A Japanese car, truck, van -- needs to be treated with TLC. Most Japanese cars, if you treat them right with regular maintenance, will give you a long and beautiful life. But the ones serviced at Cal Auto Service don't just live the longest -- they're the happiest. People wonder, "How does your Toyota/Lexus/Subaru/Honda/Acura last so long?" Simple: it was serviced and taken care of by Peter, Brian, and the rest of the team at Cal Auto. This spotless, comfortable shop in Santa Ana, Orange County redefines what a mechanic should be. The owners and employees treat every Japanese car like their own -- doesn't matter the age, the tech, whether it's fully loaded or stripped down. You feel like the world's top surgeons and the world's greatest detectives are working on your car, making sure it leaves better than new. The consistency is the cherry on top. You'd think, "I'm only getting this treatment because it's my first visit." Nope. It's white-glove service every single time. Spotless bathrooms. Water, hot coffee, snacks. A waiting area that's actually comfortable. This place makes the dealership service center -- or any third-party mechanic -- feel out of vogue. Like Latin: a dead language. And there's total transparency. A full, honest explanation of what's working and what's not. This isn't the dentist who tells you your mouth is full of cavities because he wants to drill his way into your wallet when nothing's actually wrong. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is how Cal Auto rolls. They'll give you honest recommendations and an accurate forecast of what your vehicle has ahead of it. And if you just want an oil change and nothing more -- they listen, and that's exactly what you get, with the proper care your car still deserves. And if you're still not sold -- Cal Auto uses only the best OEM parts for your vehicle. They will never, ever bolt on some knockoff third-party Amazon part or rig your car up like Frankenstein's monster just to get it sparking and running. This review is based on 15 visits over four years. I always felt assured that my vehicle and my wife's were in the best hands -- from routine oil changes to actual car emergencies. They never wasted my time, and never wasted theirs. Every question gets a real, thorough answer. I drive 45 minutes from Los Angeles -- a city where mechanics are a dime a dozen -- just to go to Cal Auto. And honestly, anyone in Southern California -- San Diego, Orange County, LA, even up to Santa Barbara -- should be making that drive too. That's the price of admission if you want the holy grail of auto shops. A true diamond in the rough. read more

CAL Auto Service is hands down the absolute best auto shop in the West. Peter and Bryan have always taken care of us like family and that's something you just don't find anymore. Honest, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and always going above and beyond no matter how big or small the job is. You can truly tell they care about their customers and the work they do. We'll are and will continue to be customers for life. Highly recommend CAL Auto Service to anyone looking for quality work and people you can trust. read more

Honest mechanic shop. We have been coming here for years and have recommended family members. OEM parts are used and prices are transparent. You get the service as you would for a big car dealership but this is more personal. There is a small waiting area with coffee and a tv while you wait. Bring your laptop if you need to work. read more

I am very happy with Peter and Bryan's work. Very honest and trustworthy people to keep my 2016 Camry running smoothly on the road. I came here with a list of recommendations from a well-known tire company shop for them to look at. After the inspection, Peter took me over to look at my car. He showed me the areas that supposedly needed work. He explained everything thoroughly and reassured me that my car was in good shape. Other than the mandatory smog check and regular maintenence, my Camry was doing well. They saved me a couple hundred dollars! As a woman, I appreciate their honesty. Bringing my car here for maintenence from here on out. read more

Cal Auto saved me from buying a problematic used car from a local lot. I took it in for a PPI and they were able to quickly determine that I should pass on the car. Would definitely recommend for pre purchase inspections. Thanks guys! read more

Finally found an honest mechanic, actually 2, the owners of Cal Auto, Bryan and Peter. It's great to know my car is in very capable hands, and the cost of repairs will be reasonable. Thank you so much fellas. See you in 5,000 miles. read more

I was recommended this shop through AAA. This is the best auto shop I've ever been to. My transmission fluid was leaking and my car would not accelerate properly. Had to tow my car here and they were able to fix the issue easily and at a very reasonable price. This is definitely my new go-to. He even tipped my tow truck driver for me! Will be coming here for all car maintenance here on out. read more

Amazing service, great prices, and super friendly staff! They're always willing to help and explain car issues in a way that's easy to understand. Highly recommend! read more

This review is long overdue. For my first visit, I went to CALs for a smog check. I was calling around the area to get the most affordable deal. While others were discreet with me, CALs was pretty straight forward with me on the cost and how long it would take. My second visit I went in for a throttle body cleaning. They found that the air intake throttle body hose was cracked. For what I assume is now years, my car was running weird and when accelerating it would struggle. No other mechanics found that issue...now my Honda Civic 2015 runs so smoothly. It feels like new! Highly recommend them! read more

Terrible customer service. Technician didn't want to give me a quote for a diagnostic because it's too much work.

Was recommended this shop on clublexus. I had my transmission fluid replacement on a Lexus RX350. From the moment I made the appointment, Bryan was very honest and transparent. Got the car back at the expected time and is running very smoothly. Whole process was very efficient. Will be back in the future. Highly recommended. read more

I would definitely recommend CAL Auto to others. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and they explained everything clearly. They are knowledgeable and professional. read more

Been going here for 5 years for various reasons from oil change to brake replacement and I have 0 complaints. Things that need to be fixed will be fixed. Things that don't need to be fixed yet will be left alone. No upsell no bs just honest people doing honest job. read more

Forgot to leave a review the past few times, but I have had nothing but good experiences with these guys. Brought a couple cars here for various reasons and each time they are super informative about the issue and will be honest about the repairs. First time I came here I brought an older civic with a head gasket issue and they were super straight up, letting me know the repairs weren't worth the cost. Any other place would have just charged me and called it a day with no second thought. Will definitely be my go to mechanic as long as they're nearby! read more

My family and I came in because we had a feeling something was up with our car. The customer service was fast and enjoyable. When we picked up the car, the owner was very nice and honest about what went wrong. He showed what was wrong and explained very simply how this would affect your car. The price was very reasonable, cheaper than the dealership! My family appreciates his honesty and would really not cheat you out. We will definitely come here from now on! read more

I took my car in because my A/C had been down for a while and as soon as I told Peter (owner), he immediately told me my model has extended warranty because the condenser in those models are known to fail. He told me it was an expensive repair and said to take it to a dealer and they would fix it for free if it is the condenser. Unfortunately, it was another part but I was able to work out a heavy discount with them through Honda Goodwill Assistance. I feel like every other shop would have just worked on my car and I'd have to pay full prices. Peter ultimately saved me thousands of dollars for this repair. So although I haven't had work done by this shop, I would definitely be coming back for any work/maintenance and I recommend you do as well! They deserve it for their honesty and professionalism. read more

Super trust worthy mechanic several friends and I all use them. They are extremely honest and will literally tell you to fix only what's truly needed. These are Amazing! Would recommend them to anyone. read more

What can I say about finding a good reliable place that has professional mechanics you can trust. Peter and Brian are just that, two professional mechanics that I am blessed to have found. Time and again, Peter has made recommendations that have saved me both time and money whenever required repairs were still covered by the manufacturer warranties, which he always considers first, based on the year of the car he is servicing. Then as far as their work goes, top notch quality work. Sometimes it might seem like it's expensive but when researched and compared properly, cost based on quality of the completed work, it's always worth every penny and more times than not, inexpensive when compared to the level of quality you're getting done to your car, which should be your top priority as your car is meant to keep you safe when you're driving it and reliable to get you through your travels and safely home. If there were 10 stars to rate them with, I would give them 10 stars, that's how important the safety and reliability of mode of travel is to me and the people I love and that's how much I trust the work they do. read more

The service and attention to detail is outstanding. Peter and his team went way above and beyond to troubleshoot the problem and make recommendations. I highly recommend this company. read more

High praises for Peter's customer service - my grandfather has been coming to CAL for years as Peter is able to speak in Vietnamese. We were about 38 miles away when his car's engine suddenly lost power and wasn't able to accelerate well. Peter graciously waited for us 40 minutes after the shop closed for us to come by and drop off the car. He also was able to do service on it within 24 hours. Prices seem very fair too and he did a thorough check on the car while only suggesting to fix things that were necessary. He was super communicative too. I would highly recommend the shop to anyone in the area based on how well they take care of my grandfather! read more

I recently took my car to Cal Auto services for some checkups, and I couldn't be happier with the service I received. From the moment I walked in, the staff was friendly and professional. They took the time to thoroughly explain the issue with my car and provided a detailed estimate of the repairs needed. Throughout the process, they kept me updated on the progress and even finished the work ahead of schedule. The quality of their workmanship is top-notch, and my car is running better than ever. What impressed me the most was their honesty and transparency; there were no surprises when it came to the final bill. I highly recommend Peter to anyone in need of reliable and trustworthy auto repair services. Also, free and DELICIOUS coffee options at the waiting area. read more

CAL Auto Service - Waiting area - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Ana, California

First time here. Great experience. Definitely recommend. Peter was very courteous with setting the appointment for me. Spacious organized parking. Clean comfortable waiting area which is thoughtful of customers needs. I was able to work very comfortably there. Peter provide explanation of what was needed to be done with recommend and option was thorough and super helpful. Excellent customer service all around. read more

Peter helped me, he is very knowledgeable and honest and will not try and sell you something you do not need like a car dealer will. They replaced my front disc brakes & rotors on my Toyota Camry with genuine Toyota parts. The job was excellent, no more shaking of my steering wheel when I stop at speeds above 50 mph. It is hard to find a great auto repair shop these days that is both honest and reasonably priced, this is a gem, all my car repairs will come here in the future, thanks again. read more

They truly deserve 5 stars - they match Corner 3 Garage for Customer Service, being kind, wanting to explain details to you (they showed me air filter that we were debating of replacing), etc Started cause a friend of mine went to them with a non-starting issue and they didn't charge him because there wasn't something that needed a serious fix. Gave me a huge vote of confidence. Complimentary car wash and ride Good waiting area with coffee and snacks read more

I brought my car to CAL Auto because the under carriage had come loose and was scraping every time I drove over uneven road. When I came in, I was greeted by Peter, and I explained the issue to him. He took my car in, and after taking a look, he told me it needed to be replaced. He explained to me in detail how it happened, and how I could prevent it from happening in the future. He ordered the part that needed to be replaced, and it was delivered shortly after. I think the whole process took less than an hour, and it was definitely a reasonable price. Peter looked over my car to make sure there were no other issues with it (there weren't). I also had a few other questions for him, such as why my air conditioner made a noise when it was on, and why the hood of my car bounced when I drove it on the freeway. He gave a detailed explanation about the air conditioner in a way that I could understand, and adjusted my hood a bit so that it didn't bounce so much. I have never received such amazing service, and will be taking my car to CAL Auto from now on. Great value, great service, great results! read more

I've been taking my cars here for the past 3 years and they always do a great job. Peter and Brian are very knowledgeable, honest, and trustworthy mechanics. They explain everything thoroughly and let the customer make the decision without being pushy or trying to upsell services. The best part is that they do all this for less than what dealerships charge. At this point, I trust this shop more than the dealerships to work on my cars so I would definitely recommend them if you need work done on your car. read more

Peter and Bryan both have been big help to me. Whenever I call, there is someone always willing to help. With the amount of cars they work on a day, they will make sure to have your car checked and done efficiently and effectively. Peter has also been very communicative with me, giving me updates and making sure to clarify any questions or concerns I may have. Small touches: I also enjoy how Peter trains his son, occasionally his son Kyle will give me the update on my cars. They also have free wifi, snacks, drinks, and streaming services. If they're not busy and you're around the area, they'll give you a ride. Excellent service and amenities. Super clean as well. read more

CAL Auto Service - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Cal auto service, very responsive, knowledgeable, and professional. My vehicle had to be towed , so I just picked a authorized AAA mechanic. I am so glad I found them. I have found a mechanic I can trust; they were efficient and they went above and beyond to take care of my vehicle. Great service and great value. Thank you for your workmanship and skill Peter and Brian , your the best! read more

I went in for a smog check and did not have to wait long at all, they walked me through every step. The pricing was reasonable and the service was amazing. They gave me all the proper information and papers, thank you! read more

I have never seen any mechanic shop that can even touch their expertise, professionlism and respect, including dealerships. Their prices are fair and far cheaper than dealerships but with far better service, professionalism and respect. If you in the area you would be silly not to use their service. If I could I would give them 10 stars. read more

Another quiet day working in a spotless waiting room at CAL Auto for my 5000 maintenance and new brakes. WiFi is awesome as I forgot my WiFi card and had a boat load of work to do while I wait. Peter is his usual happy welcoming self. This is the ONLY place I feel comfortable getting my car service by honest people and quality service. Thank you again, Peter for keeping me and the kids safe on the road read more

Honest and dependable! Plus prices are great! Very professional and friendly service. Finding a dependable mechanic can be very tricky.

I been coming here for years ! And I use to work with him at a dealership. Bryan is he's name ! He's very knowledgeable about auto motive. He has a great team. Great service . 10/10 Communications 10/10 Customer service 10/10 Knowledgeable on parts 10/10 read more

Excellent shop to bring your car, fair price quotes, and that you'll be taken care of no matter who walks in the door. I promise you'll leave satisfied... I use to go to the Mercedes dealership for everything. Then one day a good friend of mine recommended this shop. He told me "why not get a second opinion on the work you do on your car". I said "Sure I'll check it out". I went that following weekend. Peter was the one who help me as I walk in the door, he reassured me on every questions I had. Told me what needed to be done and what not. By the end of that discussions, I'm glad I came. Now ever since I've been coming here. I told all my friends too and none of them has complained. That's how good this shop is! read more

Came here for an oil change, new brake pads, headlight restoration, and smog check. Peter and Bryan are super friendly and helpful and they have great prices for their services. They tell you what needs to be done and don't try and sell you unnecessary services. My windshield fluid was low and they topped it off for me without me asking. They go above and beyond for their customers. Definitely going to be my go to spot for all my future car services and needs. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! read more

Peter and Brian are the best!! They always take care of me and are so knowledgeable about the work they do. I trust them 100% when it comes to my car and will continue to use their service. Lucked out finding cal auto! read more

great service, quick , affordable prices. They don't try to upsell anything else and just remind you on what needs to be done. I would recommend this place 100x over. best service in OC read more

My Honda Accord suddenly had my engine light blink over the weekend where I couldn't drive it at all and I needed to get my car fixed ASAP. There were tons of auto shops around the area and was never pleased with the service. Luckily, CAL Auto Service was just down the street from where I live and was able to bring my car in on a Monday which is a pretty busy day for them. Towed my car in, they had ask me questions about the car and boom, they were able to get me answers and a reasonable price of how much to fix my engine. Waited only 2 hours for them to fix it (compared to 4-6 hours from dealership wait times). They even had a nice lobby to where you can be able to do your work in the meantime which is rare to see at other smaller auto shops. Peter and his colleague that day truly helped me out since my car has been driving like nothing has happened ever since the fix. I appreciate the help and would highly recommend you to get your car fixed here if you ever need auto maintenance, auto mods, etc. Thank you again for your trusted service! read more

I had an emergency brake situation that was unsafe and needed immediate attention. CAL auto was recommended to me through my AAA Club service, and I'm so glad we chose to go there. Even though it was already 3 o'clock on a Saturday, they accepted my car for inspection. I was fully prepared for them to tell me they couldn't fix it that day and they'd have to resume on Monday, but they were wildly quick with their service and got it done in 2.5 hours. I was sooo thankful to have such a great experience with a mechanic I've never been to before, they treated me with the same care and consideration as a returning client. I was able to safely drive my car away, same day. Thank you to their whole staff for the fast, friendly, and fairly priced service! I had a phenomenal experience I will always be grateful. read more

Took my uncle's car in last month as the tire monitoring system kept telling us there was a tire with low pressure. They took very good care of us here. So thorough. read more