I am a long time resident of Carlsbad and always walk by Dave's. I needed brake service and decided to finally give them a shot. First, the customer service is awesome! Very friendly man helping me out. The price for brakes was reasonable and since I was a first time customer, they inspected them for free. They did not try to over sell me on anything but did mention a few things that didn't fixing/replacing but informed me that it was not urgent. Overall, very happy with my new brakes. The reason they only get four stars is because of how dirty the left my front seat. I have tan interior and when I picked up my car, the seat and seat belt had a layer a film/grease/dirt all over them! I had to scrub my car and luckily it came clean. Also, my glove compartment now opens a bit rougher now than before. I will go back for services in the future. read more

These guys were awesome. I called around town all afternoon looking for a place that could get me in that day for an oil change (and kept being told I should have called ahead and I couldn't get in til the following week). Dave's was able to slip me in between two appointments and knock out the oil change as well as check and make sure I wasn't in need of additional services right before my trip. Will and the rest of their staff were extremely friendly and helpful; I'm absolutely bringing my car here for all future service/repairs! read more

Were they friendly? Yes. Courteous? Definitely. Communicative? Very. Honest? Refreshingly. Fast? Thank God!e' We had an issue with our car's "check engine" light staying on despite several hundreds of dollars in repairs. Since I was leaving shortly for an extended New Zealand trip and was giving my car to a friend, it was important to get the job done and get this car to pass! Not only did Dave's get it done in record time, but they took it to get it smogged and kept the price very low (much lower than I thought). I cannot thank them or recommend them more highly. Absolutely, without a doubt, the best service I have ever received from a mechanic. Apparently, it's not just the name of their business, It actually IS better auto repair! read more

GO HERE!!! I went to another auto repair shop and was VERY discouraged at the high prices...so, I went to Dave's and I am SO glad I did. They are very nice, super honest with you and a lot cheaper than anywhere I have gone to in the past. I highly recommend Dave's for all auto repairs. The owner is so nice and makes your experience in dealing with your crappy car so much better! THANKS, DAVE :)))) read more

I brought my car in because my brakes were making grinding sounds, like metal on metal. As soon as I heard this, I called in the very next morning to see if they could take a look at my car. Junior said it was busy, but he told me he would take a look any way to diagnose the problem. I thought this was great since I had to take a day off work to do this, and they were within walking distance. I brought my car in, and the inspection was free since I was a first time customer. My boyfriend and I went out for lunch and I received the call from Junior telling me that I literally had no brakes left on the right brake. He gave me a quote and it was a little steep, but figured it was the only option since I didn't want to drive around with no brakes and ruin my rotors. We went in to check on my car to make the final decision, and the mechanic showed us the damage. I like that they offered to show us. Other mechanics usually don't do that. So, we decided to have them fix it, and they gave me a discount on an oil change as well, since they noticed I was past the 3000 mark. I like them. They didn't try to oversell on anything and were very accommodating. They fixed my brakes that very same day so I was able to go to work the next morning. Great customer service, and honest mechanics who know what their stuff. Four stars for being a little steep on pricing, but that's all I could really complain about. read more

Really reliable car repair. Trust worthy and speedy. Prices are reasonable. Good location in the village.

I have been going to see Rich at Dave's Better Auto Repair in Carlsbad since 2016. I have taken him to service both my Toyota and 64 Chevy Impala. He has serviced, repaired and performed upgrades to my vehicles that I am very happy with. He has also made recommendations and given me referrals for work outside of what he does. I have been very happy with them. He is totally legit and honest. I would definitely refer him to anybody that needs a good mechanic! read more

Dave and everyone in his shop were friendly, effective, efficient and fair. Dave went the extra mile for us -- and much, much more. Wow. Our Honda Odyssey's transmission failed as we were passing by Carlsbad on the freeway. Relying on the recommendation of a local gas station and the great reviews on Yelp, we limped into Dave's near closing time. Dave quickly ran diagnostics on the transmission (bad news) and rushed to call Honda to see about parts and options before their closing time. He then explained how we might deal with this mess, the possible solutions, what they'd cost and how likely they were to work. We called our local mechanic, who talked with Dave and confirmed what we'd been told. In the end, we elected to have our car towed home for repairs. Dave and our mechanic coordinated the whole process without us lifting a finger; the transfer went off without a hitch. Dave refused to charge us for either his diagnostic work or the time he had spent gathering information and coordinating fixes. Amazing. Every customer who came in while we were at Dave's seemed to be a regular who knew Dave by name (and vice versa) and considered him a friend. Our own mechanic told us he was impressed by the professionalism and expertise Dave and his crew demonstrated. It doesn't get better than this. read more

We were on vacation last week in Carlsbad and our car battery was dead so I called places close by to our hotel since we were going to have to walk to get the new battery . Jose was very nice when I called and super helpful . Their price was cheaper than other local places also so we decided to come here and buy the battery. It's a nice little shop . Clean waiting room. It's a bummer we needed a new battery but I'm glad we found this local place . Thanks Jose ! read more

I really like Dave's Auto Repair. The staff are really friendly and trustworthy. I went in and had some major repairs done (timing belt and rear breaks) and he gave me a break on doing it all at once. When it took more than a day, they offered multiple times to give me a loaner car. I do think that they are honest, and they are a very personable group of guys working out there. I did look online and saw that sure, you can get parts cheaper online and bring them in, but really? I don't know much about cars so I'm not going to go do that. As a result, I understand that I might end up paying more. At the end of the day, the work they did made my car run like new. There was no more funky smell, no more noises as I start the car, really, even my husband wanted to bring his truck in just because. They did that great a job. I am really excited to have a local mechanic I can trust. Plus, they sometimes run ads in the PennySaver and I got a great oil change for less than $25 which is better than what I was paying at the crappy Jiffy Lube!! Very excited to have found this place. I almost forgot! There isn't always someone at the desk. They all work on the cars, but you can usually see people in the work area so instead of waiting at the counter wondering if someone saw you, just pop your head into the work bays and someone will come out to meet you at the counter. I've spoken to both Junior and Dave and they are very professional! read more

Honest and friendly mechanics! I took my car in because I thought I needed brakes and Jose didn't even charge me for a brake inspection! Super cool guys and will vouch for their reputation any day! ^_^ read more

Richard and crew have bailed my wife and I out on several urgent occasions. We both have older vehicles that get abused (driving to Burning Man, for example) and when things go out, they go out in style (and at the most inopportune times). Fixing broken window mechanisms, finding problem in my electrical system that kept draining my battery dry, replacing window washer assemblies - in addition to the usual oil changes and maintenance. Very easy to talk with and they charge fair prices. All of their repairs have held up and our vehicles run smoothly thanks to them! read more

Dave's Auto Service is the place to go!!! I got $1,000 estimate of A/C work from 2 other auto shops. Both said, "Because the parts are expensive..." The most expensive part was $650. I was curious about the price of used parts. I looked online... I found $28 part instead of $650. I doubt if it's work or not but I thought it worth to try... though I got parts other auto shops said, "We won't replace the parts from customers." so I found Dave's auto. Dave was very honest, "No guarantee to work but I will replace these." Next day, Dave told me a good news on the phone...it works! Yap, the total cost, parts & labor was about $350. I saved around $650, I couldn't believe this happened! I thank Dave but he said, "Not me, you decided to do this." I never go back to other auto shops, just stay with Dave's Auto. read more

Excellent,friendly,knowledgeable& honest staff @ a fair price..... Being a senior woman this is a rare find ......Yahoo! Jayne read more

A Better Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Traveling from Arizona to Carlsbad to visit LEGOland the check engine light came on on my 2015 Nissan Quest. I called Dave's and they said to bring it in and they would take care of it. They took the extra time to contact my extended warranty company and ensure all items were replaced and covered. I was able to Uber from Dave's to LEGOland and missed less then an 30 min of the park. The repair was completed and we're headed home tomorrow. Thanks Dave's for the prompt service and great handling of the warranty! read more

I went there today after calling about brakes and an o-ring replacement on the oil cooler the day before. The guy I spoke to on the phone said to bring it in and they'll inspect it for free to see what I needed. I went there today, and they were very professional. They also seemed to know what they're doing. They did try to charge me for the brake inspection, but when I told them that the guy I spoke to the day before said the inspection was free, they were willing to do it for free. There was a price list on the wall, and when I inquired about it, they said that it was left over from the shop that was there before Dave's. How long has Dave's been there? Anyhow, I knocked a star off for their inconsistency. They quoted me a price of $279 for lifetime brake service and $189 for their economy brake service. They tried to just sell me the lifetime brake service right off the bat. When I inquired about the economy service, they said that they didn't know if that included resurfacing the rotors. Really? How long have you worked there? And a shop that still has a pricing chart from the previously failed business really has no business offering any type of lifetime brake service. I also knocked a star off for being on the high side. I suspected the o-ring leak and bought one off ebay (genuine Nissan part). I told them it probably is the o-ring, and that I wanted an estimate to replace it. After inspection, they told me that it was the o-ring (like they discovered it all on their own), and that it woud be $189. Really? I took it home and replaced the o-ring in 30 minutes. I would rate my automotive mechanical skill at 7/10. But I have a 2 and a 3.5 year old, and I find it really hard to work on my car anymore. The guys here did seem very honest, and didn't try to sell me service that I didn't need. If they were more reasonable on their estimates, I would probably take all my vehicles there. I currently take the two Jeeps to the Jeep dealership, but I haven't really found a reliable shop for my Nissan Pathfinder. read more

These guys are honest, hardworking, reliable and they answer the phone. I have tried their patience with several crappy cars and they came back with a smile and shining results. They even refunded me once when I ran out of cash on a car that needed everything, I bought a lemon. Highly recommend if you are tired of being lied to. read more

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Very poor mechanics, I have left the shop with my car not working correctly multiple times now. Last time I had to bring my car back THREEE times for the same problem. After a couple unacceptable "repairs" and talking with the owner, (who has the worst customer service I have witnessed) I have decided to take my car elsewhere. Also Daves is overpriced, which I dealt with because the shop is so close to my house. I would approach with caution for anything more than an oil change. read more

I took my 2008 Toyota Sequoia in for a oil change. Usually I go to dealership but thought I would try Dave's out.... So glad I did, the price was right, the service was exceptional along with the prompt great service. Thanks you Dave and crew, Sequoia drives like new! I will now be going to Dave's with all my vehicles for now on. I recommend this shop A++ read more

Have been a loyal costumer of Dave's for 3 years and they have always taken care of me. Professional, friendly service without any runaround; I won't take my car anywhere else! They care about their customers, Will is always up for a lovely chat when you walk in. I can always trust them to do the best job and have me back on the road in no time. Keep up the good work and thanks for the great service! read more

I owe Dave's Auto service several reviews, but I keep forgetting to write them. They have given me outstanding service on my 1996 Toyota Avalon, which currently has 195K miles. They only repair what needs to be repaired, and they will keep my car overnight just to make sure that a part needs to be repaired--I really appreciate this kind of honestly and I doubt you would get this at most auto dealerships--all they would care about is getting you in and out ASAP regardless of the cost! I have nothing but the utmost respect for mechanic Rich--he is absolutely the best at what he does. And Will gives fantastic customer service in his role of scheduling your service, asking the right questions, and following up. If you are thinking of taking your Toyota to Toyota Carlsbad, give Dave's a call first--you will not be disappointed! read more

I've only gotten oil changes here, but they've always been great. I tried to go to one of the chain lube places for an oil change, but when they tried to upsell me, I knew I should just go back to Dave's! I should note that, as a woman, I kind of dread getting my car serviced. I know more about my car than do most men of my acquaintance about their own and still, mechanics are usually rude and condescending, if not outright trying to scam me. Everyone I've ever talked to here has talked to me straight and been really chill. I appreciate that. read more

Recently went to this auto shop to have my brake rotors resurfaced. Not only was the cost so reasonable, but they went over an beyond in cleaning out my back pads and adjusted my parking break for free.... Will is so very courteous and kind.... My friend went with me and he was very impressed with the way my car was treated that he has now starting going there as well. Great business for sure!!!! read more

The guys here are great! Had my brakes done here for my 2013 Tahoe. I was in and out. Husband went out of town and the teenagers died Escape stopped running in the Carlsbad High School parking lot. Called Will and he was able to get it in and fixed by the next morning. Great service and just nice guys. Any work on cars suck and hate to spend the money but to a neighborhood repair shop that cares how you feel is a plus. read more

Bob the nicest guy! very fast welcoming extremely kind and didn't try to push me to buy anything unnecessarily!

Honest, fast and great at what they do especially with foreign luxury cars. I am so happy I found Dave's!

Wow...couldn't be happier with our experience at Dave's! Definitely believe ALL the great reviews....they are true. We had a problem with our back brakes and Will took great care of us from the minute we walked in the door to the few hours it took to repair the brakes and rotors later that same day. We will definitely be back and highly recommend it for all your auto repair needs! read more

Customer service was amazing, I truly enjoyed how they were willing to show me the exact problem with my car, explained it very well to me and fixed it with utmost haste and care. The people here are willing to go above and beyond, one guy even offered to give me a lift to work when my car was in the shop after my ride cancelled on me. I highly recommend Dave's Auto Service & Repair. read more

Dave's is my Go-to place for all my Honda Civic car needs. Great pricing, amazing friendly customer service and always take care of me. I've come here for literally anything for my car. Transmission flush, oil changes, tire changes, filter replacements etc. They do it all! read more

They are great and trustworthy so I always go here. Brakes were very screeching bad. They charged me only for what I needed back ones. There's also coffee shops walking distance to wait because they work fast. My first car here was Honda 2001 and they could have recommended I spend more but told me it wasn't worth spending money bc it was going to die soon, and it did. My second car was a Santa Fe 2007. Highly recommended. read more

I cannot speak more highly of this place. These are the kindest, most honest people and they treat you like family. I have felt nothing but comfort and ease every time I've brought my car in. They take excellent care of their customers and make sure everyone feels welcomed (including pups!) If you are looking for an auto repair company that will give you fantastic service, in a timely fashion for a great price, look no further! Dave, Lynn, and the rest of the group are some of the most genuinely good people out there! read more

We just moved to Carlsbad and Dave's Auto gave us an accurate, thorough estimate. Both of our vehicles have over 220K on the odometer. We prefer to keep out vehicles as long as possible and just fix them when they break. Finding a competent mechanic is necessary for us. Jerry is the mechanic who did the work on our vehicle and it came in right at the estimate and they actually took money off because we presented them with a coupon after the work was done. Jerry didn't complain that we had the coupon and was more then happy to answer any of our questions, me and my spouse, had. A family member had put new break pads and had the rotors turned on the front brakes of our 2000 Toyota Tacoma. It seemed to work for about a week. Then the brakes started to act up again. We took the car to Dave's and they diagnosed the problem as warped rotors due to seized calipers. They replaced the rotors, calipers and the brake pads and explained everything to us. We tend to ask questions to try and understand the problem(s) the vehicle may have, Jerry was very patient with us and took the time to explain every question we had. They also stayed open an extra half hour so that we could get over there after work and pick up the vehicle. It has been a week since we picked up the truck and the repairs have transformed the vehicle. We have found a great shop and mechanic and will bring our vehicles to them from now on. read more

THESE GUYS DO A GREAT JOB .. Rich was recommended to me years ago by a friend .. Works on all my cars .. Prices are reasonable .. Service is Excellant !! .. I recommend Dave's Auto to my friends .. Thank You read more

I just recently moved to the village. I was in search of a new mechanic. They fixed my AC for 1/2 the amount the dealer quoted me. Will is very knowledgeable and is willing to help without Nickel and Diming you. My wife and I will be bringing our vehicles here in the future. read more

I took my 2000 Mercury Cougar to Dave's when I noticed it revving up really high and shifting hard. I told him that from my research online and speaking to my brother who is a mechanic in Oregon, that I think there is something wrong with the transmission range sensor. He brushed it off saying something to the extent of "I think I know better than Google, I've been doing this awhile," which I understand, however I still thought he'd still at least check it out. After he looked at my car and couldn't find anything wrong with it, he recommended changing the transmission fluid, which I agreed to. He made sure to tell me that it may help or hurt the problem and to see how it runs after a couple weeks to a month. The other option he gave me was to have his transmission specialist check it out, which could get into the $1000 price range, but he recommended just getting rid of my car altogether and getting a new one, so I left planning on getting a new car. I drove my car for a couple weeks after taking it to Dave's hoping it would get better, but the problem still persisted, it wasn't any better or worse. So, I took it to a different mechanic. The other mechanic ran a diagnostic test and found that the transmission range sensor was bad (like I had thought all along!!), and that he could fix it in a couple hours, for only $169!! I had him change it, happy that I wasn't having to replace the whole transmission, or my car for that matter! Since then I've been driving my car for about 2 weeks and it runs great again! So overall, Dave was nice and professional, however in my case they weren't much help. read more

This is by far the best mechanic I have been to in the past 10 years. These guys are honest and fair. They truly have the best interest for your wallet as well as the well being of your motor vehicle. I highly recommend them for any of your automotive needs. read more

I brought my mother's car to Dave's Better Auto this past week. When I got there I was surprised by how quickly I was able to check in and out. My mom said from her experience they seemed very honest and I would definitely agree with that. I had let the guy at the desk know I thought it could be something serious and as it turned out it was only a minor repair. Thanks guys for taking great care of my mom! We plan to use you for all our auto repairs (just hopefully not too soon hah) read more

So happy I found this place! I had a problem with my battery and Rich fixed it for $10 when other places were quoting $115. You've got a customer for life! read more

I got my Oil changed here recently.. Very helpful and not pushy at all. Price was reasonable. Make an appointment.

Truly honest and good mechanics. I brought my Cadillac in for an oil change and they found a much bigger job needed to be done. Their prices were fair, and when the part failed (not their fault) they replaced it and didn't charge me for anything. Lucky to have them nearby but I'd travel for them, too! read more