California Motor Works & Tires

Reviews

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

  Cindy Mohr
3 months ago
I really should have read the reviews before I went to this place. Definitely ripped off. We needed to get a light and brake check in order to get our vehicle inspected for a salvage title registration. I had called around other places and the going price was just under $90. Everyone was too busy and we were desperate to get our car taken care of. When I called here he had openings but I didn't think to ask what the cost was because the going price for this service is under $90. When we were done he told us there were 13 lights out. Our car doesn't even have 13 lights. He charged us $250, then he told us if he wanted us to change the light bulbs out that would cost another $898. Our car only has seven. Told us we could get it rechecked within 30 days for another $150, why would we go back there when everyone else charges $87. Please do not waste your time. Wish I saw all the posts on here, any good ones are definite lies. I would consider him a scammer for sure. He's the kind of person that gives mechanics bad names.

  Hayden Watson
3 months ago
Made the mistake of not reading reviews prior to taking my car in. The guys working here are dishonest. Was told twice that I wouldn t be charged a re-inspection fee if I had them do the work in-shop then proceeded to be charged $195 for re-inspection after (which they didn t even do since I watched them install my lights then call it good). Lesson learned!

  josh hans
5 months ago
These people are crooks. Tell you one price on the phone and the way over charge for a brake and light inspection for a new 2022 vehicle in perfect condition for $295 and a smog check that says right on there board for $59 they charged 129.95. 2500 Chevy pickup.Either don t go to them and or take a picture of what you sign beforehand so they can not pull a fast one on you

  Darrick Mohr
3 months ago
This place is a joke and a scam. They charged my wife $250 without an upfront quote and failed me for having LED replacements.. DO NOT GO HERE!! EVERYONE ELSE IS UNDER $100 THESE GUYS ARE A SCAM.....

  Luke Felzer
a year ago
Went in for a salvage vehicle inspection. They charge $150 which is on the high side. They had to adjust the headlight and replace a couple bulbs. With the diagnostic charge and the hour worth of total time they charged me $485. So do not go here! This is robbery and I will be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau and CA Dept of Automotive Repair.

  Lizbeth Delqadillo
2 years ago
I was in need of a light and break inspection for my salvage car. I took it here and they charged me 150 for the inspection however, they said it failed due to having aftermarket LED lights. We proceeded to purchasing regular lights and took it back, they were gonna charge us an additional 300 for them changing the lights and also for them to print the certificate and also for them to inspect again. I would totally recommend going elsewhere, it was my mistake for not reading the reviews prior to taking my car. Disrespectful people not even polite.

  Rich Pontillo
a year ago
Pleasant, no line and took my walk-in promptly. However, very expensive for smog testing, probably double than other Star Certified stations. My particular situation was only a visual fail, rather than telling me before running entire test, (which other stations have done) they waited until after and charged me $80+, and they don't offer free re-testing, if failed.

  Justin Rahn
3 years ago
I took my 2014 Acura to the dealership when some of the alerts were popping up. They said that the alerts were caused by a tire monitor that needed to be replaced, and that it would cost over $400. When inspecting, they also said I needed new front brakes which they quoted close to $600. I couldn't help but feel like I was getting ripped off, so I decided to get a 2nd quote. That's when I talked with Allen at California Motor Works, and I am so lucky I did. In addition to saving me money, he also was a pleasure to work with & had the work done quicker than expected. I highly recommend California Motor Works to anyone looking for an honest, reliable, and friendly business to take excellent care of your car.

  Joshua Klein
4 years ago
Worst experience of my life for car buying. Was looking for DMV brake and light inspection, I suggest you look around. They charged me $150 (after I went I found another place for 75$), and they failed me over some pretty trivial stuff (some plastic pieces, brakes were .001 mm too thin, headlights only required a few screwdriver turns) -- and hit me with a $500 bill. My mechanic over at BT auto (5 star place), could do the work for half the price again. Learn from me, go somewhere else.

  Rachel Shyloski
5 years ago
Alan and his crew are honest, hardworking, and reliable people. They have been my go-to car place since moving to San Diego four years ago. I have had several issues with my 2003 Toyota Camry, and not only have they helped me with those repairs, they have helped me decide when something can be fixed on my own (such as replacing a light bulb and getting the part from Auto Zone), or if something can wait, etc. Alan has also been beyond gracious in allowing me to pay the bill in a couple separate payments when I needed to pay some upon pick-up, and the rest once I got paid, after we had developed rapport over the years. I feel grateful for having them as my dependable car place to go when my car needs help!

  Hector H
2 years ago
They said the car didnt pass only because of one hose had duck tape on it when i could of been notified before being charged asked about a retest and said only if they fix the problem seems not fair to me because there is nothing wrong with my car other than a little duck tape on a air inlet pipe and im being forced to pay again or get me to pay them to fix. will not come again and dont recommendServices: Smog certification, Emissions testing

  Taras Vorobey
3 months ago
Overpriced and dishonest. Don t make same mistake by not reading reviews

  G Srz
4 years ago
Worst place ever!!!!! first of all I didn't researched the reviews of this place before going in (My Mistake), second of all the moment i walked in there was an angry customer complaining for the "service" that he had just received (red flag right there). I Went in for a DMV certification break and light inspection, got robbed $150 for an inspection that made no sense, this guys nit pick my car and failed it for irrelevant stuff that doesn't meet their satisfaction(ex.My headlights were not bright enough, light aimed too high etc.) they did not provided any evidence of their claims . Needless to say, I do NOT RECOMMEND this place. I should've listen to that customer that was complaining about the same inspection when I walked in, he even told me before walking out "YOUR VEHICLE WILL PROBABLY FAIL". They gave me a time limit of 30 days to re-inspect the car with an additional $75 fee, and they probably will find another stupid detail to fail my car.

  Phoebe Gao
4 years ago
Paid $150 for a brake/light inspection, and they wanted to charge me $450 to adjust one of my headlights and replace a couple of bulbs. Felt like I was dealing with a bunch of con artists.Update: my regular mechanic did all the adjustments for $60

  Corbin Laudenslager
2 years ago
I had to do a brake and light inspection. Not only did they hit me on things that they initially said were not "hit items", but when I came back for reinspection I was told their "inspection guy" was gone for a month. -_-I have not felt taken care of at all. They got my $150 though. >:(

  AK K
a year ago
I wanted brake and light inspectionI called to confirm if I need appointmentSo he said so long I'm there before 3pm it's fine no appointment neededI drove all the way from North county to tell me that he can't do it that day?!?Not professional

  Victor Belanich
8 years ago
My car failed smog because an air hose wasn't conceded. after they pulled it off the dyno and pointed to what was wrong I was able to put it back on by hand in seconds. I was about to have them smog it again but then I found out that it would be a second charge of $70 and I walked out.Completely over priced and no discount if you fail the first time.

  Darrell West
3 years ago
Needed a brake and light inspection to transfer title in state. They made it easy by showing me what needed to be done to pass. I fixed and came back 2 weeks later they approved. Professional and easy to work with.

  Glennis Muldoon
7 years ago
We've been going to California Motorworks for 7 years and have always been impressed with the service. Allan is straightforward, honest, thorough and reliable. Whether a simple oil change or a complicated transmission issue, Allan and his team have never failed to meet our expectations.

  Huifen Hua
4 years ago
so bad feeling.the employee diagnosed my car and took my $190 for air conditioning. then they added fluorine and took again $245. but my car is no air conditioning .it means i spend $435 but no any change. thet asked me to replace compressor $1100. i don't think they can repair air conditioning well.

  ya76haira1
2 years ago
My aunt need a brake and lights inspection we went there not only that they are overpriced $150 I asked the guy from the place why he was charging so much when other shop is $45-75 he told me I can charge as much as I want because you guys don t have nobody to do it here in this area since I told him it was not ok he didn t pass my aunts car just because one light needs a screw I told him I can just put it it would be ok he said I m sorry but it doesn t passed I told him an I put the screw and can you give me the certificate he said no you need to pay again I told him next time tell your customers before we are going to do it that you are not going to give any discount or do it for free the second time since we already pay so much he got upset I don t recommend this place they are rude and very bad serviceService: Brakes

  Loralee Visintainer
9 years ago
My whole family uses California Motorworks. They are always really honest and never try to sell you on things. The prices are great and very fast service. We always recommend them!

  S&C Newtimes
3 years ago
I went in for smog. They got it done fast and their price is fair. I paid less than $30. Highly recommended this place.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Omar Rodriguez
4 years ago
HIGHLY OVERPRICED!!They charge $150 for Brake and Lights inspection, even if it fails. Later I found other certified places that charge less than half...too late for me.

  Mike Su
4 years ago
Been coming here since I've had my first car for all minor and major services. Great location, friendly customer service (talk to Alan - he's hilarious!), quick/knowledgeable staff.

  Cristian
4 years ago
Too expensive, took my car for light inspection and they charged me 150, and 70 for reinspection. Another place charged me just 45$

  Ed Kushner
2 years ago
I would recommend CaliforniaMotor Works to anyone who expects quality service. They were outstanding.

  Joe Bariz
2 years ago
Every where else is like 100$ for smog brake and light inspection except this place over 200$!!!!Watch your $!!!!Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  Mack McB
5 years ago
Take your care elsewhere. Put a fuse in my car for $70 minimum inspection charge.

  Diana Guzman
5 years ago
The staff is great and they definitely know what they are doing. Decent prices as well.