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    Griffin's Auto Repair

    4.1 (358 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Services - Griffin's Auto Repair

    Auto brake repair

    Auto engine repair

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    Aaron N.

    I came here today to get a coolant flush for my BMW E93. I had been experiencing overheating issues and had gotten a few fault codes on my OBD2 scanner relating to a possible blockage within the coolant system and possible pump failure. I asked them to do the flush. I received a phone call less than hour after leaving the shop. They told me that the engine cooling fans had switched on as soon as the engine was started, and that this was a really bad sign. They didn't give me any actual technical details but simply said that this was bad(which it is). I was already aware of this problem, as my OBD2 scanner had indicated that the coolant pump was being shutoff due to a blockage, which resulted in the car trying to cool itself as much as possible by running the fans at their full rpm. ​They didn't mention anything regarding the pump error codes at this point. Instead, they recommended a pressure test on my coolant system. I agreed knowing that it's a relatively simple and USUALLY inexpensive($80-100) procedure involving connecting a pump to the coolant reservoir and pumping the pressure up to the car's functioning coolant system PSI amount. This allows them to check for any leaks within the whole system. There weren't any. That cost me $193.33 for the pressure test alone. That's literally double what they charge at another shop down the street from them! I get a 2nd call an hour or so after the 1st with no mention of how the pressure test went. It's at this point they mention the fault codes showing up on their diagnostics equipment and make the recommendation that I replace the pump and thermostat(which is the most likely fix for this issue given my cars age, mileage, and the history of pump failures on all E90 series). It's at this point I realize that they hadn't even bothered to run a quick diagnostic on my car's system before recommending and completing a $193.33 pressure test. Knowing this, I declined their recommendation, and asked that they just perform the coolant flush with the hope that it might get rid of the blockage which would allow the pump to run again. I never assumed that this was guaranteed to solve the issue as I had mentioned to them that I may just need to replace the pump when I first got there. I knew this was a common issue with E90s. They told me it was unlikely to work(which it didn't) and that I would eventually just need to do the replacement(which I am). After picking up the car and arriving home, I plugged in my OBD2 scanner again just to recheck what error/fault codes were showing up. While doing this, my car notified me of my battery charge being at a low level. This had never occured before but was also indicative of a common problem that occurs when you bleed the coolant system and run the venting process. When doing this, it's recommended to connect the car to a battery charger because during the venting process, the electric water pump pulls a lot of power from the battery. During this process the engine isn't running. I called the shop to ask if their technician had connected my car to a battery charger during this process. They said that he did. When I told them that my battery was drained they took absolutely no responsibility and instead told me that they would go "check" to make sure that the 2 battery chargers they had were functioning properly and that my battery would eventually recharge itself when it's running...I will never go back here again and don't recommend anyone else does either.

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    1 month ago

    Great work. Proactive communication with me along the way. Highly recommend. Would definitely come back

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Griffin's Auto Repair

    Review Highlights - Griffin's Auto Repair

    Abraham, Richard, Carlos & The Mechanic are four of the best Great Spirits that The most High has created.

    Mentioned in 31 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Select German Car Service

    Select German Car Service

    4.9
    (394 reviews)

    There is nothing more pleasurable and reassuring than having dedicated professionals who genuinely…read morecare about what they do, consistently strive to provide value for money, and keep my pocketbook firmly in mind as they service my car and carefully suggest what I should consider next to keep me safe on the road and the car in fine working order. Tom Ergun is a paragon of all things virtuous; Max is unfailingly driven by customer satisfaction; and the technicians behind the glass screen, well caffeinated and ready to hoist unruly beasts like mine and tamed cabriolets alike to get their respective services done. I have now clocked 184,000 miles on Da Brute, my manual 997.2 C4S Coupe, and I am about to head northwest to Oregon and Washington State before turning eastbound to New Orleans. Knowing that they are on my side, doing what they can to keep me safe on the road, makes owning Da Brute truly a pleasure. And when push comes to shove, the Brute delivers. Recently, it clocked 140 on the speedometer on I-25 from Albuquerque to Denver. What a blast it was. Thank you again, Select German Car Service. You matter, and your service is truly, deeply appreciated.

    I can't recommend these guys enough. Got an older RS7 and they gave me peace of mind. Honestly I…read morehave never been treated better by any auto repair shop, even the "expensive" dealerships. David, Tom and every one at Select were amazing. They were having a taco party one afternoon I brought the Audi over for something quick and they invited me to hang out and eat some amazing tacos. Lastly, you can't put a price on peace of mind and Select gives you that.

    Car Saints

    Car Saints

    4.6
    (16 reviews)

    After my ultra reliable 2012 Toyota Yaris was totalled in an accident, I was in the market for…read moreanother one and ended up finding a used 2016 Toyota Yaris SE that appeared to be in great condition but with high mileage. I placed an order on their website for a pre-purchase inspection and they were able to come out to meet the seller of the vehicle the next day. After the inspection, the inspector gave me a call with his findings and overall impression of the vehicle . The day after the inspection, a written report and a numerous inspection photos were available on the order page of their website. The written report specifically covered the following areas: Road Test, Engine & Mechanical, Suspension & Undercarriage, Tires & Brakes, Exterior & Body Condition. The level of detail in the report and the number of photos provided was satisfactory. Overall, it was a good overall experience and I'm happy with the service provided and with the vehicle I purchased. Why did I not give a full five stars? First, I believe a whining transmission noise they noted in their report was misdiagnosed. It seems to have been caused by the car's AC compressor that progressively whined louder before eventually failing during the fifth drive after purchase. Second, the report indicated that the transmission was leak free but I've found the slightest pooling of transmission fluid in my garage since the first day I purchased the car. Lastly, minor details seemed to be missed like missing roof weather strips/mouldings, a detached fog lamp, and sanding/repair work done on the rear bumper and rear fenders. If they had the means to diagnose the whining noise further and offered that as an add-on package, I probably would have availed and subsequently provided a higher rating.

    I am very disappointed with my inspection today. First of all, I asked on the phone and again when…read morePeter was at the car...if he would inspect under the car. He said he would, but he did not. His version of an under the car inspection was sticking his cell phone under the edges of the car and taking a photo. He certainly didn't crawl under and take a look. He made more of an effort to connect with the seller, than me, the buyer and person who hired him. He completed the inspection in 20 minutes and it certainly wasn't worth $200. It was anything but thorough. He said he was mostly inspecting cosmetics and basic function, which I said I could do. I asked him to share with me what he was inspecting as he went along, and he declined to do that. Honestly, he seemed to be in a hurry. Lastly, although I was told I would be getting all the photos the inspector took, absolutely none none of them are in the report. I do not recommend him and would never use him again!

    Value Auto Repair

    Value Auto Repair

    4.9
    (1.2k reviews)

    After years of looking for a mechanic and only taking my Subaru to the dealership for all repairs…read moreor maintenance over the life of the car (8 years), I decided to take a chance here. I had a great experience with Alex at Value Auto Repair. I originally reached out through Yelp, and he was responsive and answered all of my questions. His pricing was significantly better than what the dealership quoted me, but what really stood out wasn't just the price--it was his honesty. I came in with a humming noise that I believed was a bad wheel bearing but was unsure. Alex was upfront from the beginning after making the same diagnosis and even encouraged me to get quotes from other mechanics if it made me feel more comfortable so I could make sure I was getting a fair deal. That kind of confidence and transparency is hard to find. When I arrived, he was able to get my car in within about 30 minutes to diagnose it. While the part was being delivered, I went to lunch, and once I came back, he had the wheel bearing replaced in about 45 minutes. Before I left, he took the time to show me both the old and new wheel bearings, explaining how they worked and letting me hear and feel the difference. I really appreciated him taking the time to educate me instead of just handing me a bill. One thing I noticed while I was waiting was how many customers came in who clearly knew Alex. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to see him, several appeared to be repeat customers, and there was an obvious level of trust between them. After my own experience, I completely understand why. Alex also has a great sense of humor, which made the whole experience much less stressful. Most importantly, the humming noise is completely gone, and my car drives perfectly again. If you're looking for an honest, knowledgeable mechanic who charges fair prices and genuinely cares about his customers, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Alex and Value Auto Repair. I know I'll definitely be back.

    April 29, 2026 I took my 2018 Forester XT (turbo-charged) to…read moreValue Auto Repair for Subaru recommended maintenance. Subaru requires special oils, and fluids, or the warranty is voided. I wanted only recommended Subaru oils, antifreeze, spark plugs, etc. Value followed the manufacture's recommendations, which I was very happy. The maintenance was done in a few hours. The prices are competitive, but the trustworthiness is superior. This a great company.

    Miramar Auto Repair - Japanese Auto Plus

    Miramar Auto Repair - Japanese Auto Plus

    4.6
    (243 reviews)

    Highly recommend for road trip prep!…read more This is an amazing place to get your vehicle inspected before a long road trip. I booked online, noted my concerns in the text box, and dropped my car off the next day. After checking in at the office, I walked Joey through my concerns and opted for a Post-Purchase Inspection. Joey sent over the findings quickly and gave me his honest, upfront opinion on what needed immediate attention before my trip versus what maintenance could wait until I reached my destination. He also provided a clear copy of the inspection quotes so there were no surprises. In the end, they completed the full inspection, replaced the car battery, and fixed a coolant leak for around $550+ (including taxes). I definitely recommend this shop! Pro-tip: Try to get there early in the day, as on-site parking and road traffic can get a bit hectic later on.

    Bottom Line Upfront: Miramar Auto Repair is one of the best values of any auto shop in San Diego…read more Jason and Pedro were exceptional in taking care of me, and finding a solution to a very technical challenge. I brought in my Honda Ridgeline for an issue with my AC. Jason worked with me at the front-desk and went above and beyond to understand my issue and the troubleshooting I had already done. He explained to me CONCISELY what the feasible issue may be, and how they were going to approach a diagnosis. Jason was extremely knowledgeable, and followed up promptly to discuss the fix. Pedro was also exceptional. He found the issue (rodent-chewed wires) and repaired it perfectly. When I picked up my car, he was as excited as I was to have helped me. Before Miramar Auto, I took my truck to the Honda dealer, and they charged twice as much for a diagnosis, only to tell me that I would need a new compressor (incorrect diagnosis) and that it would cost twice as much as I ended up paying out the door at Miramar auto. I couldn't believe how easy Miramar Auto made it. To say that Jason, Pedro, and Miramar Auto are honest, fair, and made me feel taken care of... would be an understatement. They have rightfully earned another lifelong customer. Thank you Miramar Auto!

    John's Automotive Care

    John's Automotive Care

    4.7
    (476 reviews)

    The best place in San Diego! If you want honesty, come here. Dave is my immediate service manager,…read moreand he always comes through. I've been using these guys for about five years and never disappointed. Highly recommended .

    Surprise $$$$ John's Automotive Up-charged me once I arrived. I walked out. Shame on these guys…read more They'll take you over the coals with Upcharges and work you don't need unless you do what I did, and that is to walk out and bring my business to an honest shop. I had no idea this was the same people as I had got a [crazy, inaccurate] quote from in 2018. I was quoted over the phone that a complete diagnosis would be $109. They had the make and model, knew it was a truck so should be no surprises when I walk in. RIGHT? wrong. "We like to get paid for our time"; dude at the counter. Then don't misquote customers in the first place. His excuse was, "well, we have to check the back of the truck too". Lame. Posted: are the two quotes for a diagnosis, one from John's and the next from a shop that I won't share here, where my truck is currently being serviced. Further, let's go back a bit in history. In April of 2018 I visited John's location on Riverdale in Grantville. My truck had registered a check engine, which turned up regarding emissions. What did "Johns" say and quote me? " Well, Toyota Tundras have four catalytic converters so you are looking at $3,270. out the door, you need to replace these, then you'll pass smog, clear emissions ". Problem: they got it way wrong: the 2000 Toyota Tundras have TWO catalytic converters mister grifters. After that B.S. I left. [2007s - present have four converters, so ketchup Bubs!] Next, I left and went to "Cardiego" on Adams Avenue. The owner checked the emissions signal and said, " all you need is your drive cycle reset. One hour later and $90. dollars later the work was done, truck passed smog and no more emissions issue. It was my mistake that I had no idea that this same outfit had a second garage in La Mesa, had no idea I was walking into the same line of talk and walk. I expect that the owner Mr. Joan will comment here something like this, " I am sorry you seemed to have this experience, because we don't have a record of you in our system " hmmmm... My response [following my laughter] is this: on 4/27 your computer generated the quote that I have posted here. It generated the information you had on my vehicle back in 2018 because you have my old plate number of 6E71244. So Jon, don't try to tell me you never had me in the "system" because if you had not noticed, I now have personalized plates, I haven't had the 6E7... plates for a while now. To be clear: my Tundra is the best year that was produced, it has been cared for only with master techs, and runs perfectly. Word to the wise: My recommendation is to go elsewhere to take care of your auto. **My truck needed the lower front ball joint replacement in the front only. The shop I went to even took out the $57. diag charge since I had the work done with them. It is silent and smooth as usual. There was no noise in the back and a quote on a diagnosis means you quoted me on a diagnosis of the entire vehicle. Bogus, no: I never "authorized" more diagnosis work. Just a foolish response below.

    La Jolla Mobile Auto & Truck Repair

    La Jolla Mobile Auto & Truck Repair

    4.9
    (279 reviews)

    Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Aaron was incredibly friendly and took the time to…read moreclearly explain what was going on with my car, even showing me the issue so I could understand it. Kassandra was also very welcoming and thoughtful, she even recommended a small bakery nearby if I wanted a comfortable place to relax while waiting. As a woman, it can sometimes be difficult to find a mechanic you feel comfortable with and can trust not to take advantage of you. This was absolutely the best place to go,I felt respected, informed, and completely at ease throughout the whole process. Overall, an AMAZING experience. I truly appreciate the great customer service!

    Are you going to warranty issues that arise to the switching to an oil that would void a mfg…read morewarranty? I bet not! Higher viscosity leads to higher pressures which lead to seals leaking and failing. I'm really surprised you haven't researched this. How about the leaking oil filter a day after install? Seems like a sure way to get more money outta a customer once their engine gets starved of oil. How about the sloppy work with oil left all over my car? Lack of care and integrity. How about the scratches from resting my tires on the paint of my car? Lazy and inconsiderate. Pulled from the article that copied and pasted "Engine Design Changes: Newer Toyota engines are designed with tighter tolerances and specific lubrication needs that necessitate these thinner oils, such as OW-16 or OW-8." Exactly my 2019 Lexus ux250 is a newer Toyota engine if you weren't aware , so why are changing it?

    A Street Auto Service

    A Street Auto Service

    4.7
    (153 reviews)

    HONEST, HELPFUL, COMPETENT, DILIGENT, KNOWLEDGABLE, AFFORDABLE & RESPECTFUL. All of these qualities…read moredescribe the people and service provided at A Street Auto Service! In an industry that's routinely diminished by unethical characters looking to take advantage of customers, I can say with confidence that they are the most honest and transparent auto service business I have ever dealt with. The biggest indication of this was the fact that they answered all of my questions honestly even when those answers weren't necessarily to the benefit of their business. Whether the question was about pricing, needed repairs, the purpose of running certain tests, and/or how long a fix might take, I never once felt unsure about the validity or truthfulness of what they were telling me. I've lived in San Diego for almost 30 years and have lived downtown for half of that. They are the best auto repair shop in the area without a doubt. They were able to repair my BMW 335i(E93) in a day! It's running great. I also appreciated the constant communication throughout and even after the whole process. They actually care about their customers! They will be my go-to auto repair shop going forward. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a hassle free, no BS, fully transparent and honest auto repair service. Thanks for the wonderful experience!

    I had a very disappointing experience with this shop. I brought my car in because of a check engine…read morelight related to the EVAP system. After inspecting the car, they told me the issue was the fuel filler neck and quoted me about $746 for the repair, even though the part itself costs around $150. The price seemed extremely high for such a repair. What made the situation even worse is that after waiting about a week, the problem still appeared again from the same area. Instead of helping or rechecking the issue properly, they continued to ask for more money. As a customer, this feels very frustrating. A repair that costs a small amount for the part should not suddenly turn into such an expensive job, especially when the problem still isn't fully resolved. I would recommend others to be careful and always get a second opinion before agreeing to repairs here.

    Mobile Mechanic Services

    Mobile Mechanic Services

    4.4
    (173 reviews)

    WOW! WOW! WOW! 10/10 Ricardo went well above and beyond. I can't recommend him enough…read more My daughter is currently going to college at UCSD and had her starter go out. Im the kind of guy that is able to fix things like this but hard to do from so far away. It's hard to find a trustworthy mechanic especially so far away. Not only was he able to come out and diagnose the problem the same day but he was able to order parts and repair it quickly. It was a tough starter change due to the location and having to remove the manifold ect. I know because ive done it once already and its a very complex repair. The parts cost more than anticipated due to the extra gaskets and coolant needed and he still honored the original quote. We gave him extra because of all the extra work he did. He topped off her break fluid, air in the tires, gave it a once over to make sure that it was tip top shape. Also gave my daughter an education on her car. Even took pictures of all the parts and video of it running smooth. As a father it puts me at ease knowing that I can call him in the future I wish I had mechanics like him closer to me. EXCELLENT JOB Thank you so much! GREAT JOB

    Shady company. Asking for money before they come and when I don't want to pay he texts " we don't…read morefeel comfortable looking at the car you have anyways" Happy to take my business elsewhere. Car mechanics are a dozen a dime. The car is at my house. I happily offered to pay upon arrival or before he disclosed the diagnostics results ( which seems fair to me I don't have free money to Venmo night prior to someone I don't know) but I then received the very rude text. Again, take your business elsewhere.

    Griffin's Auto Repair - autorepair - Updated August 2026

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