I needed a smog check for a BMW i3 which is an electric car but also has a small gas backup motor. I couldn't find a local shop that was able to do the smog check, including a local dealership. When I brought it in they were momentarily stumped (where is the gas engine?) but they were unfazed and figured it out in such a quick, professional and friendly way that I could not have been happier. read more

Took my car to Carl's Muffler expecting to buy a new muffler. Mario was honest and offered to weld the punctured area first. In and out in 30 minutes. Amazing customer service. Very kind. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Very capable shop. The service and price and attitude was the best. They are friendly and do good work

I've been there twice over the last several months and so far they are 2 for 2. I described my issue, they quoted me a price and then completed the repairs well on time. The staff is very knowledgeable. I'll be using again in the future. read more

We have Carl's (Mario & staff) do all of our exhaust work on our classic cars. The work they perform is excellent. Mario makes sure that our mufflers, resonators pipes are factory correct. His installations are the best we have ever received in our 40 years of restoring classic cars. We also have had mechanical work done. They rebuilt the front end of our 67 Camaro convertible. The shop that performed the alignment afterwards said that Carl's work was perfect. We highly recommend them. Best exhaust work in all of Santa Barbara County and SLO too. read more

Carl's Muffler Shop - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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The hardest part about car maintenance is finding the right mechanic to do it for you. I researched some muffler shops around Santa Maria and called around to see who would be able to install a new muffler onto my 2005 Infiniti G35 Sedan. They would have to cut the old one off and install new hangers and weld a custom pipe to fit the muffler that I wanted installed. Most of the shops didn't even bother giving me an estimate over the phone, but Mario at Carl's Muffler Shop gave me a ball-park figure of around $60 without looking at the car. Sounds great. I asked when the best time is to get this done and he went ahead telling me that I could come in right as soon as we got off the phone if I wanted to. Unfortunately, that timeline didn't work for me, but he just said show up when he opens shop ON A SATURDAY. Not many Mechanics are open on the weekend. I show up and the shop looks amazing. A little waiting room with a TV and Magazine selection. I asked if I could just wander around and watch him work and he said no problem. There was another worker named Sam who did the welding and fitting, while Mario made the custom piping. They were both professional and easy to talk to. I asked about some fluid coming out of the Mid-Pipe that I had custom built and installed in a different Muffler Shop in Arroyo Grande, and they informed me that they didn't do the welds properly, but they would be glad to re-do them for FREE. The whole operation took about 30 minutes from the time I drove my car onto the lift to the time I drove it out of the shop. I've never seen any pair of Mechanics work more efficiently. Mario and Sam are wonderful and I will definitely be bringing my car back for any future repairs or upgrades. read more

Carl's Muffler Shop - This is my car on the lift inside of the shop. - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Maria, California

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Great service and communication. I don't have a lot of knowledge when it comes to cars and they answer every question I had in detail

My brothers car was leaking oil so we called around to a few mechanics in the area. Carl's muffler shop was the only place that was able to get us in the same day. They ended up having to order a part but they were able to overnight it. They fixed the issue and were kind enough to explain exactly what happened. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and the cost was very reasonable. If you need a good trustworthy mechanic then call Carl's muffler shop. You won't be disappointed. read more

I've used Carl's multiple times over the years and have never been let down. The prices are always fair and the work is done right. I've had them do custom setups on my BMW's, aftermarket bolt ons on my Audi and returning both setups back to stock and it's quick and easy every time. Whenever I or someone I know needs exhaust work done I recommend Carl's. read more

Carl's Muffler Shop - Aftermarket 42DD exhaust/muffler installed by Carl's - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Most honest and reliable muffler shop around. Can't pass smog? Mario and his team will get you to where you need to be. Thanks for the great customer service from the time we drove up until we drove away. You all were great! Thank you read more

Thanks you guys! Called on a Monday morning hoping they'd be able to squeeze me in for an appointment (which they did) after previously showing up to a different muffler shop down the road for a scheduled appointment which had the lights off and nobody was there. Carl's Muffler Shop got my resonator delete done in sub 30 minutes and did a great job. read more

Good workmanship, seems the only one working on Saturdays. Descent people doing descent job.

I want my money back, I drove all the way From Santa Barbara to have you fix my van you made it so I could not install CO 2 sensor, not sure what you did but could not remove the old,,, bad job In Santa Maria read more

Mario does not accept his mechanics mistakes when they damaged my radiator breaking a piece of plastic that the mechanic leaned on with his knee and broke it. Mario said it was brittle and said for me to buy new radiator and he installed free. Now he removed the timing chain cover gasket due to leaking antifreeze. He didn't tell me to put new timing chain and sprocket so I didn't. I drove on highway and car jerks hard due to timing jumping. I called him and he said he doesn't want to fix my car and just hung up the phone on me. Carl's Muffler does not own up to their mistakes. I do not recommend this place. read more

AWESOME! Nissan wanted $3500 plus to replace "bad catalytic converters".....they weren't bad; just some other issues.... Carl's fixed it for 1/6th the price and car runs good; at least for a car with 200,000 miles. Thanks read more

I loved the service I got from Carl's muffler. We walked in without an appt to see when we could have the muffler looked at. He said come back in an hour which we did. He said he could replace the entire muffler or solder the tear in it for a lot lesss. So we chose the soldering.He fixed it while we walked down the block to lunch.That was a year ago and things are still great. Great place read more

I took in my truck to get a cut out installed at 8AM and they told me it would be ready in 3-4 hrs. I called 5 hrs later and they did it would be ready before closing. I call at 4:50 Pm before closing and they tell me it won't be ready until 8AM the next day. So I go in the next day at 8 and they say it won't be ready for another hour it's currently 9:30 It's still not ready. I'm confused read more

The mechanic here is extremely kind, reliable and trustworthy. He has always done a great job working on my cars, and is the only mechanic I've trusted to come to for the past 2 years read more

Went there today. Very impressed! Had my truck done in an hour & was under $200. They do good work and are very busy so parking is kind of a bitch. read more

Came here on a recommendation after I started hearing an exhaust leak on my car. Went in and got an estimate to repair and I liked the price so I asked for an estimate on an aftermarket exhaust. Fair price there as well. Went to pick my vehicle up and Mario informed me that my final cost was actually cheaper than the estimate!! Will definitely be coming back here for automotive needs. read more

Real deal here. My old Lexus SUV was making a horrible creaking noise when it accelerated and I took it in and they were able to give me a general idea of what was wrong and what parts to buy online at a cheaper price. Took it back in to have it fixed and they found the real problem, an extremely worn gasket and replaced it quickly and at a fair price. Very fast and friendly service here. They're extremely busy so it's recommended you call to make an appointment. read more

When I called I was told to come on over. My car was up on the rack with in 10 minutes and I was shown what the problem was and how much it would cost. Mario did the repair in less than 15 minutes for a very reasonable price. From phone call to fix was less than an hour. I will definitely go back when I need it!! read more

Just replaced my catalytic converter here for a decent price, super chill and helpful People. My car runs like a champ again.

Thank you Mario for being open on a Saturday. I came here because I bought an exhaust for my car and needed it to be modified. I called and Mario answered the phone and was enthusiastic. He was able to put me in for 10am appointment. I told one of his worker named Adrian what I wanted done to the car and he delivered. Mario and his crew are good people. They were very easy to talk like you have known them for a long time. Not only do they do muffler, they are a full service shop. They even do engine swaps. I got an estimate on other jobs I needed done and they were price reasonably. I will definitely come back here. read more

Wow just gotta day wow. The owner himself took care of me. Super fast service very friendly and very knowledgeable. I give this place and A++. read more

Carl's Mufflers is top notch! Mario has gone the extra mile to fix my car's exhaust system. I live in the country and my car has some unusual problems because of a long, steep, rocky driveway. Mario was always quick to get me in and persevere until everything was working right. He even managed to diagnose and fix a problem that was not part of the exhaust system. Carl's Mufflers is courteous and professional and I highly recommend them. read more

Everyone knows that it's difficult to find a mechanic you can trust. I can honestly say that I trust the employees at Carl's Mufflers. My scion overheated one day and I ask my brother where I should take my car, he recommended these wonderful people. I was hesitant at first but within a few minutes of meeting Mario and his team and I felt confident they were going to do their best to take care of me. For the first time ever in my life, the quote they gave me to fix my blown head gasket, was actually a little more than what it ended up being! AND the cost to fix is was about $600 cheaper than the other place I got a quote from!!! It took only 1 week to fix, mainly due to having to send out the gasket to be worked on. They originally thought they were going to have to replace my spark plugs as well which was on the quote, but after looking at them, they said they didn't need to be replaced so they left them alone! Now any other place I have taken my car, would have replaced them and charged me double! Hats off to the wonderful team of Carl's Muffler's, I will be bringing my car back for oil changes and anything else. read more

Finding a honest mechanic isn't easy. After spending my last 4 years in LA getting swindled by mechanics I have even more of a distrust. But Marco at Carl's Muffler Shop is a saint. I went to go home after work on Thur. and my car wouldn't start. I had bought a new battery before coming to SLO so I new that couldn't be the problem. I knew I had problems with the connection with the battery before so I called 3 different shops near my parking lot offering to pay if they wouldn't mind coming and just tightening the bolt on my battery. Everyone declined except Marco. He came down and found out my bolt was totally stripped. He went to the nearest parts store, bough a bolt, returned and bolted it to my battery. My car is working great. Due to my sincere lack of understanding he could have sold me any kind of story, convinced me to tow my care and maybe replace my fan belt too (last mechanic). But, he didn't. He was kind, honest, and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him. read more

Mario is a great mechanic and his staff and are so honest and sweet that they make you feel like part of their family right away. Mario is honest and will tell you the truth about your car problems. He does not joke around and is very straight forward when it comes to his work. if he does not have the machine to fix your car he will always find the way to fix your car faster than other mechanics. He is an A+ mechanic. read more

Thank you Mario you guys did a great job on my tow package and quick service !!!! Will recommend your shop.

I have had work done by Carl's Muffler Shop on my 1972 Jeep Wagoneer multiple times. It is hard to find anyone who can work on a carburetor that old, but Mario has someone who did a great job. Then later, when the jeep wouldn't start I took it in again thinking the carb needed adjustment. Mario diagnosed it as the cam that turns the fuel pump. Replacing that would mean getting into the engine or drive line involving a lot of labor and expense. Mario suggested switching over to an electronic fuel pump. The part was about $40 and the cost of labor to install it was fair. Mario could have just told me I needed a new fuel pump and made a lot more money. Instead, I spent less using his suggestion. I will be back again. read more

My O2 sensor was not seating properly on the catalytic converter and I was quoted $50.00 to replaced the screw nuts(oxygen sensor bun) on the catalytic converter. When I went back for the appoinment, I was told that they cannot weld on the catalytic converter because the process of welding would be TOO HOT on the honey cone inside the Catalytic Converter. Now they said it would cost $145.00 because they need to take down the catalytic converter assembly. I agree thinking they already have my car on the lift and its Saturday. They end up welding shut the original nuts, to plug it( I guest the "TOO HOT" on welding on the Catalytic no longer apply). They didn't take down the Catalytic assembly but drilled a hole on the muffler pipe below the catalytic converter to weld a new nut(or O2 sensor bun). The charge totalled $91.64 (labor= $80.00, Parts = $8.00, HazMat = $3.00, Tax = 0.54). They din't charge me the $145.00 because they didn't have to take down the whole assembly(this is rightfully so because it was no reason to take it down). From the beginning, I went there because I was told/quoted $50.00 and to just come in and they would fit me in the schedule) thinking rightfully so that it was an easy fix. If I would have known that it would cost me that much I would have just bought the welder and have my own tool to fix myself. After the work and much to my surprise they check for OB II code(good service I thought but have me wonder why). Test result now showed that "Heater on upper O2 sensor" and could not be erased(it is odd it cannot be erased). They asked for $65.00 to diagnose, I refused. I would never go there again. read more