaning to get done anyhow). I totally trust these guys because they’re not out to take advantage of your pockets and they do great & thorough work! I will totally recommend Steve Auto Repair to everyone who wants honest professional auto work without having to break their bank. I’ve already told my coworkers and family about them.
#5StarsService

I’ve met Steve a few times from my work and he’s a very nice and patient guy. Unilocal reviewers and my colleagues have recommended coming to Steve’s for a smog check because they are fast and cheap. I called in Saturday morning and they told me to come on by because it wasn’t too busy at the moment.
Finished in around 45 minutes and only cost me $ 28.20 for my civic.

Went to Steve’s Auto Repair to replace my break pads. Well first I called for a quote over the phone. Was quoted 3x less than any other shop in PB. I expected this wouldn’t last all said and done but to my shock it did actually they didn’t even attempt to charge me more than what was originally quoted.
These guys were professional, fast, affordable, and are extremely trustworthy. They are straight shooters which is damn near impossible to find these days in the auto business. I highly recommend Steve’s Auto repair except on days when I plan to use them for a small tune up.

I highly suggest Steve’s Auto Repair for smog tests! With the help of Unilocal,I took my out of state vehicle to get its very first smog test to start the whole CA registration process. I looked at a few businesses via Unilocal,but after seeing how affordable the cost of a smog test ($ 29.00) compared to other businesses, I ended up here!
Anyways, being new to this whole smog thing, I had previously gotten car work done (system reset), so unfortunately the smog machine was unable to read my vehicle until I drove 50 miles. The guy was very informative and explained to me how it all works and told me to come back whenever. With that being said, I ended up driving all over SD until my car was ready to be checked again. An hour before closing I was able to squeeze my car in and I was right out the door in less than 45 minutes!