We popped into Daves just before closing time today for a special request. He and his entire staff were super accommodating and were able to help us quickly and effectively. They are honest and good people. I would definitely recommend :)

The owner is honest and upfront. He was thorough with his diagnosis of my cars trouble and explained in an understandable way. And how much it will cost me. I appreciate that.

I stopped by this place on my way to work for an oil change and a tire rotation. When I came back to pick up my car, I noticed that my tires weren’t rotated. I could tell by a scratch on one of my rims. So I called back asking if they had rotated my tires and I was told that the mechanic said he did. Not only that, but when I picked up my car I also noticed that I had cash missing from my glove box!! The owner checked the camera and saw that the mechanic never rotated my tires. The mechanic STRAIGHT UP LIED about rotating my tires. It was also stated that I would receive a free tire pressure check and two days later my low tire pressure warning came on in my car. So he obviously did not take the time to fill my tires either. I appreciate the owner Rich for having me come in and reimbursing me for the tire rotation I didn’t receive and trying to make it right. But this place advertises itself as the “Home of the Honest Mechanics”. This is clearly not the case. I do not ever plan to return to have my car worked on by these clearly untrustworthy mechanics. If you actually intend to have the work done that you are paying for, I recommend you look elsewhere.

Came in on a Thursday morning needing to travel back home Saturday (6 hr drive). They were able to identify the sound I was hearing as a bearing that needed replacing. They were effective and replaced the part and had my car back to me Friday afternoon. I enjoyed talking to Roberto, who drove my car with me to identify the issue, and Jose, who called me to talk me through what work needed to be done, the cost, and the timeline.Definitely recommend them👍

These guys really helped me out! Had some issues with my truck and being new years eve had some issues finding a repair shop to take a few minutes to let me know of my car was drivable. Within 30 minutes they checked it out let me know what was wrong and said they would stay late to fix my car. Couldn’t of appreciated it more! Truck is running great, completed right on time and paid exactly what i was quoted.

My car broke down on a road trip, but I was lucky to stop at this shop. They ordered the necessary part, installed it and I was back on the road in only a few hours. Everyone was super friendly and professional, and the service was fast and accurate.

.Richard provided a quote and fit my small job in the next day. It was done correctly and at a very fair price. I would recommend this shop to anyone.

Great local shop. These guys try hard to find the issues and fix it right. BTW I have a 72 Mustang so repairs are not always easy and locating parts can be challenging...these guys were great servicing my car.

Brought my car here about a month ago after it failed to start. Richard was professional and courteous when I dropped it off. They diagnosed and fixed what ended up being a relatively simple problem with minimal delay, charged a reasonable price, and its been running great ever since. They didnt do anything that would incur additional costs without confirming it with me. I dont live in the area, but if I did I wouldnt hesitate to come back.

Daves worked on my Astro minivan saving me hundreds of dollars in upgrades and minor repairs. Fuel filter replacement, new shocks, tires, heater core valve that cracked before I made a trip to Vegas. Their mechanic even found a simple broken plastic hose that stopped AC to my front vents which the dealer said was an inoperable fan under the dashboard. Ive been upgrading a Benz I bought in the south county with a specialty repair shop or I would have had Daves (Rich) replace the transmission mount, belt tensioner, vacuum pump, fix the evap code... In any event, I am bringing my tacoma into the shop for replacement of mounts and shocks because I miss the breeze that blows through the bay in the summer!

I have been going to Daves Better Auto Repair consistently since I moved to Carlsbad Village 5 years ago and will remain a returning customer b/c they are honest men who take care of my car well. I have built a good relationship with them and appreciate the time they take to make sure my car remains in great shape. Thanks Men!

Fast and friendly service. Highy recommend.

My Prius wouldn’t start. Can’t open the back door where battery is located, as it is electric and car is dead. I called Dave’s better auto and Rich drove down to help me! What a lifesaver. This is the first time ever that a service man has ever come to my location to help me! Kudos to Rich and his amazing service! Bring you car here for any service. They are always polite helpful speedy and cost efficient! Thank you!!!

Mechanics seem to be good at their work and they dont seem dishonest, which is good, but they are wayyy overpriced. They charged almost $200 just to remove a car alarm on a car I just bought, but I didnt have much choice, as I had a dead battery, which I replaced with a brand new one, and still had to have the car towed somewhere within 20 miles per my insurance plan. They charged me $175.50 for their services being removal of a car alarm. I picked Daves at random and because they had good reviews, but I will definitely go elsewhere next time so long as I have a choice. They also mentioned that I had an oil leak, which was true, but they werent sure where it was coming from and that it could have been in one or two different places. They would need to run another diagnosis and charge me for that diagnosis, too. They said one of the two possible areas in need of repair might be an expensive $500 area, and the other possible area might be much cheaper, but again this wasnt a confirmed diagnosis - only a possibility, to be fair. They would have had to further analyze. I actually have already found a new shop as of yesterday, a very female-customer-friendly one in business for over 25 years located on Car Country Rd, and they fixed my oil leak problem for only $80!!! no added diagnosis fees. So Daves Better Auto Repair is still a rip-off like so many California mechanics. Steer clear of them if your money doesnt grow on trees.

I’ve had a positive experience each time and they work with my tight schedule while I get to wait for most minor repairs. I’ve had transmission fluid drain with oil change and brakes/rotors done to my full satisfaction.I have 2014 Prius-V Wagon with 138k miles and running strong. You can also tow or drop-box the car the night before if needed.

They diagnosed my truck for free! Super chill and easy to work with. I’m from outta town and was in a bind but didn’t get taken advantage of despite the situation. They were awesome! Glad to know I can depend on a mechanic shop so near our summer vacation grounds.

When I take my car to Daves, it feels personal - not like an assembly line.Its a smaller operation and they care about doing a good job. Once driving home after an oil change, I thought I heard an engine noise. I called and they asked me to bring the car in immediately so they could check it over thoroughly. Which they did, and it was all fine. I liked the way they were thorough and direct, and immediate. Very different from dealerships and other larger operations.3 years later: Under new ownership, amazingly enough, they continue to be 5 stars in my experience. Took the time to educate me about my own car,

Rich is the BEST!! I had taken my car to multiple shops and they were not able to fix the issue I had with my Fiat. I was at my wits end and dreading taking it to the dealership to have my wallet gouged. Rich figured out the issue and had my car back to me in a few hours at a fraction of what the dealership would have cost! I always love supporting small business and this family owned shop is the only place I will bring my car from now on!!

They were super honest and I really appreciate that! They were the closest shop to me and I brought my car over to be fixed. They noted it was the muffler and said they could do it but another shop were experts in mufflers and could do it cheaper. Kudos for not taking advantage and being good neighbors!

Amazing and fast service! All employees I have met there are more than willing to answer any questions and they genuinely have your best interest at heart... This place will never try and up sell you and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to have your vehicles checked or worked on! Also very reasonable prices!

Best auto mechanic shop in town. I now live in San Marcos, but I still make my way to Daves Auto. The prices for services they offer are much better priced than other mechanic shops in town. There service is top notch and reliable. They tell you and show you what needs to be done on the car. They really care about their customers and want what is best for them and their cars. By far the best, best priced, honest, and reliable auto mechanic shop in all of San Diego.

You should all ask for Richard. My dad, does the best auto repair work in a timely manner. Always recommends what is best for your vehicle. He is no cheap shot. Also, Will is a very good front desk worker (very talkative) and Wyatt gets along great with the customers.

Had our brakes seize up while on vacation, and Daves did our repair in one day. What a vacation-saver! Prices seemed reasonable and they provide a 12 month warranty

My husband and I have been taking our Toyota Corolla here for over two years for maintenance and have always had a great experience! They tell you what needs to be done, what should be done in the future, and discuss with us so we can prioritize. They work quickly so we can get our car back same day even when working on multiple things at once. This is our go-to mechanic and we highly recommend!

I’m one of those people that I hate to let other people in on a secret, in the fear that they’ll raise their prices. Took my BMW 2003 SUV to a BMW dealer and to Two other shops to fix a light issue on the brakes. Noone was able to fix it. Dave’s fixed it by just screwing in the Light bulb. INSANE and they saved me $500.

I recently inherited a car, that had an A/C issue. I brought it in, and expected to hear that it would cost hundreds and more to fix. Rich checked it out and ended up simply rebooting the cars computer which reset the blending on the vents, taking care of the issue. Ive brought in my 1994 Ranger as well as my 2013 Lexus 450H, for regular maintenance and when things needed repair. Always with great results. Will is always helpful, and friendly checking the vehicles in and out. Highly recommend these guys !

Will and the guys at Daves Better Auto are a breath of fresh air. With all the fear associated with this industry, they were honest when they could have easily charged us to take our car apart.We look forward to coming back for our next service and referring you guys to all our friends! Thank you

I had a unique situation and they handled it well and got me in the next day for an 8 hour job. Friendly staff and fast service. I would work with them again.

Please, dont go here. I am a long time Carlsbad resident and was referred to this place by my ex-husband, who is also a long time Carlsbad resident. I brought my newer model Ford SUV into this shop, and told them I thought the car needed a new starter. He told me the car would be fixed by noon the next day. The manager called me today, and said he didnt think the starter was bad, that it was something else. I would need to pay for diagnostics, along with the new starter. I literally walked down to Daves Automotive after I asked him to test the starter I originally have. When I got there, I walked back with the manager and the mechanic, Rich tested the original starter and it was good. Rich told me I would need to pay labor for putting in the new starter and removing it. I said no, you should have diagnosed the repair before you put in a new starter. That is your job. The previous day, I have been picked up by someone I work with. The mechanic started to spout out racial slurs about my friend, calling him a female and identified his race in a derogatory manner. The manager managed to calm down the situation, and we finally agreed he would put in the starter that does work (my starter) and take out the new starter they were going to charge me $300 for. I got an agreement, in writing, where the manager said he would run a diagnostic on the electrical system and give me the cost of the repair, and tell me what is actually wrong with my car. This was after he called the owner, Dave and Dave said, he needed to make it right. I got a call a few minutes ago from Dave, the owner from his cell phone. I calmly told him the situation, and that I had an agreement in writing that diagnostics would be run on my vehicle and given to me. Dave refused to run the diagnostics, even though I reminded him I have a written agreement, and told me I could come up and pick up the car at 5:00 pm, unfinished with no diagnostics run, and then he hung up on me. I am going to contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and the Better Business Bureau to report this type of conduct, and irresponsible business practice, at the very best. One reviewer on Yelp said they left the shop, humiliated.

Dave is nice. Ill give him that. But there were so many things that went wrong, not only for me, but also for my boyfriends recent repairs. Here is a short list of things that happened:Work on boyfriends car which required some work around battery: they didnt put it back together appropriately, so the car failed to start.After we jump started the car and took it back for a more thorough look, they left a tool under the hood.On my car, they said my back brakes were dangerous and needed replacement. They replaced the front brakes.After doing work on the timing belt on my car, the check engine light continued to go off intermittently.After doing the work on the timing belt, the debit card payment did not come through for several weeks. I called them and said I thought something might have gone wrong, because it looked like I had not been charged. We worked it out, but I wonder how long it would have taken them to notice that they didnt receive my payment.Though it was probably unrelated to their service, my engine broke down several months later. I cant know if the breakdown was related to something they had missed. I just know that nearly everything they did for me had to be redone by someone else. Not cool.Their attention to detail is too imperfect for me to justify going back.

My car only needed an oil change, but they did a full diagnostic, checked all fluid levels, etc. The price was very affordable for full synthetic and Will took great care of me. I even got to meet the owner, Dave, before leaving. He is an awesome guy and seems like a genuine, straight shooter. Ill be back for sure!

Always a great experience having our cars serviced at Daves Better Auto. Will is very conscious about finding cost effective solutions and his team works on the diagnosis rather than just throwing parts at problems and running up the bill. Been bringing cars here for close to 10 years. Wouldnt go anywhere else.

Daves Auto Service & Repair is great! They dont take advantage of people and they charge fair prices. I highly recommend this place.

They were awesome, so thankful

I have used Daves auto repair for my Lexus for the past 5 years because they have proven to be knowledgeable, trustworthy and fairly priced.Especially in comparison the the dealer! Thanks guys!

I had a total brake job done on my 1984 Mercedes a while back. I recently had my brakes inspected by the dealership. I was told that after market brake pads were used after I had been told that only the highest quality parts would be used. I was totally disappointed by his untrue assertion. buyer beware. Frank

These guys charge $150/hr for labor lol.What a joke my lawyer doesn’t even cost that much!!!

Owner is easy and helpful person ,he will listen car problems for free

Affordable and honest, I always go here when I can.

They were able to inspect and service my car within a day! Good prices and honest people.

Daves was recommended to me by a friend and I was very satisfied. They fit me in on the same day I called for an oil change. When my car was in need of some other maintenance they were very honest about what could and could not wait. I will be coming back.

Outstanding service, attention to detail and always will to help is why I have no problem referring my family and friends to Daves Better Auto Repair. They are rock stars and make me look very good in the referral.

Honest and knowledgeable guys

Very cool people. Had an inspection done for a vehicle i was going to buy. Helped and explained everything so i was capable of understanding. Now im buying the vehicle and getting work done on it through Daves.

Very Polite and helpful. They did my oil change in a timely manner. I would recommend Daves Auto Service & Repair to all my family and friends.

Finally found an honest auto repair shop. Dave and Will are two owners/mechanic with integrity and explained to me in plain english what my car needed. Thanks Dave and from now on all my auto work will be done at your shop.

Dave, Will and the crew always treat us right. We have taken our 3 cars here for the past 5 years and they save us money. Soo much cheaper than the dealer and they always tell us what we need vs what can wait, then give us the best deal they can. Trust...its the reason we keep coming back.

I had a 2004 Mazda6 and it was having issues with the clutch. I took it in several times to the dealer and they couldnt find what was wrong. I send lots of money on it and still no solution. Within one appointment Daves Auto solved the problem at a minimal cost Thanks Dave!

Rich is excellent. I would definitely recommend

Best service I got, will was very nice and explained everything that was being done and why, best service I got in a shop

I had my vehicle inspected some months ago. He confirmed things I was suspecting. He was honest and didnt try to rip me off or lie to me. I highly recommend.

My wife has been taking our cars here for oil changes and has always been treated with respect, honesty, and fair prices.

Good guys, I was new to the area and needed a Break Job BAD...they had me fixed up and back on the road and the price was fair...theyll see me again

Daves Auto provided quick, fairly priced, experienced help, and got us back safely on the road. If I was not traveling Dave Auto shop would definitely have me as a customer.

Fast and easy Smog test

Honest and very friendlyRichard was very helpful

Great service and prices! Highly recommend it!

Customer service is great, their prices are fair and the work is always professional.

Good guys here and explained repairs very well. Will come back with my other vehicles.

I went in expecting a $400 bill, but I left with only a $100 bill.

Disappointed in follow up service. Staff change.. never notified -n not told of inability to provide promised parts/service.

Honest and detailed

Professional, Fair, and Convenient.