Western Auto Service

Western Auto Service was kind enough to provide drive-​in service on a Saturday, but I ultimately wasn’t able to trust them. I won’t be going back.
I wanted an inspection on a three year old Acura I was considering buying. Western offered a visual inspection at a reasonable cost, but I also wanted an engine compression check. The Tech looked at me like I was crazy, but ultimately agreed to perform one (at a higher cost than the inspection!).
The inspection report was given in such a way as to needlessly alarm my wife. The Tech reported a lot of rust underneath the chassis (since the car lived in La Jolla for 3 years, all unpainted hardware has surface rust) and a possible accident due to buffed paint (it had paint chips repaired). I’m glad the Tech took the time to find these anomalies, but I wish he didn’t report them like they were serious issues.
The expensive compression check may or may not have been done. The Tech didn’t record the results of each cylinder. He just said that the engine banks averaged out about the same. Not very helpful. In hind-​sight I should have refused to pay for a service that he couldn’t prove he performed.
A good auto shop should have knowledgeable, experienced technicians that you can trust. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I trust Western Auto Service.

I’ve suggested this shop to many friends, as each time I’ve visited the staff are honest and efficient. They even take the time to explain in detail the issues that occurred and actually have showed me the specific parts with area of concern under the hood.
Fair pricing and honest, excellent service. From now on I’m only taking my Honda there.

5 STARS!!! Great customer service, curtious and very knowledgeable! i came in for some suspension work and oil change. I walked out very satisfied. by the way my car was very low and while most places wont take my car in, these guys took good care of it. thank you guys at western Auto service !!!

I’ve been coming to Andy & the team here at Western Auto Service for a decade now, they’re awesome!
The prices are always fair, they’re great people and they always get the work done quickly!
I’ve referred dozens of friends here over the years and will continue to do so!

Got my rear brake pads replaced and have no complaints. They did an awesome speedy job and got me back on the road. Pricing was great and the guys that worked at the shop were very welcoming. Overall i would take my car back to this shop in a heart beat!

I’ve been taking my Honda CR-​V to Western Auto Service for 2 years, having seen their great Unilocal reviews. I have not been disappointed. I don’t know much about cars, so I have to rely on the honesty of the people I deal with. Today was a good example. I had a dash light that kept going on when my car hit a bump, so I called Western and stopped by. Within 10 minutes, it was diagnosed, fixed and I wasn’t charged. Amazing. They’ve never talked me into any repair that wasn’t necessary. They do let me know when something might require a possible fix in the near future, but they’re not in a rush to make me spend money when I don’t have to. Their prices are always reasonable. I highly recommend Western Auto Service.

Since I moved back to SD three years ago, I had not found a good mechanic; until I finally went to Western Auto. I will keep it real. I looked at Western Auto before, but the low prices and neighborhood scared me. That was my bad. Don’t be scared like I was. I am picky, snobby, and difficult. I am big on service and quality. Western Auto lives up to the hype, they are worth five stars. They are experts and trustworthy, they aren’t looking to take advantage of you; because they don’t have to. They have a loyal clientele of Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, Honda and Nissan owners. They are busy for a reason.
A complicated, expensive air conditioning issue brought me here, I took my Honda Element for FIVE estimates. The reason I chose Western Auto was Andy’s approach. Everyone else was going to replace the entire air conditioning system… Except Andy at Western Auto; he said they would start by replacing the air condenser that been damaged by a rock; and then go from there. Andy thought since my system worked before the rock hit the air condenser, it should work when the air condenser was replaced. His common sense, tactical, and knowledgeable approach gave me confidence in them. And it turns out, Andy was right. Western Auto was the only shop who didn’t try and sell me an entire new system. They only wanted to replace the part that needed to be replaced, which saved me A LOT of money.
I drive a lot. I’ve since used them for routine maintenance, front windshield replacement, brakes, a fan issue, and oil changes. Western Auto is well priced, knowledgeable, and friendly. I have received quality service, every time; from both Andy and Vince. They don’t upsell and there is no pressure. I really do feel they are looking out for me, and my car’s best interest.
When I drop my car off, I go to Canada Steak Burger for a gryo, or take an über to Diamond Nails on El Cajon, for a mani pedi.

Finally decided to get my valves adjusted on my honda prelude. I recently did the timing belt but my brother didn’t have the time. I emailed Andy for a quote and it was a good price.
I made an appointment for a Saturday since that was the only i can take it in. He told me he couldn’t guarantee it would be done since it was a short day and the car needs to be cold to do.
I dropped off the car and went to the near Starbucks a mile away. The car was some faster than I thought roughly 2 hours. Everything seems pretty good. Car seems to be driving better and sounding better. (Unless it’s in my head)
Overall it was a good experience and I would go back. He also gave me a quote on other problems with my car. The only bad thing was I told him to put back the spark plug wires covers I had off since he would put it back on again but he did not. I guess I have to do it my lazy self!

Andy’s knowledge and helpful assistance may have saved my transmission!!! I went to a generic «drive-​thru» type oil change place and they used the wrong type of transmission fluid and oil filter cap awhile ago. Then I started noticing that my 2^nd gear was having a hard time shifting, and my transmission sounded like it was in a low gear all the time — like it wanted to up-​shift but wouldn’t do it. Andy not only knew what the issue was, but he taught me more about my vehicle and the correct maintenance in the short time we were there, then any other place I’ve taken my car! I’m definitely going back there for everything needed for my Honda! And it was fast, easy, and reasonably priced!!! When it comes to the health and preventative maintenance of my car, I now trust Western Auto Service! Thanks Andy!!!

Andy is so so helpful and honest! This place is kinda out of the way for me but still worth driving to for my car services. Andy’s not like other car ppl I’ve met where they just try to sell you and make as much money off of you as they can. They replaced my battery and transmission oil. I still need to get my brake pads replaced as well as get new shocks and tires, and I will most definitely be bringing my car here! No wonder they have such great reviews! I trust them and their services. Would recommend for all!

Went to place #1, they gave diagnosis A and said it would cost $ 700.
Went here and in one day they fixed the problem for $ 70. great customer service and fast quality results.
Planning being a return customer.

This place is awesome and not expensive at all. Needed the automatic door locks on my CRV repaired but didn’t want to pay the high prices of the dealership. They were very nice charged me half of the dealers estimate. I’m truly a happy customer… I will be back

I took my car here about six months ago when the ignition cylinder died and it wouldn’t start, and I also had the passenger door handle and lock fixed at the same time. In dealing with both of these, Andy was very straightforward and knowledgeable. With both of them, he explained what he thought the possible problems might be and what was involved in fixing them, but that he wouldn’t know the exact situation or cost for parts, etc. until he investigated a little more. He called me later that day with an exact diagnosis for the ignition cylinder and prices for the various options for the door lock, and when I picked my car up there were no surprises or extra charges beyond what he had quoted me.

Very professional people. Professional work, yet less expensive than a dealer. This is my new go-​to place.

I’ve been to many repair shops and have owned several Hondas. Western auto service is by far the best repair shop I’ve ever been to. Highly professional, Great customer service, and excellent mechanics full of knowledge. Customer for life.
–Neil

excellent, fast and honest. All you could look for in an auto repair shop. will keep coming back for any future repairs for sure

I Unilocaled ‘brakes’ in San Diego and this was the first to pop up with all 5 stars. All reviews were great so I took a leap of faith. And I was not disappointed! Both service techs were very helpful and gave me the same price point for my car service.
The issue with my car was it would start to shake when I came to a stop right at 40 mph. They figured out my rotors were warped and needed to be replaced. Thinking I was about to spend an arm and a leg, I was pleasantly surprised with their quote. Parts and labor were half of what I originally anticipated.
Couldn’t be more pleased with service and honesty. Definitely coming back for all my service needs.
–Customer for life

I trust these guys! I had an issue with my rotor scraping my caliper and at first they ordered me a new part that was going to cost 110 extra dollars but upon further inspection they found a way to only charge me $ 15 for the service after problem-​solving a much cheaper solution that helped me, but not necessarily their bottom-​line. This is always impressive and totally deserves to be shared with everyone looking for the rare honest mechanic! Highly recommended!

I doubt very many people can say that they love their auto repair place (unless they also go to Western Auto), but I do. As a woman I used to HATE taking my car into get repaired. I feel like some repairmen treat women like problems or piggy banks — suggesting repairs that don’t need to be done, constant upsell, overcharging (I once had a repairman blame my bad driving for destroying a clutch that he had put in improperly) I luckily found this place soon after I relocated to San Diego, I forget what I had done that first time but I called around, they gave me the best quote and I brought it in. It was the best choice I could have made!
I’ve been using them for over 10 years (I own a Honda so it hasn’t been too frequent, but it is 16 years old so some stuff has to be done) and have sent family members and friends there. The trip that best epitomizes this place was when my check engine light was on — they hooked it up to the computer and told me that it was a problem with my emissions system (I forget what exactly) he told me that it was covered under a recall and that I should take it to the dealer. They didn’t even charge me anything for diagnosing it. That is a mechanic you can trust.
I’ve had belts replaced, transmission bearings replaced (ouch), I have always felt like their quotes were spot on. For some of the more major work my dad had done on his Honda Element they worked hard to find some great salvage parts that saved huge money. And when the electrical system of that Element went haywire they didn’t have time to get to it that week, but just asked «Do you live in the desert?» (it indeed spends half its year in Joshua Tree) and told us that rodents were eating the wires — Honda mad the wire insulation from soy for a while and their attempt to be green made great rodent food! Again, they didn’t actually get any money for their good advice, but told us how to to take care of it!
I inherited a Hyundai a couple of months ago and I dread having to find another mechanic that compares to these guys. I will make an effort to make sure that my NEXT car is a Japanese car because I want to have these guys on my side whenever I need car repairs!

I took my car in for a second opinion on a major repair. Instead of trying to replace entire system like the dealers, these guy got to the real root of the problem. The mechanics are honest and professional. Save me alot of money. Definetly return for future service.