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October 2023 by William Margolin
I am a father who lives in Chicago who has a 25year-old daughter who goes to school in the Los Angeles area. She has a 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA that she brought in yesterday to get the brakes looked at based on a perceived brake issue. The members at Santa Monica Brake evaluated the situation and determined that, although there was a slight issue, no brake work would need to be performed for approximately 10,000 miles. I have heard about the honesty and integrity of Santa Monica Brake but I witnessed it through my daughter first hand when she picked up the car yesterday afternoon, no fee for the diagnosis !! Needless to say, my daughter will be back in 10,000 miles.
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September 2023 by Joan A.
Santa Monica Brake Auto Repair is a top-notch automotive service center. Their skilled technicians are knowledgeable and provide excellent service. They've worked on my vehicle a few times, and I'm always impressed with their efficiency and fair pricing. The staff is friendly, and they prioritize customer satisfaction. Whether it's brake repair, oil changes, or more extensive fixes, they deliver quality work. Santa Monica Brake Auto Repair is a trusted choice for car maintenance in the area.
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March 2023 by Julie J.
This is a great car service place. Joe Jr. and Joe Sr. and their team are amazIng. My catalytic converter was stolen and at first they said it was a wait for 2 months but they found one for my Prius at Marina Del Rey Toyota and I had my car back in 2 days. I highly recommend Santa Monica Brake.
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December 2022 by Graham Morris-Almond
I have been taking my modded Mustang to the wonderful George and his son for over 5 years now and they have dealt with every issue (and there have been many, from major bodywork repairs and servicing to engine overhauls in preparation for cross-country road trips) quickly, efficiently and always fairly priced.George is the kind of honest tradesmen your parents used to tell you about that rarely exist any more in the modern world; kind, informative, efficient and fair.I wouldn't take my pride and joy anywhere else.Cheers George and the crew from Graham Green Mustang. ?
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November 2022 by Alan D.
I'm a 30 yr client and have recommended many more to this establishment. I've always been pleased with the work and the prices have always been fair and honest. Recently the son has been slowly but surely taking over and boy have things changed. It's become one of "THOSE" shops. The kind you see on tv with secret cameras. I stopped in because I would step on the gas of my 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER (147k/mi) and nothing would happen, so I stopped bye when it wasnt doing it but was in the area. Jr. looked under the hood and squeezed my radiator hose and said it felt soft and should probably be replaced. I said okay. Its not presenting a problem, but okay. Then he said, might as well replace the bottom hose too. Fine. Preventative I guess. Figured it couldn't cost much...Later that day he calls and says the plastic spout broke off because the car is old and the radiator is falling apart and now he has find and replace the radiator and get this......$800 later. No leaks; no overheating, no problems.... I now have an $800 repair bill for work I didnt go there for and didnt need. I happen to know quite a bit about cars from working on them in my youth. When I get the car back home, the first thing I do is lift the hood to view my new$800 radiator and what do I see?.....the hose clamp is not the original clip that was on there, which was a pressure clip. Theres an O-Ring hose clamp. It's obvious, to me, he didnt take into account that the spout is plastic, not metal , and yes 20 yrs old. He most likely used a power wrench with a socket and clamped too fast and hard HE broke the spout off and I paid for it. It wasnt falling apart before I got there. Then one day I was in the area and the gas pedal was doing the no go thing that I originally went in for, so I stopped and said to Junior, hey it's doing it right now. He opens the hood and with his hand manually revs the engine and tells me it's the "throttle body" and it needs to be replaced. He says he can feel the butterfly is stuck and oxygen isnt getting into the fuel mixture. It will cost $650+ 1 hr labor which will be a total of ......ready?......$905! Really? 1 hr labor is $300?! I said I'll think about it. I get home and I think......wait a minute....an old fashion carburetor has a butterfly but this has electronic fuel injection, so I'm not sure if it even has a butterfly. Plus, its Toyota. They run forever. Little things like that just dont go wrong. Plus after the $800 radiator experience, I dont trust him. So I try to remove the cover on the throttle body and spray some carburetor cleaner or WD40 to free up whatever it is that's stuck. I cant get all 4 screws off. Only two. So, as long as I'm under there, I spray some WD40 on the spring and cable and that fixed it. I stopped by the shop the other day to try and talk to George senior about my displeasure with recent events but he was busy. As I was leaving, George Jr. asked me if I replaced the throttle body and I said no, I sprayed WD40 on the spring and cable and it's fine now. He said nothing. Oh yah....I also have a Fiat Abarth. I took it in for an oil & filter change in Jan '22 and it was $114. No racing oil; just off brand synthetic (only 4 qts of 5-40) and a tiny little filter. In Aug '22 (6 months later) Junior charged me $157. A $43 increase for the same service I had done 6 months earlier. I mentioned it to George senior and he said....yah everything is going up. Yes; that's true but not that much. So, I see he condones what his son is doing or just doesn't care anymore. Anyway; I'm done with Santa Monica Brake. Sad. I'm disappointed. You'd think after 30 years and being a source of referrals, would get me loyalty. Also, George and George Jr. are really nice guys. Sad
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November 2022 by Sawyer Fuller
Fantastic work. Referred to me by Stokes Tires (also good people) and they did not disappoint. Fairly priced, kind, I live in Hollywood but I’ll be taking my car here until the end of time :)
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September 2022 by Arthur W.
My go to mechanic. The price is always right and the work is always good! Have never had to go back for the same issue twice.
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September 2022 by Wayne M.
I drove from Austin. Texas and brakes started crunching. I called and was able to take it in for repair first thing the next morning. George, the owner, is very straightforward/no-nonsense and honest. Repair was completed on time and for a fair price. Would recommend Santa Monica Brake Service to everyone.
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September 2022 by Lyndsey Werner
Fast and honest. Came in for something that I thought was going to be a major repair and take all day. They immediately spotted the problem. Handled it in under 15 mins. And with a low fair cost I wasn’t expecting. Will be coming back!Service: Brakes
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August 2022 by Erik C.
My first time ever to the shop. I am impressed with their honesty. I inquired about a service for my vehicle and the gentleman was upfront and honest letting me know it was not necessary. He could've easily told me that it was and made a quick buck off me. Integrity - is exceedingly rare to find. I will come back for any future needs.
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July 2022 by Pary al Zahawi
Absolutely rude and he said he doesn't know Chevrolet a car repair place hahaha
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June 2022 by David R.
I was referred to Santa Monica Brake by a long-term resident of Santa monica. I asked him "what is the best place I can take my car to get fixed?" He did not delay in his answer at all, "Santa Monica Brake!" they were unbelievable! My car was fixed in record time, for an issue which two mechanics refused to even look at! My air-conditioning motor! I have no idea why? But George did not bat a eye; He suggested I go grab some donuts! Instead I walked 2 miles home, and lost some weight. About 30 minutes later I received a call from his son I believe, who explained the issue and said it would be ready at five. Normally repairs of this nature are expensive! I have a Mazda Miata, they are specialized, and weigh nothing. I've found mechanics are the Loath to work on them. Not Santa Monica Brake! It was repaired before five, costing less for the part than expected and the cost of labor was fair and honest!! They have earned my business for life! God Bless you guys!!!
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May 2022 by Jay S.
Love this place. Needed a door lock repair and they were up front with what they could and couldn't do. They looked at it and didn't charge me too find out what they problem was. I am very happy with how fast they got to my car, even though they were very busy.
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April 2022 by Keisha Woods
The mechanics here are all great, they know what there doing they don’t over charge you and their customer service is beyond graceful. I’m so grateful for this business and their services.
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February 2022 by David Hewitt
These guys took me right in - even though they were full. They fixed the car quickly and we’re amazingly inexpensive!I like them.I trust them.