The Auto Center in La Mesa

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Sydney Pidgeon
2 months ago
Claudio is trustworthy and says it exactly as it is. He doesn t try to scam or overcharge you, and is lovely and efficient. As a woman who often feels like she s going to be taken advantage of at a mechanic or auto shop, I felt completely confident with Claudio s service and look forward to returning and have already recommended him to other friends!

  Nick
3 months ago
I called The Auto Center and explained that my car was most likely having brake issues. Claudio took my car in and quickly diagnosed, repaired, and tested to make sure the issue was fixed. The whole time, he was super friendly and got the job done quickly! Fair price, great service, and great guy. I highly recommend Claudio and The Auto Center!

  Alizarin Bareno-Sosna
10 months ago
Very friendly, fast and fair priced. They made me feel welcome which doesn't necessarily happen with mechanics who see people in and out every day. Claudio is a family man who you can easily imagine being your friend or neighbor, what more could you ask for!

  Stormy Lynn
3 years ago
The best mechanic in San Diego! Claudio takes great care of his customers. He is genuine, honest and sincere. He is the only mechanic that I feel comfortable going to! I wouldn t trust my car with anyone else. His prices are affordable and his work is quick. I ve never had any issues with my car after getting work done by Claudio. He fixes what needs to be fixed and you are on your way! Exceptional service and very professional.

  Steven Del Terzo (Nalicar)
2 days ago
Great service and rate. 100% recommend!

  Bama John
7 months ago
I wouldn't recommend for brown people, minorities or people who are not wealthy. I got the sense that he looks down on people who is not as rich as him. So highly *not* recommended. There are tons of mechanics in San Diego who would respect you and your car.The last thing you want is someone to talk down to you when you are in a difficult situation with your vehicle, may it be for work or business. So, why waste your money with someone who looks down on others , especially a mechanic! But he's highly cunning though. Lots of fake niceness even while he's metaphorically stabbing you in the back.

  Sarah Kelly
3 years ago
I would give ten stars if I could! I was hearing a high pitched noise in my car and thought it may be a problem with the fan belt. I called The Auto Center and talked to Claudio, explaining what was happening. He told me to come right over which was incredible because I called many other big places that were totally booked. He was very kind and was able to diagnose the problem for me which was the brakes. He took the car in to have it all taken care of in one day! For a very fair price! Lifetime warranty on the brakes. Honestly you can just feel how kind & genuine Claudio is. You can tell he actually has your best interest at heart. As a woman I never really enjoyed going to mechanics, and he was even showing me different things and giving me a little teaching on the brakes and brake pads! Haha. Highly highly recommend this will absolutely be my go to mechanic from here on out. Thanks so much Claudio your integrity shines through!Service: Brakes

  Kelly Swaggerty
5 months ago
Claudio is the best. I always appreciate his great service

  Crystal Reaves
3 years ago
Claudio is a great guy and is extremely fair with his pricing. You don t have to question wether or not your vehicle is in good hands with Claudio because I ensure you that it is. If you re looking to get some work done on your car then this is the place!

  Andrew Swank
9 years ago
Claudio is excellent automotive diagnostician. He can fix almost anything. His prices are fair. When he makes a promise he keeps his promise. We have both our cars serviced by Claudio and also my son and my sister-in-law are now loyal to Claudio. Highly recommended by a customer of past 5 years.

  lucas lacy
7 months ago
Love this place. Claudio is the go to guy when it comes to my vehicles. Highly Recommend.Services: Electrical repair, Auto battery replacement, Auto power window repair, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuningServices: Electrical repair, Auto battery replacement, Auto power window repair, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning

  Jackson Stoddard
4 years ago
I ve got a Ford Edge 2010 that I ve only had to bring in 2 times in the last 2 years while working with Claudio. He s a great guy, and does high quality car work. My entire family takes their cars to his car repair shop whenever we have any issues. Highly recommended his service! 5 stars from me.

  Doreen Wren
a year ago
I m so grateful for Claudio! My car s check engine light came on and it was skipping. He diagnosed and fixed my car in 5 hours at a very fair price! I know where I m taking my car from now on!

  Deborah Cross
3 months ago
There is no one better to trust your vehicle to. Honest, Fair, Great Work!!

  P Hicster
5 years ago
I live in Northern California while my son attends school in the San Diego area. Unfortunately, my son was knee-deep studying for finals this week when he got hit with automobile problems beyond his ability...I diagnosed possible problems by way of photos and spoke with the shop that my son had used previously. They quoted me $1,400!! The night before flying down to take care of the car, I wanted a comparison quote so I started looking at repair centers closer to where my son lived...a 5 star review about Claudio from someone that had car problems while visiting from Ohio stood out to me so I wrote an email to Claudio. When I got to SD the next morning I called and spoke with Claudio over the phone. I immediately liked the guy... He said to me to just bring the car down and he'll take a look at it. My son and I drove down to his shop to meet him and leave the car for his inspection. He called me about two hours later to say that the motor mount was NOT broken, the water pump was NOT leaking and that the only repair he recommended was the removal and replacement of the plastic coolant reservoir (which had a crack) and a coolant flush...all for $175.00! He could have charged me up the "wazoo" if he had wanted to and I wouldn't have known any better, but he didn't. Not only that, while my son was in his 4-7pm class, Claudio called me to say it was finished. I picked it up and had it at my son's home by the time he returned...which allowed us to spend some time together the next day playing golf instead of trying to get a car repaired. Thank you, thank you Claudio!! I can't tell you how nice it is to have someone I can trust that my son can bring his car to knowing he won't be taken advantage of.I highly recommend bringing your car to Claudio!! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

  Fred Long
3 years ago
Best auto shop ever! I've been going to the auto center for almost 20 years. It's that place we all talk about. When we hear about dealers ripping you off and oil change places ripping you off it's nice to know that these family-owned businesses still exist. Claudio does it right he tells you just what you need and what you don't need. If you're looking for that honest and upfront mechanic this is where you need to be. I've been referring my family and friends for years and never disappointment. Thank you Auto center for being "THAT PLACE"

  Jon Bjork
6 years ago
Claudio is a super cool guy and knows his stuff. I have used his service sporadically for about 5 years. Auto mechanics can have a reputation for ripping people off but not Claudio! When my truck needs attention there is nobody else for me. Thanks Claudio!!

  Katie Ward
6 years ago
Claudio is THE BEST! Nothing like a mechanic you absolutely trust! He s done a lot of work on both of our Honda s (2004 civic and 2007 CRV) and it s always been fabulous and a great price. Couldn t recommend enough.

  Anesheawa S
5 years ago
I love Claudio... I went to Claudio 2 weeks ago and he has been heaven sent in helping me with my chevy Malibu issues.. He was CONSIDERATE, DEDICATED, and LOYAL which is hard to find in mechanics. I highly encourage anyone to go to him because he s a good man and very fair.

  junior
3 years ago
Claudio is a true professional. It took him the weekend to fix my car so he s very quick, he walks through everything he s going to work on, and he even inspected a car my girlfriend was thinking about buying for free. It also feels like walking into someone s personal garage because of how friendly he is.

  Nicol�s Gallardo
5 years ago
We found Claudio through an emergency we had with our vehicle and ever since we are 100% loyal to him and his shop, he works clean, responsible, very professional and nice... Highly recommend Claudio even for maintenance all the big companies we went to kept trying to overcharge us and create more problems than solutions we love coming to this place. Thanks a lot Caudio!!!!!!

  Isaac Ullah
6 years ago
Great family owned La Mesa institution. Claudio is a great guy, and you can trust them to take care of your car. He always remembers me from the make and model of my car when I call to schedule some work!

  Travis Leiter
2 years ago
My van dumped coolant and I was unable to find the source of the leak myself. I called Claudio and he was able to get my car on a lift to diagnose the same day I called (it was a Friday). He diagnosed the failure, and was able to get the parts and repair it that same day! Super appreciative of them getting my car back to me and his communication throughout the process.

  Kelsey E
6 years ago
Claudio, the owner, was so helpful and has great customer service! We drove in from out of town and took a car we were looking to buy into his shop to have a pre-purchase inspection on a Saturday. He was incredibly accommodating on short notice, thorough and affordable. I would highly recommend this auto body shop!

  Doug Duncan
6 years ago
My wife's Chevy Malibu is in Claudios shop as we speak getting the a/c hose replaced. A pain in the ass job , I'm sure. He also takes care of my little Ford Ranger when needed. Never been disappointed and I always go back. My little brother's a wrench back in Florida, so I think I know what a good Mechanic is all about. Claudio's a good guy.

  Tim Breidenstein
3 years ago
These guys are great. This shop is one of those trustworthy local Mom and Pop shops that are becoming so rare these days. When van was in need of some service I brought it here. They quoted me a fair price and stuck to it. Service was fast and pro, exactly what you want from a mechanic. I ll be back to this shop for sure. Thanks Claudio.

  Tammee Dephilippis
4 years ago
Claudio is amazing! Great price and service. I have had a few of my cars fixed here and I highly recommend him and his team!

  eva anderson
4 years ago
Got my brake pads replaced here for a very reasonable price and with excellent customer service. What's more Claudio, the owner, offered a lifetime warranty on the break pads so that if they may wear out again, he'll replace them for free (excluding labor)!

  Jay
3 years ago
The best auto center in La Mesa Hands down! Don't waste your time nor confuse yourself with the auto care up the street across from baskins Robin. They are horrible. This place is amazing. Claudio does HONEST AND DOES IT RIGHT!

  Jacob Lawson
5 years ago
I'm from Ohio so I feel ripped off every time I take my car to the shop. So I'll try to be unbiased. My car died so I had to push start it about seven times until I finally found an open garage (every garage was closed at the time). I pulled into the auto center and the owner was still there. He graciously accepted my car after normal hours. He seemed like a genuine guy and I don't think he took advantage of the situation. At the end I spent $650 for a new alternator and battery terminal. Which seems high until I consider they had to take off the axle to get to it.