There used to be really honest and hard work done here. Over the last 8 years or so, the quality of the work has gone downhill. Before relatives moved, they had work done for their road trip. Whoever was hired did a shoddy job and my family had to fix the problem where they moved. The owner of C.A.R. was informed. My husband and I started to go to him and we liked his honesty. However, it became clear he was overwhelmed with the work load, especially at his age. It would take days for him to fix our vehicle, and whoever he did hire didn't do a good job. This meant he often worked alone or with only one other guy. Queue to the last 3 years and any time we tried to get work done, the business looked closed. I tried calling. No answer. Then suddenly, the shop is back open. Ok. Great. Not so great. Just as quickly, the shop kept looking closed. Every once in awhile while doing errands, I swear the shop is open. Yet, no one answers the phone. It's very bizarre. Many have reported it closed, including myself, before I noticed the short periods of time where the business appears to be open. It's just not worth it. We've been going elsewhere. We are limited on where we can go since we only have one vehicle, so walking distance is a must. Right now it's Pep Boys for oil changes, and Motion Tire II for the rest (GREAT owner). read more

I have been taking cars (old and new) to Ben for the past 15 years. Always a good job and he is a very knowlegable and friendly guy. I would not hesitate to speak with him about something you want to have worked on. If its not his cup of tea, he will give you advice, good advice actually. I've never been disapointed. Repairs, to weilding to smog, you name it. Ben rules. read more

I am 90 year old women and took my motor home to Ben at Certified Auto he took out the smog device so I couldn't get it fix, he bullied me, called me names and refused to fix it. he took my motor home and parked it on the street. I am sure that half the reviews were written by friends because it looks like the good old boys club there Good luck if you go there read all the reviews not just the ones his friends write read more

Ben is an amazing mechanic who truly is honest and know that your time is valuable. Not only is his reputation great, but his certifications are top notch as well. He's been serving Ventura for over 25 years, has worked on my Toyota Forerunner, my Honda Civic and my Ford Super duty BoxTruck. If you want a Ventura local business owner to treat your vehicle with care and efficiency, this is the man to go to. read more

I love this auto place most honest place ever try to do my own repairs at my house totally messed up my jeep he didn't even charge me to figure out what my problem was once he figured out and fixed it that's what he charged me for best place ever read more

I brought my RV in to be smogged, it was not passing so they tried revving engine for prolonged time which helps pass. the coolant hose came loose & spilt the coolant, the RV overheated & we could not continue with the test. The RV needed a diagnosis, I waited 4 days for a diagnosis. I was told that it could be the radiator, they did not know & could not repair there. I was then told he put in a new thermostat & that was not the problem. i did not approve any mechanical work to be done, and now I am being charged for the work + new thermostat + non diagnosis of the problem 4 days later. I now have to tow the RV to a RV repair shop to diagnose & repair. I had planned on returning to this smog place to get smog, however, the owner 'Ben' was defensive & making communication complicated, he became agitated & told me "im not going to argue with you" (im not sure what about) & then told me "you need to pay me for the parts & work ive done, i wont allow your RV to be towed as is - i still have parts all over the place!" and on top of that, he doesn't have time today to put whatever he did to the engine, back together again in time for my tow. THEN he refused the return smog service out of nowhere! "i was trying to be nice, just come get your rv, pay me & i will not do the smog i have decided" so now, not only has this guy wasted 4 days, put in a non approved part, taken my engine apart with no diagnosis-refuses to put back together in time for tow, he wants me to pay for it all. then he hangs up on me, and wont answer phone. My experience with this shop owner, Ben, from the beginning felt complicated, the communication is defensive & abstract. Nothing straight forward about it - I will have to call the police to meet me at his shop, show my paperwork that says "overheated when smogged" & my tow request to get it out of his garage - and i still dont know how much he is thinking to charge me, no direct answer just defensive, confusing communication this is the facts of this encounter. read more

Ben is the best. I have been bringing my Olds here for years for smog and everything else, needing work now and then, and at Certified it always works out. I would just never be tempted to take that old car anywhere else in Ventura. read more

Don't go here. EVER. Horrible customer service. While I waited and watched no masks or social distancing between the two gentlemen but had my car door wide open with his cigarette in hand trying to read my VIN and when I said that my whole car smells like cigarette smoke he told me to go somewhere else, called me vulgar names and threatened to hit me if I didn't leave. All because I complained about his guy making my car smell like cigarette smoke. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY - they are higher priced anyway for a smog. 60$?! Go somewhere else I promise. You're welcome. read more

Very knowledgeable and friendly really helped me out. Definitely best mechanic I have ever had the pleasure of using

He fixed my car at the time I requested and even called the next day to make sure it was doing well as it is an older car. Great service!

Been taking my cars to Ben for years. Ben does an honest and thorough job every time. If something's not right, he fixes it....I've recommended him many times. Tough to find an honest mechanic...glad I did. read more

I've been taking my cars to Ben for years. He's a quiet assuming fellow with a wealth of automotive service expertise packed into his head. I've never had a problem with the work done or the prices charged for it. I like to refer my friends to Certified Auto Repair because they'll stay my friends after they get their cars worked on here! read more

Took my vehicle there for a smog test and he failed it erroneously. Then, he didn't have paper or ink in his smog report printer so he couldn't even give me a copy of the report so that I could "remedy" or take it elsewhere! Eventually he told me to sue him and I left. Zero professionalism. Will file a report with the State of California! Take your vehicle elsewhere and save yourself the hassle! read more

I been going to ben for years he is very honest. I recommend him very highly. My daughter goes to him too and she's very satisfied with his work and his honesty.. read more

2 weeks ago, I went to 'smog4less' on Ventura Rd,Ca; for a smog test on my '98 BMW; the gentleman there was very courteous and pre-tested my car with his monitor and mentioned that there were 3 'error codes' that need to be taken care of; he then referred me to his friend @ 'certified automotive repairs'. I met 'Ben' at this pace and he seemed very jovial and 'friendly' and quoted $200, to look into these 3 error codes; the next day,he called me in the late afternoon, and said that the car needs a 'lot of work' and that it would cost me in excess of $1500, in addition to the initial amount of $200, for the 'diagnostics; I was totally shocked and I told him, that I would pick up my car the next day; when I met him Saturday morning, he was a different man; no smiles and no hand shakes; he was very curt and not very friendly; i did some research on line, and found another smog place and got the job done for half the cost..!! .The tech. @ the 2nd shop was shocked to note that I was charged $200 for just the diagnostics..!!! Needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed with "Ben", and I would not recommend this place for smog testing !! please do your own research and don't be fooled..!!! read more